It always amazes me that families go camping. The amount of stuff you have to plan, pack, prepare, load, unpack, organize, etc. It just seems overwhelming and quite frankly, not worth it. However, this weekend I talked Jared into going camping at North Stradbroke Island, just east of Brisbane.
The kids have really enjoyed the few times we have been camping here in Australia and it was Austin's last day of Spring Break, so I thought, "Why not?" I figure we need to get all the family time in that we can while Jared is actually in town, so it seemed like the right timing. We planned to leave on Friday morning and take the 11:30 ferry across to the island. The packing wasn't too bad since we only planned to stay one, maybe two, nights. It was a gorgeous day and we arrived at our campsite about 1pm. We set up everything (not a whole lot since we aren't seasoned campers), and then headed down to the water. We were literally about 20 yards from the shoreline- it was a beautiful place to camp.
As we set it up, I was considering the reason I like to camp in Australia despite the fact that I didn't so much in Utah. I came to the conclusion that I love the two things it brings together- family time away from home AND the beach. I really enjoy the fact that once you do all the work to get there- you can just sit and relax. You don't have all the distractions of home beckoning, like laundry, dishes, phone calls, bills, etc. It was great to just focus on the kids and have fun. Even though there were the usual frustrations like Ashley not wanting to nap, Olivia wetting her pants while at the playground, rain, flat tire, etc. it was still a great weekend.
The best part was in the evening on Friday night, after it got dark. Unlike the "Grand Hyatt" style campers next to us, we didn't have a lot of kerosene lanterns, tables, wine glasses, etc. We just had a couple of camp chairs and some flashlights. So all there was to do was talk. We had the kids on our laps and Ashley was asleep in the tent. We told some stories from our childhood. Jared told the kids about the time the baboon grabbed an ice cream from his hand in South Africa. I told about when a dog bit my hand at age 4, Austin told about the time they saw a bilby in April while camping and Olivia (with help from Jared) told a story about a mouse she saw in our house. It was a really sweet moment. We need more of those.
About the Grand Hyatt campers next to us, you won't believe what happened... Jared went over to borrow some ketchup from them on Friday night. He starts chatting with one of the guys over there and asked where he was from since the accent sounded South African. The guy says he is from Zimbabwe and Jared says, "Oh, I lived there when I was young." They get to talking then suddenly Jared says, "Wait a minute, is your name Gary?" It turns out that this guy is one of Jared's BEST friends from childhood. Jared said he is the one person he really remembers and misses from Zimbabwe. They were on all the same sports teams and were great friends. He is in all of Jared's school photos. What a coincidence! What are the chances? It was so amazing. It turns out this guy Gary married a girl he met in London who is from Australia and they moved here two years ago. They live about 20 minutes north of us. Crazy. Just crazy. So they exchanged phone numbers and we'll have to keep in touch, invite them down for dinner or something.
We were soaked and muddy by Saturday morning, so we made a pancake/egg breakfast and decided to pack up. I would have liked to stay another night but we didn't know if it would clear up and Jared needed to get back to watch Priesthood session Sat night anyway. We still had a great time. The kids were really excited that they got to ride a boat- a first for both. To see our photos of the weekend, Click here
5 comments:
You officially rule as a mother for taking your young children camping. I'm impressed.
I think it's cool that Jared lived in So Africa and now has the stories to tell b/c that's where my dad served his mission and when we were growing up he always told us about the baboons that would climb on their car, driving through the wild animal park, etc.
That's just crazy that Jared would know the people camping next you in Brisbane for Pete's Sake, he knows everybody!
How do you manage the sand while you're camping at the beach? I think I like the idea of beach camping too, but I do enjoy being clean so that might be a problem. I'm impressed that you initiated this trip and are taking advantage of Jared being home.
I enjoy the idea of camping. I think I enjoy the idea of camping without my kids or maybe I should say megan. I would be to nervous around the water and keeping track of them. I won't go to lake powell with my girls for this very reason. Adam took Bella and Tess camping and fishing and they loved it.
Sounds like it was quite the adventure and crazy you knew your neighbors.
that is soooo funny! that he knew him and from such a young age...what a wonderful story! I love stories like this!
Now this is why I love you guys blogging. I love reading all the details of your camping trip, Rob. I love visualizing you five around the campfire and knowing what stories you've told your kids. I do remember that dog bite of yours at age four. I think Jared knows someone everywhere in the world, no matter where you may go.
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