The Amys family goes Glamping

Since joining the Country Club of Asheville three years ago, we’ve been pleased as punch to find out that the majority of the younger membership are a pretty good time to hang out with. In fact, we’ve become close friends with a number of the families, and since many of us have kids the same ages, Taylor and Luke have made a lot of new buddies too. And now that we’re on the north side of town and mere minutes to the Club, we’ve been spending as much time there as we can.

And the best thing about a strong younger membership is the addition of fun, family-oriented events to the social calendar. Two months ago there was a bean bags tourney, and last month they scheduled a fishing derby on the course’s pond. And this month they put together Camping on the Range, where members were invited to pitch tents on the driving range and camp for a night.

And other than Taylor and I joining the Marks girls for an overnight adventure this past spring, the Amys family is not a big camping kinda family. It’s not like we’re anti-camping. It’s mostly that we don’t own any of the gear, and we have two small children. Sleeping on the ground in the woods a long ways from our house doesn’t sound all that appealing either though. But I know it’s a wholesome family bonding experience... But so is the beach. Or a mountain house. Or anything else that lets you sleep on a mattress.

But this event wasn’t advertised really as Camping. It was touted as Glamping. Glamorous camping. And it was about a mile from our house, meaning if everything started going wrong, we could jump ship without having to pack up everything and drive a long ways in the middle of the night. I was intrigued.

And we able to borrow a tent and sleeping bags from Kelley, and then some camping chairs and flashlights from Paige, so we had everything we needed. And since the Club was providing all food and entertainment, we didn’t need to get anything for it.  Let’s go glamping!

So this past Saturday, after that awesome Hawkeye win! GO HAWKS!, we drove to the driving range and set up our giant, borrowed tent along side a bunch of our friends.

At around five, they put on a scavenger hunt for all the families, having the kids search the range for fun items such as acorns, pine cones and twigs shaped like alphabet letters. It was a good way to get the kids moving and excited to be there.

After an hour or so of scavenging, everyone took a hayride from the range up to the clubhouse.

Once we unloaded, the kids played tag on the putting green and we were treated to a great campout spread of food and keg beer.

Oh, and of course they had s’mores.

Even Lukey got a taste of the decadent camping goodness.

And because it was a special occasion, Taylor got a second.

But Pookie just got a plain old graham cracker. THE INJUSTICE!

And after s’mores, we washed off the bits of marshmallows, and then jumped back on the hayride back to the range. At this point, Chris ran home and fed Ruby and let her out for the night, and then ten minutes later he was back and ready to party. The after-dinner setup was awesome:  A blow-up movie screen and animated wonderfulness playing for the kiddos and a manned fire pit with camping chairs for the adults.

So we got into our comfies and cracked some beers and glowsticks. Let’s get our camp on!

Luke lasted about fifteen minutes before getting whiny and ready for bed. And because we brought his portable crib and some thick fleece pajamas, we crossed our fingers and put him to sleep in the tent. And as I was totally expecting him to stay awake with all the commotion surrounding the tent, he took in the fresh, night air, snuggled into his blankie and passed out. Glad I didn’t let him have that second sugar-laced s’more!

And after running around, watching two movies and having a glowstick-shaking toddler rave, Taylor and her little friends all started dropping like flies. So I took my little girl for one last potty stop at the halfway house, complete with electricity and running water, and then wrapped her in fleece and tucked her into her sleeping bag, surrounded by stuffed animals and glowsticks, with her baby brother snoozing on the other side of the palatial tent. And then I crossed my fingers and slowly tip-toed myself back to the bonfire to join in on some adult fun.

Oh, and it was FUN! Lots of laughing around the campfire that night. Our kids were all snoozing, and we were carrying on our grownup conversations while breathing in the heat and smoke from that awesome fire. And two-by-two, the party made it’s way back to their respective tents to join their sleeping babes. And as Chris and I wiggled our way into our own bags a bit too late, crossing our fingers that our kids let us sleep those few precious hours. AND THEY DID! We lasted the whole night.

And the next morning I woke up to sounds outside our tent around seven, and shortly after Taylor started stirring and then Luke and Chris began to wake up too. A bit foggy and smelling like campfire, but up and moving. And while Chris declared, WOW! I feel awesome! I should sleep on the ground more often! I was a bit more sore and ready to say Hello! to my pillow-top mattress. Camping is fun and all, but nothing’s better than my bed.

After collecting my thoughts and loosening up my old-lady joints, we made our way back onto a hayride and stepped into the clubhouse for a much needed cup of coffee and fabulous spread of pancakes, eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy and such. Fresh squeezed orange juice and simmering hot chocolate. Oh yes. We’re spoiled.

And then the kids and I left Chris to clean up our camping mess and rushed home to let Ruby out and feed her breakfast. And then I finally took my contacts out and changed out of my jeans. And LAYED ON MY BED! Next time I will definitely bring an air mattress. I just don’t think I can rough it like that again. Camping is hard stuff. (Please tell me you’re picking up all the sarcasm I’m throwing down.)

GO GLAMPING!