Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wheelbarrow campouts

We came home from church last night to our first power outage in this house.  I generally think blackouts are kind of fun, but then again, I've never had to deal with one for more than a few hours.  I'm sure I would think differently if it went on for days or weeks like some people deal with.  Anyway, my oh-so-smart husband bought a night light several months ago that automatically comes on when the power goes out and can be used as a flashlight.  So there's no shuffling around looking for a flashlight because it's the only light in the house that's on.  Great idea whoever came up with that one! 
We used the nightlight to find a couple of other flashlights.  I'm not a big fan of candles, but we lit the few that we had received as gifts.  Then we remembered our camping lanterns!  We were given a couple of really nice rechargeable lanterns a couple of years ago and we have some smaller ones too.  So we got into our camping boxes and found more light.  After calling the power company, gathering more blankets for the bed, and making sure that we had an alarm that would go off, I started getting ready for bed.  Then the heater came on- bummer, the blackout was over.  I turned on the lights, got ready for bed, blew out the candles, folded the extra blankets, and laid down for the night.  But I couldn't sleep...
Using our lanterns and digging through our camping boxes made me long for a good campout.  It won't be long until it's warm enough to camp around here, but we may not have much time for it until the summer.  Then my mind turned to backyard campouts.  I've always liked the idea, but we've always lived where neighbors could see us and that's just seems a little weird to me.  But now, oh my, we have a nice BIG yard where no one can see us!  Why hadn't I thought of this before?!?
My mind started thinking of all the great spots on our property where we could clear a tent pad and set up camp.  It has to be a spot where we can't see the house or the road.  Shouldn't be too hard.  We can grab our tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, lanterns and a book or game, put it all in a wheelbarrow and wheel off to our campsite!  I'm getting all excited just thinking about it!  Friends and family could join us if they wish, we could roast hotdogs and marshmallows, oh I could go on and on!  I laid awake for quite awhile last night thinking about all this.  I ran my wheelbarrow campout idea past Josh this morning and he was all for it too- of course he was, that's why I love him so!  We have been missing being outdoors and this will be the perfect solution until we have more time this summer.  Anyone want to join us?

2 comments:

Shelly said...

Now that is the kind of camping I could actually enjoy! I'm OK with being in nature as long as there is plumbing nearby (and bug spray availible and a spot you can avoid contact with the sun). Enjoy your campout!! Whenever I get out there to visit you guys- I'll even join in a backyard campout!!

Thomas, Becca, and Bailey said...

Sounds like fun! Thomas and I have joked about camping out in our backyard, but we're never quite sure when the sprinklers come on and our neighbors would be able to see us!