Is it really camping when i have a microwave, toaster, spare beer fridge and computer? A double kitchen sink and 4 burner stove, along with the barbecue? And a washroom? All this and packed into a 19 foot trailer with two 60-lb. wet dogs and a depressed hubster.

        One question. Why?

        Actually, hubster calmed down by the second day and the fourth beer. (He had at least nine the first day, but hey! who's counting? i matched him beer for beer)

        i think i am married to a grumbler. Habitual rather than intentional, or at least i hope that. He grumbled while packing up to go. ("This is taking too long. Why do we need all this stuff? Why do you need the computer? I want to take the bike")

        He grumbled when we stopped for some munchies to take along with us. ("Why do we need cheese? Can't you live without bacon this weekend? Get me an auto trader paper, in case you fall asleep on me again. I'll have something to do. I should have brought the bike.") i left the bacon and cheese behind and purchased pepperettes and ice cream. i could sense an eating depression coming on.

        Driving down the highway, we continued the conversation about the validity of my bringing along the computer. i think i explained my reasons every 15 minutes or so. i wanted the opportunity of writing without the distractions of everyday life. And yes, i understood the impracticality of bringing something that large. i was beginning to view his 195 lb. frame in much the same way. *insert smiling sweetly here*

        We drove straight into a rain cloud. My mood dampened as much as the tires against the road. He said; "You know, I would have been really annoyed with you right now, if I was on the bike and you were in the van all dry. I'm glad I didn't bring the bike." Country roads, take me home!

        We finally arrived and surveyed the tiny domain that was to be home for the next few days. i opened him a beer. And no i did not two-hand serve! i was getting beyond annoyed at this point. i had a beer as well, and started unloading the van in between the raindrops. It finally did stop raining though, and the unpacking went a lot more smoothly. Well, i had kind of blocked out the grumbling in the background and just continued on in my own way. He was still struggling.

        After a rather heated debate about where the computer would be placed, and me ending up in tears, we sat in bleary-eyed silence for a short time.  i finally announced that if the next days were to be a continuance of the previous few hours, then i was more than ready to go home.  A truce was called, and we continued unpacking.  Eventually all was sorted and put away, and we ended up sitting companionably in front of the computer, cleaning out its harddrive as well.  (did i mention that technically it is his computer that i had absconded to bring along? Sometimes i wonder if i am just more brave than smart *eg*)

        We only had minor camping mishaps after this.  The trailer door wouldn't close, which meant that hubster had to use the electric screwgun to fasten it shut.  Which also meant that, at 6:00 a.m. when the dogs needed to be let out, he had to unscrew the door.  i forgot to bring sugar and shampoo, so decided to go to the camp office to purchase some.  i backed the van out of our site, straight into the pole that displays our site number.  As the neighbouring camper and i eyed the now-leaning piece of lumber, she dryly commented; "well ... it's still standing." i poked my head back into our trailer and asked the still-slumbering hubster if he wanted to check.  i only heard a muffled whimpering sound.  i thought it best to leave quickly. 

        The handle for one of the windows broke.  Of course it was the only one letting in a breeze.  Out came the screwgun.  The stove refused to light.  i stood outside, very far away, hollering things like "you are gonna blow yourself up with that lighter!"   and him hollering back; "it's okay, i'm heavily insured."  He discovered the pleasures *sick* of emptying out the holding tank.  i found out what it is like to try to walk two untrained dogs while keeping him company going to the dumping station.  The latch for one of the "under-the-couch/bed" cupboards broke, which meant it continuously fell open.  On our feet. 

        We ran out of toilet paper.

        i could go on, about things like the army of ants who have moved in and how we put an empty wine glass on its side to lure them.  And our sadistic cackling as we flushed them away.  But i won't.  i think the idea of how we camp is pretty evident by now.  i also think by the end of the weekend our moods had altered considerably, but not necessarily in a very nice way.   We had pitted ourselves against nature.  The trailer had taken on an evil personality of its own, and we were determined to conquer it.  We drank a lot and ate a lot in revenge.  Hubster did meet the neighbours though, and the man-of-the-house there liked to drink as much beer as he does.  Instant bonding occurred. 

        i think it's going to take all week to recover.  *sigh*

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