Knamping

     If you've ridden the adorable train ride at Knoebel's then you will know what I am talking about when I say I've always wanted to camp RIGHT THERE.  I would see the families with their little string of lights and think how fun it must be to sleep right there with an amusement park as your noisy neighbor.  How wonderful it would be to not have to put sleepy children and even more sleepy adults...dirty and sometimes wet from rides...into a car for an hour and a half journey home.  To wake up and take a few steps to the cherished rides that have brought smiles to my little girl's face for almost a decade.
     Tonight we set up camp and dubbed it..."Knamping".  The site was much nicer than expected though I do believe we have the most perfect space that the entire park has to offer.  Bathrooms are close.  Bathrooms are cleaned compulsively by the staff.  There are outdoor sinks for brushing teeth and washing faces.  Private bathrooms.  Bright lights and the smell of pine.  Our water source is a few steps away.  There is a huge deck, a fire ring, picnic table and an electric box.  We have tall shady trees.  Oh, and we are located exactly where I have watched those happy families with strings of colorful lights always camp.  Only this time it's us.  We might not be roughing it just yet but I couldn't have thought of a better way to introduce two newbies to the thing that is camping.
     Like a team of synchronized campers we each took on a role.  Firewood was stacked.  Tent was assembled.  Air mattresses were pumped and sleeping bags unrolled.  Table was set like a restaurant.  Chairs were placed around a ring that would later deliver 'smores as dessert.  Our first meal was hot dogs, beans and noodles.  After the fire we tucked ourselves in and zipped away the world.  Tired and excited at the same time and awaiting what the next big day has in store. 
    Since I am catching up on posts and it is days later I can let you know how the rest of the camping went... We woke up the next morning to yogurt, granola, blueberries and bananas.  We had another breakfast of bacon, egg and cheese quesadillas.   I got to spend one day with my dear friend Tina and her daughter Gabby, another day and an overnight with Mary and yet another day with The Dolls.  I took in each moment that was perfect and peaceful and remembered to be grateful for them.  But everything has a balance...and now I wait with a smile on my face for the reminders.  Let's just say one night was spent in the bathroom...BUT I did get to watch squirrel babies frolic in a nest as the sun came up.  One night included a four hour emergency vet appointment for a dog who refused to pee anywhere but on her own grass.  There was a fork to the head.  A couple of scraped knees.  We wrapped it up nicely with an emergency pick up to first aid for a nebulizer treatment for my girl.   But at the end of it all I realized I was a little bit better than before we got there.  I had started a fire, made a beautiful camp, planned out days of family and friends,  brushed my teeth amongst strangers, slept through ride testings and even kicked in as Mama Bear while my daughter gasped for air.  Our first try at camping has us hooked.
     I have a new list started for things to improve and am pretty proud of some stuff I had already thought of like those little solar lights we picked up at WalMart.  Martha Stewart would be proud to know that the deck had little lights at every corner that made stars on the dirt below...all for only $2 each.  I have analyzed the seasoned campers and might be stealing an idea or two.  I know something is a success when before it is even over the kids are begging that we do it again...and as we are leaving we are all slightly sad that we have to say goodbye to our spot.  I can divulge the site number but it'll cost ya!