Camping with the Family

After my last experience with a boy I figured this time before I commit to anything I want to see how he interacts with his parents and family over an extended period of time.
(It wasn't till my last experience going with a boy and his family on vacation that I realized how much you can learn about someone in such a short period of time. It was during that vacation that his true nature came out.)

To prevent another disaster I invited myself on Mason's annual family camping trip.  He was a bit nervous as I would be the first girl he's brought along camping.  I was a bit nervous spending so much time with his family, concerned about what I was going to eat, and trapped in the middle of nowhere if things didn't turn out well. His parents were ok with me coming as long as we slept in separate tents.  His Mom was also looking forward to getting to know me better.

Last Tuesday I left my car and the safety of my new home on a 5 day adventure, crossing my fingers that it wouldn't turn out anything like my last camp out or my last vacation with a boy and his family.

I am happy to report it was a success. Mason gave them a heads up on my diet.  Just to be safe I also brought food.  I was very impressed at how his Mom went out of her way to prepare foods I could eat and brought special snacks for me.

We had lots of fun. We took several bike rides, took a 3 hour walk/hike around the lake, went fishing with his Dad, swam in the lake, Kayaked, hunted for wood, and played Rummikub with the family.

When I was a kid Mom and I used to go fishing all of the time and I loved it so I was excited to be able to go fishing again. Sadly I didn't catch anything. Mason on the other hand caught 5 trout. For breakfast one morning his Mom went out of her way to make us breakfast: Trout, eggs, and potatoes.  I'm not a big fish fan, but I am happy to report that it was delicious.  She made us this special breakfast because it brings back fond memories of her first camping trip with Mason's father. He got up early one morning and went fishing with out waking her. Later she woke up to an amazing breakfast of fresh trout. She wanted me to have the same experience with Mason.

A few of his cousins were at the campsite next to us.  It was great meeting more of his family and hanging out with them. I love it that they get together and go camping annually. I love spending time with family.  The only time I get to see my extended family is on Thanksgiving.   I wish we got to spend more time together.

I love playing games and I love that his family loves playing games and it was fun to play Rummikub together every night.

The night before we left his brother Tim and Andrea his sister-in-law arrived. In the morning Mason, Tim, his wife and their Father went fishing while his Mom and I hung out and then we all got back together in the afternoon for lunch. I wish the had arrived sooner or we could stay later so I could spend more time with them.