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growler_south ([personal profile] growler_south) wrote2009-07-14 08:43 am
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Camping with the inlaws

Idaho has some pretty bits, like Redfish Lake. Even when it was raining the mountains were spectacular, and the short walk up to Lily Pond gave us a grand view of the surrounding mountains.

Of course we weren't there just for the scenery. There was Brian's family to meet and I was pleased to find that, despite his warnings otherwise, they were pleasantly normal. Fun, even, with a great sense of humour and a general irreverence towards most everything.

I think we got along so well because they reminded me of my family, only with less tea and biscuits.

American camping is an odd affair: you load up the giant RV with food and televisions and kitchen implements, nd then you attach a trailer packed with offroad vehicles and a powerboat. Then you drive to a well-landscaped parking lot inexplicably called a 'campground', park your RV, and sit inside watching TV. If you're feeling adventurous you might drive to the lake and use the powerboat, or send the kids off on the offroad bikes, but for the most part it's just like a weekend at home, only with more trees.

On Sunday, or when it rains (whichever comes first) you load up the trailer, retract the dining room, and drive home.

Needless to say Brian's family camp in real tents, using camp stoves for cooking, and walk through the forest, and get rained on without melting. I like them a lot.
Camping with the inlaws

[identity profile] putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com 2009-07-13 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
It drives me crazy how people go to some of the most beautiful places on earth and never see it. They stay inside their RV's and miss the entire reason for being there.

[identity profile] philbutrin.livejournal.com 2009-07-13 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
are you guys home already?

[identity profile] growler-south.livejournal.com 2009-07-13 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
nope, still in beigest Oregon. Its warm though!

[identity profile] nzbear5.livejournal.com 2009-07-14 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
Awesome!

[identity profile] mikeybill.livejournal.com 2009-07-14 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Glad you're having such a good time with in-laws and the great outdoors.

[identity profile] bluebear2.livejournal.com 2009-07-14 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, for all of Brian's present big city sophistication, he's really a prairie boy at heart.