the best weekends happen outside

We spent the weekend in Perrot State Park in Trempealeau, WI. I've camped in parks across Wisconsin every summer that I can remember . My mom was my troop leader in girl scouts and the experience has made a camper for life.

It takes character to enjoy yourself without the comforts that you're used to, especially camping with children. I think that's the whole point. Some people see it as a waste of a vacation, giving yourself a sunburn and mosquito bites, wearing wet clothes and eating flame-burnt food. I see it as a way to remind us how to enjoy life no matter what, as long as you have your family at your side and the beautiful earth under your feet.

We had torrential rain, a leaky tent, evil evil mosquitoes, ticks, hot-hot humidity, a missing extra sleeping pad for this poor prego lady, a babe with a diaper-rash, and the WORST smelling pit toilet I have EVER experienced. But we also went on a magical canoe ride, ate some great s'mores, went on some killer bike rides, and swam in the romantic Mississippi River.

I'm still recovering and unpacking, but I still love it.