Greetings and Salutations!
from Cecilia
Welcome to the first installment of "Backwater Backwash", a random and incomprehensible collection of thoughts, observances, and experiences in no particular order, so that it makes absolutely no sense at all.

Past and future trips. Pre-children to post-children. When it was just me, I was comfortable with little gear. Now, with children in tow, a lot more gear is required, including toys, special foods and utensils to prepare and serve said foods, and up until a few months ago, diapers and all the accoutrements. My first aid kit is bigger. My ice chest is bigger. My tent is bigger. My boat is bigger. I am bigger.

I recall day trips to the beach. Pre-children, I could go on a moment's notice, and my gear would consist of a beach towel and some sunscreen. Post-children, a day trip to the beach requires a week in advance planning, plenty of towels, First aid kit, large ice chest, toys, at least 2 changes of clothing, extra sandals, about ten trips back and forth from the car, the EZ-Up Canopy, some lawn chairs, the camera (can't miss those precious moments!), PFD's, extra gallons of water just for rinsing sand off... and out... of certain.... areas...., a big bottle of saline for washing sand out of eyes, a marine case for the camera, sunglasses, hats, extra photo cards for the camera, handi wipes, a couple of buckets for shells, extra batteries for the camera, boogie boards and a long list of other things I can't think of right now. Mostly stuff for the camera.

Now, don't get me wrong... I absolutely LOVE doing stuff with my little guys! If I didn't, I certainly wouldn't get gear just for them or even bring them ("here, you stay with your aunt and watch the "home and garden" channel all weekend while mommy runs off and has an absolute blast without you!"). Heck, I plan trips with them in mind most of the time. I just miss not having to make 50 trips from the car and wagon and spending 4 hours just trying to set up camp.

But when I see my boys enjoying looking up at the stars, or making sure we do their eternal campfire ritual, or sitting in a river making little dams or creating their own eddys, or getting to see wild deer up close and personal as they drink from the river (the deer drinking from the river, not the boys...), its all worth it.

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SYOTR!
Cecilia Gill