Last week we decided to be adventurous and go camping on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We packed up all the gear and headed out the door at 4am. The day actually went perfectly, other than that is was a bit hot. We enjoyed the ocean, saw sting rays in the wild, toured a lighthouse, rode a free ferry, saw ponies, and even took a nice jog on the island. After watching the sunset over the island in what we considered the perfect day, we headed for the campsite. Little did we know, that was just the beginning of a VERY long night that never ended in sleep. :) Abby screamed all night! We would get her to sleep, and she would wake up, see us, peer over the crib and say 'hi'. When we would try to ignore her so she would sleep, she would start screaming. Our neighbors must have hated us. I'm glad we never had to see them face to face. Finally, we decided at 2:00am that it was hopeless. Even if she went to bed at that point, she would be grumpy all day and make the trip miserable. All the hotels were way too expensive, so we packed up all the camping stuff and started to drive home. I was sad we weren't able to visit the Wright Brother's Museum of Flight, so we took a quick picture at 2:30am in front of the place. We made it home just in time to beat DC traffic at 7:00am. What an adventure! We are definitely learning with this parenting stuff! We love camping, but have now sworn off it until ALL our children are older. Any tips on camping with kids??
Visiting the Cape Hatteras Light House.
Abby enjoying the view.
Views from the top of the lighthouse...beautiful.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Riding the free ferry across the ocean.
Checking out the birds.
Abby loved peering at the ponies.
Jogging on the boardwalk...
Standing outside the Wright Brother's Memorial at 2:30am. This is where the first airplane ever lifted off the ground.
8 comments:
wow looks so pretty!i'm so jealous that you were able to tour lighthouses and walk along the beach. we usually have addi sleep in our bed with us. but like you we've kinda put camping in the backseat for this year.it really is hard with little ones.try again next year and see how it goes.love ya and miss ya
We make the kids go to sleep in their playpen/sleeping bags before us. We get them everything they need, and then zip up the tent and go hang out at the picnic tables playing cards or something until they are asleep. Since they don't have to be rocked to sleep at home and aren't used to it, it's easier for them to be on their own camping too (but a little louder).
How far is the drive then, five hours? Did she sleep most of that? Maybe she just didn't use up all that energy pent up inside her. Good luck.
That first picture is like all the Nicholas Sparks books. Beautiful.
We haven't done a ton of camping, but when we do venture out into the wild, we also put our kids to bed before we come in the tent. With the little one in the Pack and Play, we know that she'll be safe and sound. I don't know if it gets cold on the East Coast at night, but we also put a sleeping bag on top of the Pack and Play to keep warm air in (but we do leave a spot open so there's no lack of air); the bag also helps to shield your little one's eyes from seeing you.
I just realized that I posted my comment (the previous one) while signed in as my mom. Sorry about that.
As far as camping with little ones--We just have them sleep with us. We zip to sleeping bags together and have them in the middle. That way I know they stay warm and safe. But they are used to sleeping with us part of the night anyways at home too. The other comments seem to be good ones too-- if she isn't used to sleeping with you-- putting her down before you would be the key. Next year will be better-- don't give up on camping!
Sorry, so suggestions... but you got some gorgeous pictures! Abby is so grown-up!
Gorgeous photos! I love the different angles. Looks like a fun trip!
I read your title and my first thought was "they are so adventurous, always going on fun, quick roadtrips. We used to do that when we had 0-1 kids." Then I continued to read and said to myself "I guess that's why with 2 kids we don't go on those quick road trips anymore." Either that or we've just gotten more boring, and more debt.
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