“Did you have fun camping?” Frank said.
“Not really,” he replied.
His response took me back to the adventures we had just experienced
as a camping troop alongside Stamp River northwest of Port Alberni. We set up
the tent, explored our neighbourhood and returned to roast turkey dogs on a
spectacular bed of coals. We sang songs, played I Spy With My Little Eye and
chatted by the fire until collectively we were too tired to stay awake.
Grandpa Black and Grayson slept in the tent while I took on
the comfort of lodgings in the van. Once I realized that the roar of the nearby
river was endless I fell into a deep sleep.
At the break of dawn, I tumbled out of bed to watch Frank and
Grayson stoke the morning fire. We enjoyed buns toasted on a stick, cold cereal
with brown sugar and milk, campfire coffee and juice. Frank introduced our wee
grandson to knife throwing and very shortly our little woodsman was cheering at his
first strike.
We hiked a short distance to Stamp River Falls and thrilled
at the rush of water that forced its way through the narrow pass spraying white water in all directions.
The following morning, Peanut showed me several rashes he had developed. I slathered his delicate skin with a calming cream and promised him that his mother would provide him a bath that would make him feel better.
My impression is that his ‘not really’ response to Grandpa was a result of his uncomfortable condition that morning. Once we arrived at his home and I reported his state to his mom, instinctively she put him into a cool bath with a refreshing balm.
♫ Summertime and living is easy…♫
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| Knife throwing Adventure |
 Stamp Falls Adventure |
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| River Adventure |
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| Camping Music Adventure |
