We went camping this weekend, at Miller's Landing in Seward. Seward is on the peninsula, and is right on the water....so it stays colder than Anchorage. You would be lucky if it got up to 65 degrees and a clear, sunny day. And at night, you would be generous in saying that it stays in the lower forties.
This weekend was NOT clear, and it was NOT sunny. In fact, it was the very opposite; cloudy and WET. It is one thing to camp in warm weather....quite another to camp in the mud. I knew I was going to have a difficult time from the start, because Baby Nick was not going to be able to put down outside. But it was much worse than I was preparing for. I was hoping, that if the weather was good, I would be able to put Baby Nick down on the ground occasionally, although I was worried about having a campfire, because that would attract Baby Nick like honey attracts a Pooh Bear! But with it being very cold, and then wet and muddy, there was no way. So as long as we were outside (and when are you not outside when you are camping, unless you are blessed to have a camper) Baby Nick had to be held. Angie and I shared this job for the most part. But Baby Nick was not a "happy camper." I would take him into the tent every now and again so he could get down and play, but after a few minutes (and hearing everybody outside), he would come to realize that he was still "trapped" and want to go back outside.
The rain continued all night long, never letting up. How do I know? Of course, I was up all night, only dozing here and there. I was so cold...I couldn't even move enough to change my clothes, not that I even had the nerve to try. I laid there all night, listening to the leak in our tent drip right on my pillow, trying to keep both the boys warm enough..and asleep. Finally, Baby Nick got up and needed to eat. I was sure that it was at least 7:30am, since the night had been incredibly long, but Nick informed me that it was all of 5:40am! I was so frustrated. The wind and rain had blown all the tarps around that were covering the campfire and picnic table area, so everything was soaking wet. I was not looking forward to standing out there waiting for the water to boil (if I could even light the burner) to make a bottle. Nick thought the lodge might be open, and they would have hot water, so I prayed harder than I have ever prayed that the lodge would be open...and it was. Thank you merciful Father. I got the hot water, mixed in the formula, threw the bottle into the tent and raced myself to the restroom. I barely made it, I had held it so long.
I decided that morning, that instead of making a nice breakfast of eggs and bacon (which was the plan) that we should just stay in the tent, get everything packed up, strap the boys in the car, load the car, take the tent down and hit the road. I did not want to spend any more time there. So we finally woke Angie and Bubba up to get ready. Nick was getting Bubba dressed while I sat outside with Baby Nick in the one chair that was kept dry, but Bubba wouldn't stop crying. Finally, Nick asked that I start the car and get Joey warmed up, he didn't appear to be feeling well, and he couldn't stop shaking from shivering so bad. So I had Angie buckle Baby Nick in the car (who promptly fell asleep) while I sat and rubbed Bubba's arms and legs and back to help warm him up. When he finally thawed out a bit, I buckled him in the car to help pack up. Angie and Nick had everything in the tent all ready packed, so all I had to do was help take the tent down.
It wasn't all horrible; we had fun spending time with Randy and Cheryl, and Joey enjoyed playing with Jack. The boys especially enjoyed throwing rocks in the water. On the way home, we stopped and took pictures of Exit Glacier. There are several signs along the road marking where the glacier use to be, so we can see how far it has receded. The first marker was in 1815 (I think) and was five or so miles further down the road than the glacier is now. There is a half mile hike to where the glacier actually is, where you can get right up to the face of it, but since it was miserably cold and wet, we decided to just take pictures from afar. It was nice to be home, get things put away, and get the boys down for a nap. Unfortunately, they did not go down at the same time, so I didn't get a nap yesterday. And Baby Nick was kind enough to sleep in until ten to six this morning, so I was up early today.
Angie and Nick left about 45 minutes ago to go fishing at a couple fishing spots today, and they should be home in time for a late dinner. So the boys and I are home by ourselves again today, having another normal day. It is good for the boys; not too much disruption to their schedules. I am determined, however, to get the boys down for a nap at the same time this afternoon so that I can join them.
Baby Nick cut two teeth this morning! The teeth on either side of his upper front teeth both cut through today, after stubbornly holding back for several weeks. Now he has a total of six teeth.
Joey has been begging me for lunch for the last half hour, so I better go make it. It is still a little early, but he had an early breakfast, too. That also means that I can put them down for a nap shortly after lunch, and I may get some sleep pretty soon.
I have lots of pictures to post....so after nap time, I will post several quick blogs to show the pictures.
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