first camping trip in pickup with topper
to high school reunion via the black hills
first son is three; he rolls off mattress (on
plywood across back of pickup) onto us!
add a brother and real pop-up camper
on back of brand new pickup (hers!)
fold table down for two boys to sleep…
pack ice and head through death valley
four years later, we pack three sons in
now crowded pop-up (one rolls on floor)
youngest in overalls and conductor’s hat
to ride durango/silverton narrow gauge train.
by the time fourth son arrives, add tent
and stay closer to home; we drive across
nebraska to live history of fort niobrara…
coyotes call and tenters’ mom lies awake.
sell pop-up; buy small trailer, another tent,
and more camping gear for east coast trip with
all five sons, ages 15 to 15 months; visit nation’s
capitol where one son’s lost & found in rotunda.
as sons leave home, no need for two tents;
with grandma’s trust money for Christmas,
two middle-aged campers find fully-equipped
fifth-wheel trailer and now we go glamping!
a poem in my pocket 
Jul 25, 2023 @ 17:40:46
I loved hearing you read this. I chuckled at “first son was three; he rolled off his mattress”. All three of mine have rolled off something onto something.🤯
Jul 26, 2023 @ 17:46:47
Ha,ha,ha…goes with the territory 😉
Jul 25, 2023 @ 03:48:26
This is gorgeously encapsulated 😀 I so enjoyed hearing you read this one on Oln Live ❤️❤️
Jul 25, 2023 @ 17:33:54
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sanaa…thanks for hosting!
Jul 24, 2023 @ 14:03:55
Five sons–fun! Cool you’ve taken some amazing trips! I have four sons and as I’ve gotten older I prefer air bnb!
Jul 25, 2023 @ 17:35:43
Ha,ha…thanks for your comment, Jennifer 😀
Jul 24, 2023 @ 10:38:18
Gosh! Five sons. How wonderful 💗
We love camping too 🏕️
Jul 25, 2023 @ 17:36:41
I’ve been blessed 🙂
Jul 26, 2023 @ 01:34:53
We have two boys. I love boys 😊💗
Jul 26, 2023 @ 17:46:10
Boys are wonderful and amazing creatures!
Jul 27, 2023 @ 01:05:03
Oh yes indeed! 💕❤️💕
Jul 23, 2023 @ 10:40:07
Nothing better than camp stove food! Thanks for sharing your memories.
Jul 23, 2023 @ 23:32:05
Yes, and when we’re camping, my husband likes to cook! Thanks for reading, Janice 🙂