Why I love our trailer

My first solo camping trip was the boys was a success (at least during the day).

The boys were great and I really can't complain at all about how they behaved. They were kept so incredibly busy they had no time to argue with each other. T participated in all the ceremonies and he received his Bobcat pin! He was so proud and so was I.

They both slept pretty well considering a few "minor" things that happened.

Here's my deal: I thought I liked to tent camp but then as darkness settled, I remembered that I don't and that is why we own a trailer. I am terrified of things that go-bump-in-the-night. In fact whenever P and I would tent camp before kids I would always wear earplugs because any little noise would scare me.

The 3 of us slept on an air mattress and when someone tosses and turns it makes for a bouncy ride. T was super amped-up after the ceremony so it took him awhile to settle. Thankfully D fell asleep right away. It took me about 2 hours to clear my head and to not think about bugs, snakes, animals or anything else lurking outside.

Just as I closed my eyes D awoke in terror and screamed for a minute or two. Not sure what that was all about but I got him calmed down. I think he just had a bad dream.

Next came the coyotes howling. I know they are harmful but all that howling and barking still sends shivers up my spine. I kept telling myself  "they sound miles away." I kept very still as my heart beat like crazy hoping they would not get closer. The last thing I wanted was the boys to wake up.

Another 2 hours later I woke again and they did get closer. They were much louder and this time didn't sound miles away. At this point as I was closing my eyes trying to block out the sound I heard "tromping" sounds coming down the hill. Were the coyotes chasing something? The tent was right next to a steep hill and I sat up and thought "what the....HECK (ok not HECK but something much worse)." I could hear little sticks breaking and leaves being crunched all around me.

Then the snorting. Oh dear GOD Javelinas! We have wild boar and I know exactly what they sound like because I have heard and seen them before in our yard. S**t now I was terrified and had tears welling in my eyes. But stayed silent as I didn't dare want my boys to see how petrified I was! All I could think about was the fruit in the cooler. I know they like fruit but could they open a cooler? The boys were eating crackers in the tent earlier? Can they smell the crumbs? Are they like bears? So right now the only thing separating me and the giant pigs with sharp tusks was basically a thin piece of nylon.

I miss my trailer.I miss my trailer.I miss my trailer.

I had to think of a way to scare them off but not to wake the kids. What do I do? Do I fart or burp really loud? ANYTHING I JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW WE ARE HERE! I coughed a bunch of times and cleared my throat very loud so it sounded more like a growl. The boys stirred but didn't wake. The wild boars were finally gone. It was probably only about 5 minutes but it seemed like hours.

Of course now I wasn't ever going to sleep but I tried to close my eyes for the 200th time. The sun began to rise and it got brighter in the tent. I hadn't slept but I was more than ready to see daylight and to start packing up.

I wasn't the only one in the camp to hear the Javelinas. In fact another family did actually see them and they were close. Lovely.

Will we go another another Cub Scouts trip? Of course but we will be bringing the trailer, next time.