Day 25: Elshaug Camping Adventures

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Once back from House on the Rock we set off for Mouthe Lake to do some car camping. (Pronunciation jokes were made the whole time) They had reserved a great site that was very big and fit our four tents and all our other stuff. We spent our first day down by the lake playing on the playground and walking around the grounds. We had chili dogs and s'mores and sat around the fire playing games and avoiding mosquitoes. The usual Elshaug family scene was just the same in the woods but instead of having to share toys its all about being nice to bugs and staying out of the forest. What fearless people to take three kids camping! Poppy and Joe cooked meals, kept kids in line and changed diapers all before Sam and I could yawn. Not to mention that they can stay up later than we can and get up with the kids some 2 hours before we do. Amazing.

Megan on the slide....weeee!!
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The next day the weather was a bit cloudy and not quite appropriate for lake swimming so we went "exploring" as Brennen calls it. We took a hike on a trail that connects our camp site to part of the Ice Age trail which people backpack along. Sam facilitated Nora's nap time with the baby backpack. We saw dragonflies, dandelions the size of baseballs and lots of mosquitoes. During our hike Sam and I were swinging Alyssa by the arms much to her delight... that is until Sam dislocated her elbow when she wouldn‘t let go. Poppy and Joe recognized it right away by how she was holding her arm straight down because the same thing had happened to Brennen a few years ago. Once back to camp, Joe took her into town and had it popped back into place. Yikes.

Sam and Nora ready for a hike
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Once all was back to normal we were just finishing our fire cooked pizza when we felt a few raindrops. Sam put Nora's playpen away just to be safe but by the time he was done it began to pour. As if we were in a sped up black and white short with a saloon piano overplay, we popped up and began throwing kids in tents, covering the dry firewood, and shoving the stove and other essentials into vehicles. Once we were done, we were soaked and had plates of soggy pizza and salad. Just about that time matters became more interesting as we got the call that Marcia was on her way from work but was immobile with a broken a windshield wiper. She finally finished the drive as the rain died down but by that time we realized we wouldn't be able to stay, the rain kept persisting. In more pouring rain, we broke down all the tents and shoved everything wet or dry into a vehicle. Sam switched the right wiper to the left side and drove Marcia's car and we all caravanned home soggy, bitten and tired (it was past kid bedtime). We drug out some stuff into the garage to dry off and hosed down the tents the next day. Even though our trip was cut short it was nothing less than an adventure.