Camping
Hey y’all, it’s hard to believe our long weekend is already over! Man, it was sooooo perfect. Seriously. We went to Door County, Wisconsin. See that red bit on the map of Wisconsin below? That’s the whole of Door County. We stayed up near the northern tip, a few towns away from where you catch the ferry to that big island, also in red. Chicago? It’s in Illinois south of the southeastern most part of Wisconsin. Our drive was 5 hours door to Door County (ha).
If you’ll recall, we went camping in Door County last year for Labor Day and again this past June. If you can’t tell, we kind of like that part of Wisconsin and that state park, in particular. The only downside to the previous campsites we used was they were really close to their neighbors. You could see other people’s tents, hear other people’s conversations and watch kids bike up and down the road. This time, we decided to aim for a more remote campsite. One that was also along the water.
You can probably guess that these campsites are high in demand. So, last year, 11 months to the day before our intended arrival to Door County this year, I went online to make our reservation (you can only make reservations 11 months in advance). Somehow, I nailed it and landed possibly one of the best campsites in the park. Check out our view from our fire pit:
Yes, that’s right, we had a view of the water. Not only that, our campsite was one of maybe 10 on our access road, which meant limited car traffic AND our particular site had a short drive up to the site, which meant our site was invisible from the road. It was the largest site I’ve seen there … room for the two trucks, different space for the camper and tent, and even different spaces for the picnic table, fire pit and beach (though the beach was public, we only saw a handful of people all weekend). Needless to say, we did a lot of this:
Sweets and I might have ventured into town one day in search of some additional food bits and camping gear we forgot to bring. Oh, and I might have stumbled on a pair of these:
They’re shoes, but look like gloves for your feet. Vibrams have been out for years. Proponents claim the shoes stimulate muscles in your feet and lower legs and have benefits for your entire body. I wore them for a couple days this weekend and kind of loved them. Not sure you’ll catch me running a half marathon in them (though, some people do), but a long walk or working in the garden or even pacing the halls during labor? You bettcha!
But, other than that one trip out, we really didn’t venture out all that much. We’d eat breakfast in town. And then head back to the campsite for reading by the water, kayaking, long walks and lots of eating and chatting with our friends (lots of baby talk as our friends are due with their first two days before we are!). The weather was outstanding (outside of big time storms our last night there). And it was the exact removal from the grid we were looking for. Two funny stories from our trip:
Funny Story #1: Sweets and I were eating breakfast when a local sitting at the table next to us began chatting with us. When he learned we’re from Chicago, he said, Ahhh, FIBs, eh? (Those from Wisconsin and Michigan like to call people from Illinois, in particular from Chicago, FIBs, which stands for Fucking Illinois Bastards). Sweets and I laughed (cuz, the guy was really nice and asking in jest) and then he asked, Or are you FIBTABs? When we looked at him quizzically, he responded, FIBs Towing A Boat. hahaha. Never heard that one before, though I guess we’d be FIBTACs … FIBs Towing A Camper. =)
Funny Story #2: Sweets and one of our friends (a guy) were chatting with another couple walking by them at our outlet to the beach. The couple said this is their first time camping since having a baby. Our (guy) friend said, We’re due in December. Note, neither I nor our other friend (girl) were there, so it was just Sweets and our guy friend. This couple must have thought “we” referred to the two guys. Without missing a beat, the couple asked if they found out the sex. Sweets responded, No, that wasn’t my decision to make, giving no additional hints as to the true couples. As they said their good-byes and the couple walked away, our friend looked at Sweets and whispered, I think they think we’re gay. Did this story seem funny to you? When the guys retold their experience, we all broke out into laughter … it was one of those hysterical moments that carried with us the rest of the weekend … but, maybe you had to be there to find it as funny as we did.
