The V Spot

Rants, observations, and home decorating... from a woman with no time for a blog.


  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
    • Privacy Policy
  • All Blog Posts
  • Crafts
    • All projects
    • By Project
      • Accessories
      • Artwork
      • Before & After
      • Cheap & Easy
      • decor
      • Floral Design & Centerpieces
      • Furniture
      • garden & outdoors
      • Glass
      • no-sew
      • Upcycle – Recycle
      • Wreaths
    • By Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • By Materials
      • corks
      • epsom salt
      • fabric
      • Mod Podge
      • Paper
      • Spray Paint
      • Sticks
    • Round-Ups
  • Holidays
    • Halloween
      • Pumpkins
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • 4th of July
  • Food & Drink
    • All recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dish
    • Main Dish
    • Desserts
    • Drinks & Wines
    • Tables & Decor
  • Real Life
    • Family
      • Grant
      • parenting
    • Tales To Tell
    • friends
    • Keepin’ It real
    • Tips & Tricks
      • cleaning
      • Health & Beauty
      • Let me help you
      • organization
    • Just Funny
      • No Mom wants to hear…
      • Exchange of the Day
      • Snarky
      • wacky strangers
      • Big Time Fail

Camping Is Good (Part 5) …Why We Do It.

July 28, 2009 19 Comments

Camping Is Good (Part 1)
Camping Is Good (Part 2)
Camping Is Good (Part 3)
Camping Is Good (Part 4)

“Once you do something twice, it’s tradition.”

~ Family Motto

My Uncle Chris took a summer job with the California State Forestry Service when he was in college. He lived in Southern California at the time, but for whatever reason, he was assigned to an area way up North… almost up to Lake Tahoe. The little town was called Markleeville, and Grover Hot Springs had then only very recently become a state park.

He loved it there. He also loved my Aunt Mary Kay, and family lore claims he proposed to her up there. (Many years later, their daughter was proposed to up there by her husband, up near The Creek.)

They began camping there annually. My parents joined them in 1969 (my first year to camp there as well… I was 2.) At times there were two families that camped, other years the group swelled to 5 or 6 families.

Many of our current camping traditions are pages taken from the book of “Well, that’s just how we’ve always done it.” In Part 1 of these camping posts I mentioned places we stop on the drive up to camp. In Part 3, I mentioned The Menu and the importance of Cocktail Hour. These things I just do as I was taught.

Traditions change and morph because they have to. If there isn’t some room for adaptation, your tradition will go the way of the Do-Do.

One of our traditions held dear is a trip to the Hot Springs, yet it is also a tradition that has changed over the years.

When I was younger, everyone went to the Hot Springs for a soak after dinner. I don’t remember my Dad at the Hot Springs. It is only because I have this photo that I know he was even in there. This photo is probably from 1976 or so. I know this because I remember the bathing suits my sister and I are wearing… my Mom sewed an American flag patch on the front, in honor of the bicentennial. (She also cut a hole in the center of our beach towels and made us wear them like lame terry-cloth ponchos… which I’ve bitched about before.)

When I was a tween and a teenager, the Dads didn’t go after dinner anymore, but we kids did. I developed a love for Tom Petty while making the 20 minute walk to the Hot Springs in a group, borrowing my older cousin’s walkman. I cannot hear “Magnolia” (off of the You’re Gonna Get It album) without thinking of the walk back from the Hot Springs. I could see my feet in the glow of my flashlight and the piano in that song provided a perfect pace for me; my feet keeping perfect time with the piano chords.

Fast forward 25 years. We don’t go to the Hot Springs after dinner. It seems that after dinner is taken up with tag in the meadow, s’mores and roasted marshmallows or sitting around playing games. Now the kids all go during the day.

The relaxing feel of night-time has been swapped for breath-taking views.
This should help to give you a sense of scale. Can you see the little brown structure at the bottom of the photo? That is the hot springs and pool facility. The view of the surrounding mountains is to die for.
The hot pool itself is very austere. Not much has changed in 3 decades. The only difference that I can really notice is I now have to pay $5, when it used to be free. As a kid I alternated between the Hot Springs and the cold pool.

This year, as an old lady, I stayed in the Hot springs after my olive oil massage. (Part 4)
Grant, getting ready to go to the Hot Springs, discovered his rash guard was inside-out. Oh, to be 5 years old, with no qualms about standing naked and yelling, “Hey! A little help here….?”

My parents have this photo hanging on the wall in their kitchen. I am the dork on the left who has her hood tied so tightly around her face that it is a wonder her skin isn’t blue. I am guessing that my mom is probably about 34 in this photo, and I think she is beautiful.

She brought this up with her this year, and my mom and I drove the through the campground inspecting all of the sites, looking for the rocks where this picture was taken. We took an almost forensic approach, yet couldn’t find them. The rangers tried to help us, but told us that sometimes they actually move the smaller rocks around.

