i have no idea if i mentioned it, but we headed out to do some camping this week.  the original plan was to go wed - fri since every park in texas is booked for every single weekend until it gets too hot to even think of stepping outside.  so i grabbed a few days off and we took off for bastrop state park bright and early wednesday.

the drive was quick.  it's not all that far from us after all (2 hours maybe).  the dude napped and we arrived in good shape.  we got a campsite far from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the park but far too close to the highway for my tastes. 

since we were total fucktards and forgot a pile of shit in our haste to depart, stacky and the dude went to the store to grab some stuff.  teh puppay and i parked it and i got an almost nap while i watched a bird of prey circle above and tried to block out the sound of the road.

after they returned, the dude had lunch.  some rangers came by to see about taking down a tree and had to wander through our site.  porschea decided that she didn't like the cut of their collective jib and they left.  she's touchy now.  strangers around the dude are no longer cool.  so far, i'm ok with this.  it's nice to have 100 lbs. of rottie with a vested interest in your child's well-being.  dammit...i love that dog.

after a bit, we got fired up and took a bit of a hike up the hill.  not too shabby!  the view was nice and we got to tool around a bit on some trails.  the super stroller kicked ass (as expected) and overall we had a great time.  we made it back to camp with ample time to get a fire going and cook up some burgers.  we also noticed a tent in the next site over.  we had company!

by the time 8 o'clock rolled around, the dude was exhausted and we knew he wouldn't sleep in the tent alone.  we got our shit together and crashed.  the temperature got into the 50s and that saved our lives.  the pup slept at the foot of the tent and the dude was between mommy and daddy.  as long as he could hold onto my arm, he slept fine.  since i was his chosen object of comfort, i didn't get a lot of choice in my sleeping positions, but according to the wife unit i snored a plenty so it didn't bug me.

and then it was 5 a.m.

he woke up.

he would not shut up.  we were crabby.  he wasn't hungry or upset about anything other than the fact that it was time for him to be awake.  so i got up and started a fire.  i tried not to wake the neighbors (we later found out that they were rice students (ha! to my wife who was going to ask where their parents were) and they couldn't have cared less about our shenanigans) and got the sausage and pancakes rockin'.  a fine breakfast indeed!

coffee singles are the work of the devil.  don't forget that.

after a bit, we hiked up and around and down and back.  we had a great time!  the scenery was amazing and the walk was good.  as i was negotiating a troubling bit of terrain with the stroller it occured to me that we were going to expect the dude to spend another night in the tent.  he was not particularly comfortable and though he was in good spirits now, getting him through another night in the tent was not a sure thing by any means.  so i gently broached the subject and yet again was met with complete agreement.  have i mentioned that i love my wife?

we packed up and headed home after lunch.  it was a great trip.  we'd definitely do it again!  perhaps the best part was figuring out what are limits are right now.  the dude is good for two days and one night.  with some time i'm sure we can expand that, but for now i think we can be ok within those boundaries.