The Most Memorable Camping Trip. Ever.
What a weekend! Thank goodness I left work early, because the traffic on I-25 was stopped just outside of Castle Rock - and we were headed way past Pueblo! Jason was able to guide us through back roads all the way to Pueblo, where we met up for a late dinner. He's doing well, but I can't help but wonder about him. He and I are so similar that it scares me sometimes - guess it just runs in our blood.
Walsenburg proved to be a longer journey than expected, and we arrived at camp well past sunset. The tent went up in a hurry in a clearing that had been de-cactified prior to our arrival, but somehow that still didn't stop me from running right into one in my flip flops less than 10 minutes after we pulled up! Cactus needles have poisons in them, at least some of them do, and my foot was instantly swollen. I couldn't even pull the needle out with my bare hands! My foot fell asleep and Cara's dad had to pull out the needle with PLIERS! Lesson #1 - no shower shoes allowed at camp. A few beers later, everyone was in bed and the camp fire was out, so I spent some time star gazing and taking in the velvety blackness that surrounded me. I could feel the stress ebbing away with each breath of smogless air I inhaled.
On Saturday we went for a long ride on the 4-wheelers, collecting firewood and checking out their new land. The sun fried my skin to a deep and tender crisp throughout the day as we took a trip to the breathtaking (literally - freezing cold!) reservoir at Lathrop State Park and played horseshoes during the windstorm. Lesson #2 - wear more sunscreen with a higher proof, especially if it's the first sun exposure of the season. Saturday night there was a thunderstorm that boasted lightening and dumped hail onto my unsuspecting tent, and I half-slept through the whole thing with a smile on my face. It was fabulous.
Sunday dawned with Cara getting sick, so I spent the entire day 4-wheeling with her brother and mom. We went to this amazing canyon and hiked through some of the rock formations. It started to rain later on, so we retired to the camper to watch White Men Can't Jump. Someday I'd love to own a 5th wheel camper like that because they're so convenient. On my way to bed that night, I got attacked by a bat. No kidding! This bat dive-bombed me three times while I was trying to pee! It was eerie because I could hear it squeaking and flying way above my head, then all of a sudden it would whiz past my face with enough proximity that I felt the air move around my head. Too close for my comfort, that's for sure.
Now I'm exhausted and I can't wait to crawl into my nice soft bed. *lazy grin* Nite nite