I loved this time with my mom. She is just flat out fun to be around, and camping trips with her are always interesting.

I remember that when I was a teenage girl, she was a constant source of embarrassment. As a teenage girl, when I went camping, I was really hunting…. for cute teenage boys. (Heck. Any teenage boys… you’re in the mountains and the nearest town has a population of 157…. the pickings are slim.)

One year, my cousin and I actually found a few cute teenage boys and we were hanging out back at our campsite. My cousin and I, and these two cute boys were sitting at the picnic table, when my Mom (who is a nurse) loudly inquires, “Does anyone have diarrhea? Because I have medicine for it.” My cousin’s mom, my Aunt Pat, states (just as loudly) “Oh! I wish!” My mom (now sounding like a paid advertiser) “Oh!? Constipated?! Take this medicine with water and it will loosen things right up…”

You know, those holes that open up in the ground and swallow you up are never around when you need them….

Time with family is tradition.

The kids love when one of the camping days falls on a Sunday. My mom (aka Gramma O) only eats sugar on Sunday. Monday through Saturday, if it has sugar, it does not pass her lips. However, 11:59 p.m. on Saturday night, she is watching the seconds hand count down until midnight. Literally, it is nothing but sugar on Sundays. I have seen her bite off the ends of a red vine and make it a straw to drink her beer out of. She can eat a 3 pound bag of peanut M&Ms in the course of a Sunday.
>Gramma’s appetizer of choice on Sunday? Jelly beans and beer. All of the fun things Gramma does with the kids are even more fun if they’re done on a Sunday.

She can always be counted on to bring a craft for the kids….
This year it was painting birdhouses. Last year was stringing bead necklaces.

She is a Scrabble nut. (I’m sure she knows the secret handshake and has Scrabble Fan Club membership jacket.) She is always up for a game with the kids and is especially patient and helpful with the younger ones.
She was like that when I was a kid, and I love watching her do the same things with my children.

Our camping is family time, free from distractions and with no schedule.
All ages roast marshmallows.


I love that my parents gave me this great foundation for tradition. (I meant to grab Handsome Hubby and recreate this pose in The Meadow. We’ll do it next year.)

I love that they’ve passed on the torch of the planning to me, but still come up and participate in everything.
I love that my kids get this quality time with their grandparents, even though they see each other a lot back at home.
I love that we are providing a foundation for this tradition for our kids, and my hope is that they bring their families up here someday.

I love that our tradition is adaptable and that there is always room for old friends to become new campers.

I love that we have a vacation where quality family time is so perfectly meshed with fun activities.

When I lay in the hammock and count my blessings, this experience, this place and the people around me make me feel very blessed, indeed.
As Uncle Chris used to write on The Menu (along with “If you drink it, bring it” )… “Lord willing, we’ll all be back next year”.

(A very cool camping blog called picturecamping.com saw these posts and featured them. If I have achieved my goal and piqued your interest in camping, go check it out.)

Filed Under: camping, family, Oh Mother, vacations

Comments

  1. Ali says

    July 28, 2009 at 12:52 AM

    This whole story – every single installment – is all kinds of happy.

    Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  2. The Rambler says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:16 AM

    Oh V..I loved reading this. Very similar to my family. We’ve gotten older and now my cousin and I have kind of started to try to re-start the tradition of just being together. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Good times. Good times.

    Reply
  3. Stacey says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:25 AM

    That was a wonderful post. I would love to start a family tradition of camping like that.

    Reply
  4. MiMi says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    So I started out all happy go lucky and by the end, I’ve got tears in my eyes!
    I love this post, your mom was gorgeous and she still is! I love that she drinks beer out of a licorice straw and she plays scrabble with the kids.
    Kolby loves scrabble. They would have a great time together!
    This is just an awesome post, I wish I was there. You almost make it like we ARE there with these pictures and stuff.
    I told my MIL just last week, “I have a friend who says ‘If you do it twice, it’s a tradition,'” because this was the second year we did the whole “play hearts, Taboo and any other game we could kick the boys butts at and then make a mad dash for something to eat at midnight because we couldn’t stop playing and we are starving now!!”
    Macey

    Reply
  5. Tammy Howard says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:48 AM

    I have loved these posts so much. I want to say your passion shines through, but that’s not exactly right – passion is hot and these posts are – warm. They are warm and cozy and absolutely delightful. Maybe I want to say your love shines through. Yeah. That’s what I want to say.

    Reply
  6. Keetha Broyles says

    July 28, 2009 at 2:15 AM

    I’m soooooo glad you do this.

    I really “get” what you mean when you say it is near and dear to your heart. There are things like this for me too

    One is our annual trek to WI, which I’ve just been telling about for the past two weeks.

