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topaz: (Morgan bike)
[personal profile] topaz
When I was a little sprout, my parents used to love to go camping. The summer that I was six, we drove to California, and camped almost the whole way across the country. But when [livejournal.com profile] keyne was talking with my mother recently, she learned that Mom was feeling very unhappy that she hasn't been able to persuade Dad to go camping at all in the last few years, and only very infrequently before that. Since my father developed his current obsessive hobby of building Web sites for any volunteer organization he gets even tangentially involved with, he's been reluctant to sever the umbilical cord to the net for even a day or two.

So at brunch last Sunday, Ellen and I suggested that we all go camping together as a group -- for example, to southern or central Vermont, where my parents and I spent many summers. This, we figured, was the proper bait to offer. There is any number of things my father might not care to do, unless his kids or grandkids are involved, at which point he suddenly becomes enthusiastic. Dad was not quite "enthusiastic" about the idea on Sunday but seemed amenable!

At this point I turned to Ellen and added, "And you guys could drive up there with the kids, and I could bike up and meet you there!" This is a long-standing joke between us. I've long suggested, as a vacation plan, that she drive somewhere distant with the boys -- possibly roping in my parents to come along and help with the boys -- so that I could bike out and join them. A completely selfish idea, of course, and understandably not one that has ever interested Ellen terribly.

But this time, she turned to me and said, "That might be a two-day trip. Where would you stay overnight?"

So. Now I'm looking up campgrounds in southern Vermont and New Hampshire, starting with places that are 90-120 miles from our house, to see if I can find one the rest of the family likes and which I think I can reach in one day on a bike. This might actually happen. :-)

Date: 2004-06-28 03:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com
Several of us just spent a lovely weekend at Fort Dummer State Park (http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/fortdummer.cfm) near Brattleboro, VT. It's got hot showers and flush toilets, lovely campsites with grills and picnic tables, and a big open field for playing on. Mapquest says it's 93 miles from your town :)

Date: 2004-06-28 05:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com
*giggle*
See what happens when we spend time together?!

Date: 2004-06-28 09:47 pm (UTC)
ext_86356: (Default)
From: [identity profile] qwrrty.livejournal.com
Fort Dummer was indeed one of the locations that I bookmarked, and one of the ones that appealed most to me. Thanks for the recommendation! :-) :-)

Date: 2004-06-28 03:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] catya.livejournal.com
we were just at fort drummer state park in vt and it's a very nice place to luxury camp - real bathrooms and hot showers... :)

Oh, this is horrible

Date: 2004-06-28 05:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moontoad.livejournal.com
But my non-profit in the making (that is, working towards non-profit status) had our web guru up and leave. And we're struggling now to keep things afloat with the site. Your dad, uh, wouldn't be interested in green iguana stuff, now, would he? www.greenigsociety.org

(you have permission to spank me the next time you see me for this)

Re: Oh, this is horrible

Date: 2004-06-29 05:27 am (UTC)
ext_86356: (alien)
From: [identity profile] qwrrty.livejournal.com
Hee. :-) I'll mention it to him, but as far as I know it's not one of his interests.

Date: 2004-06-28 06:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sulis-vt.livejournal.com
Let me know if you make it to VT! Okay - I'm in the northern end of the state...but what the heck!

Date: 2004-06-29 05:28 am (UTC)
ext_86356: (Default)
From: [identity profile] qwrrty.livejournal.com
A bike trip up the whole length of Vermont is an incredibly appealing idea. But probably not one that is going to happen this year. :-)

Date: 2004-06-28 09:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maedbh7.livejournal.com
I know a person who likes to bike long distances and camp. If you're ever looking for a buddy to do that sort of trip with, let me know and I'll make sure you two meet. -H...

Date: 2004-06-29 05:29 am (UTC)
ext_86356: (smiley)
From: [identity profile] qwrrty.livejournal.com
Neat! I may take you up on that. Bike trips are so much more fun with other people.

Date: 2004-06-29 04:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moominmolly.livejournal.com
Whooooo! That's so awesome! Bike bike bike! Go you!

If you do this, you have to bike up to [livejournal.com profile] catya's camp with us before the end of the summer and appreciate what an incredibly luxurious ride it is.

When are you planning on doing it?

Date: 2004-06-29 05:32 am (UTC)
ext_86356: (screwy)
From: [identity profile] qwrrty.livejournal.com
That is, like, the best bestest vacation idea ever. Solo biking is fun but not nearly as much fun as getting to share it.

When are you planning on doing it?

Don't know yet, but probably not till August or close to it (our next 3-4 weekends are booked). After getting the family to agree on a campsite I'll see when we can get reservations for it. :-)

Date: 2004-06-29 06:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moominmolly.livejournal.com
If it's in late July or mid-August, let us know if you want company for the ride...

Date: 2004-07-01 11:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vokzal.livejournal.com
That's the cutest userpic! Where's the full-size version?

:>

Date: 2004-07-02 02:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] panlin2000.livejournal.com
Sounds like you have not had the chance to do really selfish things in a while. Selfishness does need to be controlled, but I believe everyone needs it too. So - enjoy! :-)

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