And that’s it. One last item of interest, a belly shot. As you can see, my belly keeps growing. And no, there is no head to the shot. You see those wrinkles on my arm? Yeah, I’d just awoken from a nap and my face was puffy, swollen and wrinkled, too. So, all you get is the belly. =)
We left the weekend with our friends saying to us, “Same place, next year?” Pretty much guaranteed I’ll be back on the website trying to make reservations for next year. Two couples with 9 month olds? It’ll be a blast! Given, I’m getting a late start to an already short week, I know I’m way behind on blog reading. Tell me the most exciting thing that happened to you over your weekend!
September 8th, 2010 at 5:58 am
What a perfect camping trip! I have never heard the FIBs thing before. Ha ha.
I have heard Door County can be really crowded, now I know how you get a good spot… way way in advance :)
September 8th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Oooooh very cool that you got Vibram’s! I am reading Born to Run right now and I REALLY want a pair!!
I love that you reserved that campsite 11 months ago! Clearly it was worth it, amazing location!
September 8th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Vibrams are so weird looking, I really want to try them out! lol It looks like you had a great time- interstate rivalries and all :)
September 8th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Sounds like it was a fabulous trip! And what an amazing view.
I just told Tim about FIBTABs and he about spit out his drink he was laughing so hard. We’ve definitely heard of the FIBs designation before but FIBTABs? That’s awesome.
What a great shot of your little belly full of baby…so stinkin’ cute!
September 8th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Your weekend sounds absolutely amazing. That sounds like my idea of a perfect weekend — being totally unplugged, on the water, in a secluded spot, just having all day to read, talk, and nap. I’m glad that you had such a fun time.
I laughed at both of those stories but the second one more than the first. Too funny.
Vibrams intrigue me.
So glad that you and your friends are going to reserve the same spot for next year!
September 8th, 2010 at 8:42 am
I enjoyed both stories =) Glad you had a great time!
I haven’t blogged this week at all so you’re not missing anything there, but the best part about my weekend was the fact that I really truly relaxed!
September 8th, 2010 at 8:46 am
sounds like a great little getaway! look at your tummy!
that’s fun that you tried out the vibrams! i probably can’t see myself running a race in them right now either, but i can see hanging out in them like you mentioned. do they feel funny between your toes?!
(ha, the story about sweets and his friend DID make me laugh!)
September 8th, 2010 at 8:48 am
That gay thing was hilarious! It reminds me of one time when my best friend and I were shopping together when my oldest was a baby. The woman at the store asked some questions and the way we answered them was not clear whether we were a couple, best friends, sisters, or whatever. She obviously was trying to figure it out and because of that we made our answers more and more vague and misleading. True, but misleading. Not quite the same thing because in the end we did it kind of on purpose once we knew what she was digging for and yours was accidental, but still funny.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Nilsa, I’m so disappointed you have those shoes. Seriously. And they’re aqua. But, you’re way more outdoorsy than me. And you look good out there.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:02 am
The trip looks so lovely and that campsite is amazing! And your belly is gorgeous!
September 8th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Sounds like such a great weekend! This whole post makes me wish I could go camping right now.
My weekend basically involved lumping around the house by myself while Ted worked his butt off. My mom did take me out for a pedicure, which was very unexpected and nice.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:11 am
You did nail the camp site! Gorgeous. I know I shouldn’t think that when one is pregnant, suddenly one’s life is over…but there is that part of me… so it is wonderful to see you out and about doing so much. Of course, I would expect nothing less from you!
September 8th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I want some of those shoes. I tried some on when I was on vacation, too. But they weren’t exactly the ones I wanted, so I’m waiting. And funny camping stories are the best.
September 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Looks like a great place to relax and unwind. Love the belly shot.
I love camping and our favorite campsite was called “No See Um, No Hear Um.” We were so far away from all the other sites and didn’t have to see a soul unless we wanted to. Now we have our own camp up north to get away from the city although we’ve been stuck at home for weeks. Looking forward to the getting away next weekend *fingers crossed*.