    Another is the Church Camp I grew up attending in WI. It has, sadly, gone the way of the Do-Do, but I cherish my memories in my heart.

    And about traditions – – – would you PLEASE tell my children that traditions HAVE to be a bit flexible???? Every time I alter one of ours to KEEP MY SANITY – – – they nearly crucify me.

    ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. Lynn says

    July 28, 2009 at 2:16 AM

    My kids tell me that their memories of camping are prominent and happy. They go camping now with the children of the people we camped with, and their children. I choose to pass on these particular events. Tell your mom she is a saint in my book.

    Reply
  8. jenjen says

    July 28, 2009 at 5:42 AM

    Vivienne –
    What fun! I love your stories. Your mom sounds like a hoot! What a great way to get away and bond with your family. It really does sound like so much fun!!!

    XOXO
    Jen

    Reply
  9. Helen McGinn says

    July 28, 2009 at 9:57 AM

    Stopped by from SITS; what an amazing story! I laughed out loud when I read about the towel with the hole in the middle…that’s the kind of thing my mum did. And the look on your mum’s face when she has thos M&Ms sitting on her hand? Priceless. I know that look…it’s the same look my mum gives. Love your blog. x

    Reply
  10. ...Mrs. Southern Bride... says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    What a wonderful post! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Stopped in from SITS!

    Reply
  11. Kelli says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    Great series. Now I want to go camping but only with you. I love that your parents helped establish this tradition for you and then for you to pass onto your kids. How wonderful and what a bonding experience.

    Reply
  12. Jessica and Michael says

    July 28, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    What a great tradition. How fun! I love your photos. Looks like such a wonderful time with family. We are hoping to start something like that after our son arrives. Stopping by from SITS and hope you have a great day!

    Reply
  13. Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful says

    July 28, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    What sweet sweet memories…and absolutely priceless! And that mom of yours sounds like my kind of gal. I liked her instantly!

    ~Amanda

    Reply
  14. drollgirl says

    July 28, 2009 at 10:33 PM

    your family is RAD!!!!!!!!

    and i love me some scrabble. oh, i would like to play right now!

    Reply
  15. Connie Weiss says

    July 28, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    I love traditions! I love that you were searching for the rocks with your Mom!

    Reply
  16. Glitter and Bliss says

    July 29, 2009 at 12:23 AM

    Looks like so much fun!! I haven’t camped in forever, but you’ve got me thinking that our boys would really have a great time!! Getting out of your element is always a great idea.

    Reply
  17. Kim says

    July 29, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    Your mom sounds great and if she is the head of the scrabble fan club, I would like to join. I’m glad that camping site featured your posts because they are really good!

    Reply
  18. Xazmin says

    July 29, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    That’s so cool that you were featured…I’m going to check it out! Can’t wait to get up in those mountains!

    Reply
  19. Saoirse says

    August 19, 2009 at 7:11 AM

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Sara

    http://pianonotes.info

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

you might also like:

A fabulous birthday weekend at Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel. (Yep, we took a local vacation!)
My “go-to” recipes for cooking outside (bonfires, tailgating, camping, etc.)

Favorite Campfire Recipes
Christmas lights and Hot Chocolate – a favorite family tradition.

The proper care and feeding of headstrong teenage boys – Lessons on cooking, budgeting and eating on the run.
The best letter of recommendation in the history of the world.

Shoe stories. You can’t make this up.
4th grade campaign promises.

“The good, the bad, and the something” – 4th grade fiction.
Note to self: do not take 10 year old boys into a lingerie store.

Recent Posts

  • Spooky porch decor and a Halloween Chair.
  • DIY Plaid Wine Glasses
  • Easy Sand-N-Sea Flower Pots
  • How to use an indoor chandelier outside.
  • Quesadillas made with slow cooker Carnitas. (Pork in a crock pot… nothing is easier.)
  • No Sew Project: How to recover your outdoor cushions using fabric and a glue gun.
  • Upcycle project: plain flower pot into decorative ceramic planter.
  • An easy Valentine’s Day globe.
  • Simple, winter themed decor. (Using what you already have, of course.)
  • Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer Recipe

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Vivienne Wagner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Popular Posts

  • Cleaning Stove Burners & Grates using Ammonia (The best...
    Comments (624) | Jul 07, 2011
  • Easy Dessert Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake Bites
    Comments (64) | Mar 04, 2014
  • How to store fresh produce – From A to Zucchini.
    Comments (109) | Jan 25, 2012
  • No Sew Project: How to recover your outdoor cushions using f...
    Comments (106) | Mar 03, 2018
  • DIY wine bottle crafts.
    Comments (10) | Aug 22, 2013
Privacy

Copyright © 2023 The V Spot ยท Website by Houndstooth Media Group