One summer some people we knew decided to do a group camping trip. They selected Sugar Pine @ Tahoe. I was not even sure my
poor little vehicle could make the trip.
It turned out to be a very last
minute planned outing. The day of the event it was decided my daughter’s best friend
would be joining us. We owned sleeping
bags but not much else that we needed.
Like an air mattress for me. Off we
went to the thrift store. We took a chance on one we found that appeared to be
completely intact and only lacking a plug. I brought it home, blew it up with an auto pump and stuck in a cork we had handy in it.
Then for good measure I let the
girls roll on it and manipulate it. No holes, no leaking, score!
I headed to Target and we bought a small cooler. I had no idea how to pack it but we bought the needed food. The menu was set so we could all have the same meals each night.
The friend donated for the duration of our adventure a large family tent from her household. That was bigger than what we technically needed but the extra space was nice.
I headed to Target and we bought a small cooler. I had no idea how to pack it but we bought the needed food. The menu was set so we could all have the same meals each night.
The friend donated for the duration of our adventure a large family tent from her household. That was bigger than what we technically needed but the extra space was nice.
I will have to post about the girls mini excursion…
The groups' extreme experience came one night when everyone was sitting close to our tents around a fire enjoying s'mores.
We had been warned to keep our food
in lockers due to bears. My assumption was that bears might come while we were
asleep or alone and quiet if at all...
Our backs were to the open
locker near a picnic table scattered with our sweets and snacks. Chocolate, red vines, graham crackers, cookies, marshmallows you name it.
Suddenly off to the side of us, out
from the brush and a line of trees wandered a mamma bear with cub(s). This was
interesting. A few of us noticed and began to alert the others. Surely they
would just keep passing through.
Oh No! They headed for the open food locker
and grabbed some stuff before we began to holler and make like we might rush
them.
Off mamma lumbered with her loot and at least one cub scampered up a tree.
Oh my goodness! Each set of tents had it's own locker but of course since everyone was sitting near our tents it was our locker that was open and got raided.
Oh my goodness! Each set of tents had it's own locker but of course since everyone was sitting near our tents it was our locker that was open and got raided.
The quick grab had been for my
coffee grounds, probably because they were fragrant. Near them must have been
our tortillas left over from fajitas the first night.
The next morning a few of the guys from the group went out walking and found the remnants of the stolen food.
The next morning a few of the guys from the group went out walking and found the remnants of the stolen food.
The coffee bag only had a
bite mark in it. Must have been too bitter. The tortillas were a little more
yummy apparently since more chunks were missing out of them.
I would have been scared to death! I have never been camping where there were bears... I have only camped at the beach. Glad no one was hurt.
ReplyDeleteThis was only my second time camping ever. The idea of seeing bears was so far from my mind. The shock was their brazenness. Then to learn that the saliva the bear drooled in our food locker was contaminatory. The things you learn...
ReplyDeleteSo will there be a third camping experience in your future?
ReplyDeleteI was planning to go on one with summer but it got scrapped. Sure I am willing to go again. Have air mattress will travel. LOL It will probably have to wait until next summer now however.
DeleteDefinitely something we will never forget! That is for sure. lol
ReplyDelete