Since we had so much fun last year, we had to rally the troops and head down to Southern Missouri again this year for a float trip. But we decided to kick it up a notch this year and (gasp!) camp down there afterward! Yeah, okay, so the last time I went camping was a little over 10 years ago and it was not a pretty sight. Let’s just say I ended up sleeping in the car while our stuff and tent was flooded. No fun. I sucked it up this year, though, and decided that I could try this again.
The boys actually went down to the Bass River Resort Friday night to set up camp (the girls were not going to be roughing it two nights) and do some male bonding, aka, drinking and talking politics. Really, guys, you talked politics while drinking, with none of your lady friends around? Now that is a party crowd. Don’t you want to hang out with these guys on a Friday night? Just kidding, we love you guys.
Then, the real party started when the girls packed up the cars and drove down. Let’s see, you know you’re in Hoosierville when you get pulled over for TINTED WINDOWS! Yep, that’s right, my girl, Stephanie, got pulled over because the cop saw her car and pulled her over. We weren’t going over the speed limit and so he needed some bullshit excuse to write a ticket. I seriously think that he thought it was a bunch of hoodlums in this car, not four women, if you know what I mean. Thank goodness, no ticket, but he even pulled out the tint-reader. Really, was that necessary? After that little incident, we made it to the campsite without any other troubles.
The weather was absolutely PERFECT for a day on the Huzzah River. The sun was shining brightly, there was only a slight breeze and the water felt fantastic when you got too warm lounging in the raft. Of course, we had the usual fares of beer, beer and more beer and enough food to feed a small army. So, if you guys don’t ever want to starve, just stick with us, you never will. We also had spiked Gatorades and “juice boxes” because jello shots are illegal on the river.
My complaint though was that I felt like I was dragging the raft more than actually floating in it because the water was low this year due to lack of rain (really, lack of rain? I swear I thought it was raining once a week for a while there). Well, whatever, either way, we eventually made it downriver. Now usually, I would have a lot more pictures because you know me, photo queen, but the river gods demanded a sacrifice and unfortunately, we couldn’t drown one of our friends (even though a certain someone scared us to death by trying).
So good-bye camera, you did so well for us. We will miss you and rest in peace.
Once we got back to the campsite and showered (I felt so much better after that), we all sat around the campfire and ate dinner and talked. Did you know that there are stars at night? As I sat in a chair, outside, not being eaten by mosquitoes because of the bug spray and 8 citronella candles, I quietly enjoyed the night sky and fire. I could totally get used to this. So, now, I can see why people enjoy camping, communing with nature, enjoying the quietness. Of course, we were in the “loud” campsite and we had music blaring around us and crazy drunk people, yelling and screaming, not exactly ideal for communing but I could imagine it. Being in the “loud” campsite does hinder a good night’s sleep (all the girls did not get any sleep at all but all the guys seemed to be just fine) so I got to see the sun rise after about 2 hours of restless sleep. But, in spite of lack of sleep and feeling like a truck ran me over, I had a great time with these guys. Totally worth the camera and sleep sacrifice.
