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| Finding the mountains through the clouds! |
This was early on in our camping adventures. Back when I couldn’t convince the children to come in out of the spring or summer rains when we were at home.
We were camping in Maryland and hiking in the Appalachian Mountains. The weather had been miserable, off and on rain.
I always try to look at things positively. This is important when camping with kids if you want to enjoy what’s happening around you. No one can predict what the daily weather will be like when you’re far from home. You adjust your plans or deal with what you have.
We were telling stories at breakfast, trying to decide what to do that day. I wanted to lift the children’s spirits, to help them see beyond the dreary weather. I looked over at my husband, noticing that even his spirit was beginning to droop trying to figure out what to do with five kids smack dab in the middle of nature in the rain.
“Hey guys,” I began, a huge smile creased my face.
My husband’s eyes widened. Was it fear of my next words?
“Mom and Dad want to go play in the rain,” I told them. “Want to come along?”
My husband breathed again and nodded.
After all these years of camping with kids, rain happens. If it wasn’t a thunder storm, we hiked along anyway. Waterfalls are bigger in the rain. Streams bubble along, rivers rage. Trees cry, trails squish, and rocks show their true colors. Mountains play hide-and-seek in the clouds.
Donning our quilted raincoats for warmth and protection from the rain, we sloshed through puddles that day wearing our old sneakers. We climbed up into the clouds, spun around through rain drops in fields. Maybe we were all pretending to be Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain—minus the umbrella.
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| Iconic Kelly in Singing in the Rain |
Camping is what you make of it. Take the wet with the dry and create your own adventures. Newspaper can be stuffed into wet sneakers later to help dry them out. Just don’t forget to leave the damp sneakers outside the tent, under cover, to dry. There’s a good chance they could smell like wet skunk.
Hiking in the springtime. Sometimes it can be like giving the kids permission to go play in the rain.
Playing in the rain is always fun. I'm sure that your kids thought it was awesome, especially since you gave them permission.
Thank you, Michelle. Yes, if the storm is not severe, everyone can have fun squishing along the trail, or dancing around a field or even in the backyard like Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain. I wouldn't advise this in front of the neighbors, though. They might not understand that you are practicing for your summer camping trip. Thanks so much for visiting my Camping with Kids blog and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated.
Wonderful post! We love to play in the rain. Plus there's always a chance of a rainbow afterward. 🙂
And the rainbows can be magnificent in the mountains, as in other places. Thanks so much, Christine, for visiting Camping with Kids. Your kind words are greatly appreciated.
My kids loved to play in the rain. We still have a drawer in the basement just for "play clothes". Clothes and shoes meant for getting as dirty as possible. Mud is good for the soul.
Isn't it, though. We have "play clothes" and old sneakers just for mud play and camping, clothes I don't need to worry about treating for stains. Thanks so much, Elizabeth, for visiting my Camping with Kids blog and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated.
Can't even imagine how is it to travel with 5 kids, it must as difficult as fun.
Hi Victoria – I bet they loved the day(s) .. and will remember their times … what Mum and Dad did, or your grandparents did … getting on with life – is essential. Makes life fun – though I'd rather come back to a house with a heater!! A good walk or hike clears the cobwebs …
Good vibes and ideas for authors too .. cheers Hilary
Hello and welcome, Peter, to my Camping with Kids blog. At times, camping with kids can be difficult, but I always think the fun and adventure far outweigh the difficulty. Thanks again for visiting Camping with Kids. Please stop by again.
I agree with this, Hilary. A good dose of nature does, in fact, clear cobwebs…and gives fresh air and exercise. I hope my young angels will remember their camping days with the family long after they are finished. Thanks so much for visiting my Camping with Kids blog and leaving a note. It's greatly appreciated.
The Appalachian Mountains, what a great name. Just read 'A Walk In The Woods' by Bill Bryson about his hike on the Appalachian Trail. A great read, recommended.
Bill
http://www.walksintameside.co.uk
Thank you, Bill. I'll have to add that book to my reading list. We've hiked the AT, as the Appalachian Trail is referred to by hikers, in almost every state that it runs through. My son wants to hike it through from Georgia to Maine. I hope he makes his dream, even if it's in a few pieces. Always a pleasure seeing you here at Camping with Kids, Bill.