Treats on a Camping Trip

6:30 am came early, too early, with a wake-up call via a knock on the door. I threw on my robe and there was the host. “You can’t camp on the road” and “you didn’t pay”. Yes, we are fully aware that we cannot camp on the road, but as we told you last night, our truck won’t start. And yes we will pay now and for 2 sites since our older grandkids had set up a tent. The empty campground was going to fill up in minutes I was sure.

Dale tried to start the truck but nothing, then he sprayed the brake cleaner and there was a sputter. He sprayed again and after more sputtering the truck sprang to life as if it had never played stalling games with us.

We got set up in the same campsite we’d stayed in several weeks ago.

The plan was that we’d go down to Lone Pine, a town about 20 min south of Independence. There is an Interagency Office at the south edge of Lone Pine which issues backpacking permits, passes, and gives info on the backcountry and surrounding National Parks. Justin had named Dale as one of the backpack leaders so that Dale could get the permit, thus saving Justin a trip down on Thurs a.m.

We promised the kids that if they were good, no running, no acting crazy, that we’d get them a little something plus then stop for ice cream on our way back to the campground. While Dale picked up the permit, kids found Jr. Ranger vests and lots of hand puppets to play with while they waited.

A stop for ice cream in the over 100F day was so welcome and a treat for kids behaving.

Back at the campsite kids ran like wild Banshee. Apparently, they found a secret place by the river where they could rock hop and look for lizards to put into the bug box.

Later we built a fire, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and waited for boys to arrive.

I got a text from each boy with an eta. It was after 10:40 pm. Nate was to be arriving in about 15 min. Soon a car whizzed past us and we wondered it if was Nate. Sure enough, we got a call from Nate, “where are you?” We explained that we watched as he flew past and that he should come back down the hill and we’d be waiting. Dale ran out to the road, flashlight in hand, and there came Nate, whizzing down. We watched as the car lights made a U-turn and we were reunited with our kids.

      After lots of wine and food everyone was ready for bed and the long hike ahead.