Malaekahana Camping

We did it. We camped out with a five year old for two nights and three days. Where is my medal? Parenting is always full of firsts isn't it? It is also filled with never say never, band aids, and laughter. I used to consider myself a fairly organized person but since having Gabe I have tried putting the milk away in the cupboard, left the house without shoes, forgotten keys, purses, sunglasses, and phones too many times to count---all in a days work right? I was already a little stressed with the idea of having to pack and prepare for our upcoming camping trip. I knew that Isom and I would be fine no matter what happened but our five year old (who is truly a city boy) might not be as adaptable. As it turned out it, was the adults who were incapable of eating burnt eggs and sleeping on the ground. Our campsite was typical---a clearing in the woods, some dried up leaves, scattered sticks, and of course bugs. We were able to pull into camp enough before dusk to set up our tent and get our food and supplies ready before pitch black. I think we were all too excited for our adventure to get a reasonable amount of sleep the first night. So when the first rays of the morning sun came flickering through the zipper on the tent, we were all ready to start the day. First things first, coffee! We had purchased a brand new Coleman coffee pot for the occasion. Too bad I forgot to pack the coffee cups! Good thing Isom was in the Army---survival skills right? He fashioned a cup out of aluminum foil...what a MacGyver! All was good until a slow but steady leak could be seen dripping from the bottom of the newly crafted cup. So much for caffeine! So---little to no sleep, little to no caffeine, and we are in the middle of nowhere. Off to a great start! We spent the day on the beach that was feet away from our campsite. A few cross words from the lack of sleep (and good caffeine) but all in all a great day. Evening arrives and with it our friends The Schultz family. Gabe now has a playmate! After roasting hot dogs, some delicious salmon for the vegetarian (me!), and smores we were feeling more confident in our camping skills. But then it poured down rain (yes, some seeped in the tent) and the fact that we would be leaving the next day to come home was a welcome thought. I didn't shower, blog, watch t.v., or use Facebook for two days. Phew! How did I survive?! But I did get to see Gabe catch a baby chick, watch Isom lasso a tree, enjoy the two building beach sand sculptures, and eat chips for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We decided in the end that the trip was successful---we bonded as a family, had pockets of fun, and learned what to do and what not to do on our next camping adventure---yes, there will be another.

Malaekahana Campgrounds: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/fom/