And because I planned our trip and picked the day, I am sure that's why we ended up with terrible weather. The morning actually wasn't too bad. The wind was blowing a little and it was chilly, but that didn't stop Halle from getting down to her swimsuit and taking a dip. She was here to swim and play.
Papa inflated his boat and let the kids have a ride. They would have been half way down the lake in a short time had he not been their anchor though. The wind really started to pick up.
By lunch time, we set up this contraption to block the wind so the kids wouldn't be so cold.
We played a little longer after lunch, but then the wind kept getting worse and . . . . . . . .sorry, no picture because there was complete and utter chaos at this point . . . .
a dust storm came through and cleared just about everybody off the beach. Adults started panicking as their shade tents and umbrellas were uprooted and started tumbling down the beach. Kids were running everywhere trying to escape the sand that was stinging their eyes and skin, and towels and toys were flying all over the place.
We weren't actually camping near Bear Lake, so we loaded everything up as quickly as we could and headed back to Montpelier where we were staying. The rest of the evening was less eventful as we huddled under the canopy to stay out of the rain.
Halle and Dillon entertained themselves with a couple of games until dinner as the kids traded turns with the umbrellas.
After dinner, the kids insisted on having roasted marshmallows because, after all, that's what camping is all about - right?
Then Papa and Uncle Rob had to work the next day, so they headed out that evening and left Neal to defend the women and children from the scavenging raccoons. I had told everyone the first morning that someone was trying to eat a jolly rancher outside our tent in the middle of the night, but no one knew what I was talking about.It turns out there were three or four raccoons living in the area. I discovered them at about midnight that night when I got super sick and left the tent for the bathroom. They scared me to death when I stepped out and saw all their eyes reflected from my flashlight. I still couldn't tell exactly what they were, so I just prayed they weren't skunks and ran past them.
About 4:00 in the morning, I was in so much pain that I begged Neal to get out of his warm cozy bed and take me to the ER- he knew it must be bad because I hate hospitals - yes, I know I work for one. There was no way to sneak out of camp. The truck was parked conveniently next to the tents, and the kids woke up panicking after we left. Mom and Angie gathered them into Angie's tent and tried to keep them quiet until morning but no one really slept after that.
In this turn of events, I found out I had gallstones and according to the surgeon last week - more than he has ever seen. The doctor in Montpelier drugged me and sent us home. Poor Neal had to help break up camp and drive home while I slept the entire time. I know we stopped at Arctic Circle for breakfast because I remember falling asleep at one of the tables.
Neal has had an exhausting couple of weeks since then. I am now recovering from surgery and we've had to prep Dillon for his first day of school this week. He's also taken on every day stuff like laundry in addition to his regular work that has had to be done. He's been amazing and by my side supporting me this whole time - truly our Mr. Incredible.
