I Don't Like Backpacking

I didn't think I did, but for the sake of saving my kids' lives, I went. Rick was determined to take them both backpacking whether I went or not. I tried to convince him to only take Millie, not both of them. I pointed out that it was going to rain and they shouldn't go. His response was they will be fine, I want to take them and it is only a 30% chance of rain. He would repeat this last statement about 20 times during our 2 day adventure. So, once I realized that my numerous rational concerns to him taking both kids backwoods camping was falling on deaf ears, we headed to the store to make sure I had all the necessary supplies...my own pack, sleeping bag, pillow and mat. It saddened me to think of the wonderful 5 star hotel room I could have gotten for less money then we just spent on these supplies so that I could sleep on the ground. I kept telling myself that this was good for the family and that I should try to be a part of this experience.

We, meaning Rick, finally got all of our supplies loaded in our 2 packs and we made it to the trail head in the Great Smokey Mountains. It was about a 4-5 miles hike to the camp site and we made it there in just enough time to set up, make supper, get water, have smores and get to bed. I need to point out that it was drizzling rain the entire time and I kept suggesting that we should not camp because it is going to rain. He just repeated: It's only a 30% chance, it's not going to rain, it's almost over.

Rick had a hammock he planned to sleep in and the kids and I were going to be in the tent. Thus, we had 3 sleeping bags, 3 pillows and 2 mats (Reed didn't need one with his super fluffy sleeping bag.) I wasn't sure if Reed would be able to settle down with Millie and I on either side but he eventually did, after about an hour of singing, jabbering, asking what we were doing and telling us good night. At one point he sang his entire ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star both of which I had no idea he knew. During this hour long serenade, it began to rain harder, and harder and harder. Rick was still sleeping in the tree and I was wondering how wet he was getting. I just assumed he kept telling himself: It's only a 30% chance, it's not going to rain, it's almost over.

Rick finally had to admit defeat and come in the tent. His hammock was slowly turning into a swimming pool and he didn't have his snorkel. Well, this put our tent in the overcrowded category and just pretty much sealed the deal that I wouldn't sleep that night. Without going over every detail, the night basically lasted forever, I sat up most of the night because I didn't have room without laying against the wet tent walls and I just kept telling myself that it could always be worse and the rain would probably keep the bears away.

We made it out the next morning and to the truck by 10:30. The rain still had not stopped but it wasn't raining hard enough to totally soak us on the 5 mile hike back to the truck.

Driving out of the mountains I had time to think about the past 24 hours...
- I will tolerate hiking and I will tolerate camping but mixing the 2 together puts me in a true state of misery.
- Peeing in the woods, in the dark, during a rain storm is not my idea of a good time, especially when it happens twice.
- Dehydrated camping food is actually pretty good, I recommend the lasagna.
- My kids are total champions and they did so well on this less than perfect trip I could hardly believe it. Millie walked the entire way and Reed walked about 85% of it.
- I should have known that any adventure that did not accommodate me taking my camera could never lead to anything good.
- Although I totally love my kids...and Rick...I can think of about a million and one better things to do as a family than backpack in the mountains. If Rick ever invites me to do this again I will beat him with a rubber hose.