Banana Slug
We planned another camp this weekend. The last time we went, we were grossly underprepared.( I know it didnt seem like in my post but believe me we were) . So since June, we have been gearing up for this trip. We took notes from our last camping trip and bought supplies(a air mattress, more cooking utensils, a propane stove) and checked things off our list.(FYI, if anyone is interested in the extensive list, let me know in the comments) I had everything from fancy martini glasses to maraschino cherries, from adarak to strainer, from sushi to giant prawns.
We went the the redwoods state park. It was an hour away in a long windy road. This trip was organized by my moms club. There were 24 families. 47 adults and 53 kids. (I know!) It was alot of fun, crazy but fun.
The kids climbed trees, played with rocks and went down to a watering hole 20 yrds from our tent. There was a hammock, there were bubbles, there was non stop s’mores both evenings.
We hiked a 1.2 mile trail and saw newts and a banana slug.
- Samar walked a fair bit
Some of the families that came , had really young kids. One had 10 month twins and 3 yr old boy. Another had a 2 month infant and an older child, and there were 3-4 women who were 5-7 months pregnant and CAMPING!
The other moms were maha impressed with my faux-silk table cloth, a small vase which we had cut roses from our garden and citronella candles. In fact, the table set up got more comments than the number of kids. 
Tent
Sleeping bag
Ground tarp
blankets/pillow
Air mattress/sleeping pad
hammer
Dust pan/brush
Cooking
Large water jug & water bucket
Potholders/oven mitts
Coolers/ice
Pots and frying pans with lids
Stove with fuel/propane
Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
Matches/lighter
Tongs
Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
Skewers/grill forks
Can opener/bottle opener
Tablecloth/
Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
Coffe Mugs/paper cups
Silverware/plastic silverware
Mixing bowl
Cutting board
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Ziplock bags
Paper towels
Napkins
Trash bags
Dish pan
Dish soap
Scrub pad/brillo
Cooking oil/Pam spray
Seasonings/sugar/condiments -salt/pepper/taco seasoning/
Strainer for chai
Clothes Personal
Shoes/boots/flip flops
Jeans/pant/belt
Towels/washcloth
Shorts
Soap in plastic case/shampoo
T-shirts
Tooth brush/tooth paste
Socks/extra socks
Hat
Comb/brush
Sweatshirt/jacket
Underwear
Toilet paper
Sleep clothes
Laundry bag
Personal medications–take extra
Miscellaneous
Sunscreen/chapstick
Flashlight/batteries
Pocket knife
Extra batteries/bulbs
Bug repellant/candles
Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
Bungi cords/straps
Camera/battery/film/video
Notepad/pen
Camp chairs
Sunglasses
Hammock
First aid kit
Tissues
Bubbles
im really impressed…you sound so detoxed (though keeping in mind the cocktails detox would not be the operative word!!) ..i think a break from the gym-schhol run-shopping trolley marathon did you well!!
Me: You know, I am. It was nice break from the mundane. To be out in the wild with my troop. My batteries are re-charged
sounds great! amazed yet again at your energy levels!
continue to be awed..
I am sure it must have been great. You are awesome woman, total supermom stuff!! Imagine the table set up even while camping.
Me:)Sorry fot the late reply! I hope you got it now
wowwwwwwww you are super-cool!! send me the martini recipe please
And about the table-cloth..super duper cool!!! I didnt even manage it,without the baby!LOL!
birthday pic in the header is good.. and so is the camping post.. ofcourse you should put up the list of items to be gathered for camping. I hv never been to one but would like to. dont have kids so maybe the stuff on the list would be lesser but nevertheless.. OR maybe u can mail that to me pls..
hows ur feet now?
& lol @ In fact, the table set up got more comments than the number of kids.
But with more kids than the adults, i do see that a huge amount of fun and energy must hv been around.
So, someone did have lots of fun!!!!!!
And just one question – HOW DO YOU DO IT?
“2 days of no tv, no internet, no phone. Just us in our little world” – That itself defines bliss, doesn’t it?
Me: Yes it was.The kids didnt even play with the little toys I had packed. All they wanted to do was throw rocks in the water, look for worms and climb the logs.
That sounds like so much fun. And with kids, that sounds like double fun!
“In fact, the table set up got more comments than the number of kids.” hehe finally you found what works to get others to talk about something other then the number of kids!
Sounds like loads of fun… and hey I said mid life crisis and you went camping? no fair!!
Me: haha. You go buy the sports car
Ofcourse I want the extensive list! We havent been camping with the kids yet. It does sound like a lot of fun. Did you stay in cabins or tents?
Me: tents. I will send an email
Sounds like fun… the kids look happy!
Hey- super stuff
Share the cocktail recipe- I’ve actually never tried doing cocktails at home- Hmm. interesting idea.You have a knack of inspiring me to buy (useful) stuff!
Me: Ohh its easy to make cocktails at home,not to mention cheap. My fav is mojitos, a simple sugar solution squeeze lime and crush mint leaves, stick it in the fridge and then when its chilled, add rum to your glass, pour the mint/lime/sugar mixt over it..
The one in the picture is Tom Collins. I used Blue Sapphire gin, Club soda, sugar water and lemonade. There are exact measurements out there but I just eyeballed it.
you went camping? with the kiddies? what, you vying for Maddie’s (MM) crown?
Me:
Amazing . I love the use you put the alcohol to – was wondering about that ! I hope the burn behaved itself ?
Me: It did. Its itchy today though.
Hey, me and H were planning our next camping trip with a bunch of friends yesterday and this post! Send me your must-have list pls! Seems like an exhaustive list you have there.
Me too loved the table setting! Sipping the cocktail in the woods surrounded by a big bunch of freinds/ladies..wow, would kill for that kinda setup
Last time when you said, the camping was last moment packing, I was all awe at how could packing for a camp be so quick and fast! I am relieved to know you are not a magician..human aftre all
Me: Oh I had so many missing things the last time, it wasnt funny but this time, the only thing we forgot was dish soap/scrubbing pads but we borrowed it so it wasnt so bad. Camping has been so fun that we are planning another in 2 weeks
hey i am planning to go camping too. will email u in detail.
Me: I sent it.
We went camping last weekend (sort of). I mean we set up the tent at a campground, put the bags and other stuff inside and went to sleep. Then we put everything back in the car the next morning and drove to a friend’s place. But we did bring air mattress, blankets, food, water etc. Still consider camping right?:P
Me: rofl.. Did you have a campfire and cook food?
We’d probably do it again next week; I like camping. But we’d do the real type of camping. I’m already making a list of things to bring. Perhaps you could help with the list, it’d be very helpful.
PS/ I passed the knowledge test btw.
Me: YAY. Congrats. Will you take practical lessons now? Will email you the list..in fact I will put it up here too many requests. Plus everyone can see my over planning.
Sounds like so much fun…I am big fan of camping myself, but the grounds with some advanced facilities
…when I decide mine are old enough, I’ll ask you for some tips! Right now with my lil one’s favourite hobby, will having everything on the ground in her mouth 
.
Me:
Tell yourself its fiber. Thats what I do
you have just got promoted to the position of Miracle Worker!
setting up a table in the woods! woohoo! and the whole trip sounds like such fun!
cheers!
Hey would like to go out for camping with the kids. Appreciate if you could share the list
Nalini