September 8th, 2010 at 11:51 am
that sounds SO lovely… and man, that is brave -- camping with two infants? :) sounds.. well, lovely, but hard!
i have some friends who are *obsessed* with the vibrams! i think i’d probably like them too, except i have some weird squicky reaction to toes each having their own slot. it makes feet look like they have fingers, which weirds me out.
i didn’t say it was RATIONAL… :)
September 8th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Looks like the *perfect* weekend! I haven’t been camping in years, but I’ve been getting the itch lately, and this just makes it worse!
The big deal this weekend for us was Jackson’s birthday--how is he already ONE?? It was fun, and I only cried a little bit. (that I did at all was a little weird. I guess that’s part of being the mommy sometimes).
September 8th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Oh man look how cute you look! You’re brave to go camping and pregnant to boot! I won’t even do it when I’m NOT pregnant! Glad it was a good time.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
We were just as far north as you except a bit further east! Where it rained. And rained. And rained. And then was nice on the day we left to drive home. Ah well. I mostly feel bad for my cousin Amanda who was to have had her wedding ceremony outside on a golf course fairway but with temperatures in the mid 50′s and the rain coming down SIDEWAYS, that didn’t happen. I always wanted to make it up to Door County when I lived in Chicago but alas, I never did make it. :(
Your tummy is so cute!
September 8th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Your belly is so freakin’ adorable!
Sounds like a really idyllic trip. I’m so glad you had a good time.
September 8th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I’ve been wondering what those gloves for your feet thingies were like ever since I saw someone on TV with them. Are they less comfortable than tennis shoes? From a shock absorption perspective anyway?
Oh, and amazing photos by the way.
September 8th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
The trip sounds fantastic… and I am glad that you’re doing all the fun stuff, regardless of your cute growing bump! ;)
September 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
What a fun weekend you had! I’ve never been camping, I’m scared to go honestly. I’m scared of the animals, even though I hear they are more scared of “us”, but still. Bears, cougars, you name it—yikes!
Over the weekend I got married! :)
September 8th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I’m glad you’re starting the baby out camping at such an early age. :)
September 8th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
That sounds and looks like a fantastic camping spot!
Crack me up about Sweets and the other hubs’ conversation with the others!!
We visited Tim’s parents in Columbia, SC, this weekend! Tim went dove hunting with his dad, Molly and I shopped with the MIL. . . Life was great!
September 8th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Oh you look so great!! I am glad you had a great weekend. That is so cool that you have friends that are due so close to your due date.
Love the story about people probably think Sweets and his friend were gay… When I was dating a previous boyfriend, he went furniture shopping at this antique furniture store w/ his best friend (random, I know) and they brought his best friend’s baby. The people at the furniture store TOTALLY thought they were a couple since it’s not too common for platonic male friends to go furniture shopping together w/ a baby… When he came home and told me about their experience, I also died laughing so I can relate.
Let’s see… my weekend was pretty darn uneventful. The most exciting part was seeing my nephew who lives outside of Chicago. He gave me a huge hug when I got there on Thursday and said, “I miss you” with the sweetest voice. Then he called me Abby (my sister’s name) for the rest of the weekend. Poor kid can NOT tell us apart… So that was kind of sweet/hilarious. My sister lives in AZ and hates that she doesn’t see the nephews very often but I always tell her not to worry as 1/2 the time, they probably think they are seeing her when they see me!
September 9th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Wow, that campsite and view looks AMAZING! Glad you got such a prime spot. :-) And yeah, that second story is definitely funny, although I’m sure it was even MORE funny hearing it first-person!
September 9th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Camping sounds amazing, and I’m jealous of your vibrams. And that belly shot? Well, it’s too cute for words!
September 9th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Oh I love Door County. Thanks for posting pictures, it’s so nice to see the area whenever and however I can. And I’ve been hearing about these shoes, I’m really quite fascinated by it, are they really that comfortable?
September 15th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Sometimes the practical use of odd looking water shoes are forgiven, like in this case. :-)
Glad you had a great time camping.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:34 am
your camping trip sounds heavenly! and your baby bump is the cutest.
September 15th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
LOVE the last picture!! :)