As I was writing my blog yesterday, I forgot one important component of the planning, packing, and loading aspect of camping. I am not the only adult in our house participating in these activities the day we leave. This morning as we were preparing to head out, I quickly remembered how having a second set of hands is both a blessing and a curse.
As the clock ticked ever closer to our prospective departure time, it seemed we (and by “we” I mean Steve) kept finding more stuff we needed to bring with us. Now, don’t get me wrong. I adore my husband. He is probably the most honest and genuine person I have ever known. But, he is cautious and protective. He loves gear and gadgets meant to make life easier and more enjoyable, but when it comes time to leave he can’t necessarily recall what he has or where it is. Consequently we have approximately 5,000 bottles of sunscreen and insect repellant…all of which I’m sure are in either the car or the camper right now.
In the chaos of trying to get out of the house, with two people trying to collect necessities, we’ve in the past forgotten important items. I’m currently wondering if this will be the case today because as we’re in the car and driving now, we just had this conversation.
“Do we have enough propane canisters?” Hubby inquires.
“I believe we have about six canisters in various stages of emptiness. That should be plenty,” I reply. Then a thought occurs to me. “Did you pack the camp stove?”
His vacant stare is my answer.
“Isn’t it in the camper?” he asks, his tone dripping with desperation.
“I don’t know. Since we didn’t open it, I am not sure. It wasn’t in the garage?”
“I didn’t look for it,” came the answer.
In trying to keep with my “what’s the worst that can happen” mindset, I made the conscious decision not to fret about it. We may or may not have the camp stove, which we will need to heat the foods I prepared in advance because of the fire ban and the fact that the propane canister on our camper has been empty for years. (Do not get me started on that topic.) Either way, I am sure that our weekend will be fine. We will merely be eating a lot of cold sandwiches rather than hot food. We’re not going to starve. It’s just a small hiccup in what will otherwise be a great weekend. At least, that’s what I am telling myself as I recall the large bottle of sweet tea vodka I do remember packing before we left.
Live Now and Zen 
Vodka. Smoothing out situations since, well…. however long it’s been invented.
You should make a list. Patt of the fun though might be dealing w/the item(s) you forgot.
Have a great time.
“We don’t remember the days, we remember the moments.”
A phrase on a placard on the kitchen windowsill, one of my “mantras”, and something I live by (and have blogged about).
The time we went camping and brought no frypan. We drove up to the Grand Union in Warrensburg and bought this Silverstone skillet. Turned out to be one of the best frying pans we ever owned, and it became so popular with the kids they each wanted to take it with them when they moved out.
The time when my wife and I went for a day visit to her sister’s and decided spontaneously to drive down to Newport and tour the mansions. No hotel reservations and no clothes. We found a vacancy at a Holiday Inn, and went over to a department store to buy a change of clothes and a toothbrush to share.
Live NOW. And zen!
Paz