Some things I learned while camping....

I learned that Daniel's last name is NOT Boone....do not follow him on a trail and expect to get anywhere but lost.

I learned to carefully check shoes because scorpions are a real thing.............

I learned that I should have brought more clothes pins...........


We should have brought a better bigger trash can, Daniel should have brought two pairs of pajamas or NOT used one for swimming.....I learned that helmets and seat belts are more comfortable than a stretcher (thanks to the 911 Ambulance Driver's 'Garden Club wife' for this one), bring some rain ponchos from the dollar store and buy some yummy suckers for walks.
Also, call before you haul. In other words, don't bring your horse all the way to Pedernales without calling cause the trails just might be closed.
Get up early and sit on the picnic table if you want to see lots of critters.
Stay on the path.
Have at least 900 pictures on your memory card if your vacation is 13 days long.
Come out of the door REALLY quiet right after your husband hangs up 3 bird feeders.........
You don't have to go to the top to have a good time.......(referring to Enchanted Rock)

I also learned that I would rather go camping with our kids than fix up our house, eat better during the year or have a nicer vehicle. All the money we spend on camping is worth every cent. We paid double gas this trip so we could take a camping trailer graciously loaned to us by PaPa and Granny, we ate lots of ice cream, lots of snacks, drank lots of pop and went to places that cost $$. I'd rather take a hike than wear brand name clothes. I'd rather have my kids with me than anybody else in the world........we all had a great time with each other. I'd rather my kids have fun in rocks, sand, dirt, flowers, big skies, trails, water, gravel, picnic tables and bird blinds than anything else! Some might think we could spend our $$ on better things, but I think not. A wise old Pastor, Father and Preacher told my husband a long time ago.......to take our kids on trips. Take them camping and go out of your way to do things with them. Stop and read the historical markers while you're smelling the roses.......getting sand in your shoes is the best recreation! So, I again learned that even though it costs a little, every day was well worth it to be with our kids in the setting we were in. I wouldn't give you a nickle for Disneyland.