Off We Go

Let me start off by saying I am impressed with my husband. Only having been camping a handful of times in the last decade, he knows what to do and he has the stuff to do it. I'm glad I was with Ranger Reiss (a term sweetly given by Christian's buddies) on my first camping adventure.

Now when people hear that I went camping, they assume we parked the car and pitched a tent. This is called car camping. That would be fun and apparently too easy. Christian likes backpack camping. This is where you park the car, hike, and then pitch a tent. I like to exercise, so sure, I'm in.

We arrive at Chicot. I have no make up on. Gross. I feel like I should crawl back in bed. We throw our gear on which mine was at least 50 pounds and Christian's was a good 80 pounds (Christian said he is going to do a counter blog to correct my facts. Something about exaggerating. Whatever. It was heavy.)


I can't get this picture to flip. Sorry.

This was trip 1. We still had trip 2 to make.

We brought our bikes and decided we would ride them back to the site on trip 2 when we didn't have as much to carry. Let me just say this was not what I expected. Ranger Reiss went camping with his buddies in January at Lake Fausse Point, and he told me about their hike. I expected that. We start hiking and we don't stop for 34 minutes!!! It took 34 minutes to get to our campsite. What?!?! About 90 seconds into it, we quickly realize that Ranger Reiss' experience in January does not match up to this current one. There is NO way we can get our bikes down this path. It is not flat, not smooth, and not easy. Nearly 10 minutes into the hike, I fall flat on my face. I get up and keep going (for 24 more minutes by the way). We get there and pitch the tent, and then hike back for hopefully 34 more minutes. Unfortunately, no. We took a wrong turn so it turned into about 50 minutes back. Now don't get me wrong with all this complaining, I liked hiking. Just not with 50 pounds on my back and arms on my bag. So the 50 minute hike was nice. Ranger Reiss was aggravated - not me.

We make it back to camp and Christian sets up the potty because I gotta go already.

Christian's bathroom. Convenient.

Mine. Not so much. Ranger Reiss calls it liberating. I don't.

We were exhausted and it was getting dark so mo more exploring for tonight. We ate chicken fajitas for dinner, and it was delicious.


Our view from our campsite


My headlight to use the bathroom. Again, nice.


The next morning we went mountain biking. This was my favorite part. We met a dad with his 2 pre-teen boys biking on a trail, and they said it was easy. Well, they flat out lied. No way those 2 pre-teen boys are in better shape than this momma that exercices and has run a marathon (shhh it was only 7 years ago!). It was so hard, but it was so fun. We had a blast.

I am constantly asked if I had fun camping. I did have fun camping. I had fun with my husband, and I liked doing something with him that he loves. But do I like camping like I want to go again and again and again? No. I like hiking. I like biking. I like eating smores. I like the bonfire. I also like my bed, make-up, and a shower. So next time, let's go camping, biking, and hiking, but let's sleep in one of those rustic cabins that we can rent.

What did I get out of this besides some good QT with my husband? I earned a manicure, pedicure, and a new pair of running shoes. Evidently camping is not for good running shoes and I just might have secretly known that so I could get a new pair. But I will never admit to that.

So Close

Christian and his good buddy asked their wives to go camping. Looking forward to some quality time together, we said yes. After weeks of excitement on the husbands' end, our friends backed out the night before. Bummer. Packed - check. Kids going to grandparents - check. Us unexpected free time - check! Christian asked if I wanted to go camping still or do something else. Like stay at the Hard Rock on the coast? Yes! But being the nice wife I am, I let Christian pick since it was his big weekend. He was so close...my fingers were crossed tightly, and he picks camping. Great. I almost had my weekend: a couple of movies, staying at the Hard Rock, a really big shower, and a really comfy king size bed, and maybe a good steak dinner.

As I was packing my bag, I look up as Christian is carefully rolling tiny rolls of toilet paper.

Christian: "Ash, how many times do you think you will go to the bathroom?"
Ashley: "What?"
C: "I need to know how much to bring."
A: "Uh yeah, bring the roll."
C: "No, we are backpack camping. How much do you need?"
A: "I am not telling you how many times I am going. Bring the roll."
C: "Maybe we should just go to the coast."
A: (Smiles really big)
C: "What are you bringing in the clothing sack?"
A: "Um, I have 2 pairs of pants, a pair of tights, 3 shirts, 2 pairs of shorts and a sweatshirt."
C: "What? I'm bringing a pair of pants, underwear and a shirt and I probably won't even change.We are only going for one night."
A: "That's gross and I'm a girl. I'm bringing my clothes."
C: "Maybe we should go to the coast"
A: (Smiles really big)

So off to Chicot State Park in Ville Platte 3 hours away.