Makeshift campsite.

Camping last weekend

was

so

much

fun

that, after returning home, we tried to set up camp for the week at the campground only about a mile or so down the road.  We could fish in the river, barbecue on the pit, camp in the tent, and C could still get up and drive home to work each morning.  The boys and I could get up later in the morning and either stay at the campground or head back home.  I had this idea (or rather, ideal) in my head that then going home would be something akin to being at day camp.   

Following 95-100 degree days, Tuesday and Wednesday nights both brought stormy skies filled with thunder and lightning, so we wimped out and slept at home leaving the tent set up at the campground as an experiment to see how it would fair through a good downpour.  It faired, well, fair.  Only a corner of the bedding was damp. 

Wednesday evening threatened to repeat the night before so I gave up and went to dismantle the campsite and bring everything back home while C settled the boys into their beds in the still-too-hot-from-the-day-house.  C and I then settled ourselves in to watch a movie together but kept getting distracted by the storm brewing outside.  After only a few minutes, we turned off the T.V., went to sit outside, and then decided, what the heck, let's just unload the car and set up camp right here in the woodshed and all sleep out here where it's so much cooler and we can really watch the storm come through:

   

We've been thinking about making a new shed for wood storage and making this into a nicer outdoor living space for the spring through fall seasons.  Right now the "floor" is covered in bark and woodchips from splitting wood but we're thinking of a flagstone or concrete floor and stone facings around the bottoms of the posts.  We already use this place for shade and lying in the hammock on the hotter days but it could be a nicer, more comfortable space with possibly a small outdoor kitchen and nicer sleeping area as well.  For now, we'll sleep on a tarp amongst the lawn mowers, weedwhacker, recycling bins, bikes, and my mordanted and dyed yarns hanging out on the line to dry.  This outdoor space is one of my inspirations.  I wouldn't even mind installing an outlet or two for lights and setting up a sewing machine and ironing board since summertime seems to be when the inclination to sew sets in, just when I'd really rather be outside, too.  Just toying with all kinds of ideas for now.

It was just too scattered and chaotic trying to be in too many places: at the campground by the river at night, at the lake to cool off in the afternoons, in town running errands, and visiting with friends or at home during the days.  And really, I think this might be the perfect camping situation for everyday/weekdays anyways.  Everyone can get off to sleep and then I can still go inside and putter around at projects or clean up or get online or whatever.  C can get up, have breakfast, and walk to the shop as usual.  This is going to be WAY more chill, and it still feels like being away at summer camp, only just a handful of steps away from the front door.

Besides, all were dry and cozy in bed in the shed when, just after midnite on Tuesday night, HALF INCH HAIL came pelting down out of the sky coating the ground!  Actually, I was still awake and in the house then and came to the doorway and busted out laughing at the craziness of it: 70 degrees and hailing.  At least we weren't in the tent!      

Comments

[Tola]

Oh dang, can I come stay with you? That sounds like So Much Fun!

[Carol]

What a beautiful spot! :)

[Peg]

I often wonder why we think we need to drive hundreds of miles in a hot car with children to go camping. Your idea works for me - I do like to have a full bathroom and washing facilities near by!
Will your outdoor space have beautiful hanks of dyed yarn hanging inside? I bet it will!

[Gwen]

Great idea! Much better when it hails, too.

[Julia]

Beuatiful, as usual! Sewing (and other stuff, too) in your outdoor pavilion would be amazing...what a great goal, and totally possible since you already have a nice structure there!

[Rebecca]

I love the idea of an outdoor sewing machine! Last night it was beautiful and cool outside but still hot and stuffy inside. And that picture you shared-wow. We should all have that.

[jean]

I share a similar dream. A little mostly screened in cabin sort of thing for sleeping. We've thought of converting our decaying garage into such a space. Maybe a woodstove for blizzardy nights. I've heard of homeschooling families whose children in their teens sort of move into these spaces to bridge home and leaving home. All sorts of possibilities.

[celeste pinheiro]

Hey, I love your wood shed with the knobby timbers!! Ours is just t-posts with a tarp...its just one of those projects on a long list of "improvments". Have fun camping out!

[Jennifer]

I love the canoe tipping pictures. What a great idea to camp at home. I'm laughing with you at the hail incident. Crazy stuff that summer hail. It looks like a great time and great memories.

[Sue]

Sewing outside on your machine during summer sounds like a wonderful idea. I dont think I could do that here though, as I would get bitten alive by mosquitoes. I love the camping idea too, and I am sure my partner would have sat outside all night to watch the storm. He will sometimes lay in bed with the curtains open to watch the lightning and storms here. Your photos look wonderful of the boys in the lake too, how much fun and I am sure they would have slept well too.

[Britt]

I love that picture where the canoe looks airborne! Just returned from a Glacier trip and that's what I miss the most...the cold, clear waters.

[Mary Lou]

We have done something similar, butin MN you really need screens. (Except for this drought year!) We bought a foldup screen house on clearance at the end of one summer, and put elec. out to for computing, sewing etc. (Then it can be stored in the potting shed in the winter.) We also put elec. outside on the patio. When it's hot, I put the toaster oven out there, and we also got an electric burner. Cooking outside really keeps the house a lot cooler.

I so enjoy your blog!

[Marie]

Hi, sorry to bother you but whilst I was searching google for the "Crosshatch" hat pattern your site came up. Would you happen to know where I could find a copy of the pattern, website, magazine or anything? I'd be really greatful, thanks for your time, Marie :o)
the_voices_told_me_to@hotmail.com

[gabriella]

i love visiting your site for all the beautiful photos. living in cities, it's nice to see nature once and a while - reminds me that i should go out for a hike or a picnic sometime soon. hope to have time to do so in california! anyway, you guys look like you're having a ball this summer. :) ~gabriella

[sarah]

Your camping trip picture are wonderful. I'm so smitten with the idea of moving to Montana. My hubby says it's waay cold and the summer is really short. We live in Pa now and get our fair share of snow, but I'm curious what it's like there. I think the scenery alone could convince me to put up with lots of snow and cold. Plus I don't get cabin fever like most folks, in fact I'm rather a homebody and living rural would be so soothing to me. Thanks if you have time to respond!