25 Comments

Your family should maybe watch a YouTube video about peeing in the woods. I've spent a lot of time camping and backpacking, so at this point, I will pee behind a tree vs. use a sketchy campground restroom anytime, and ESPECIALLY a port-a-potty. I think I'd rather pee in a patch of poison ivy.

I can say one technique that works well for girls is, find a tree you can get a good 2-handed grip on, then spread your feet close to the tree trunk and lean back enough that you're behind your feet. :D

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This would be an extremely useful life skill, but ultimately I suppose it's up to them if they want to master it.

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Hiking in the Smokies, back in the Dark Ages, there were only wooden outhouses to use. Between the stench and the flies, death was the only outcome. Using a tree, or even in a patch of poison ivy was preferable. I was extremely sensitive to poison ivy and dropping my shorts in the woods was still better than inhaling a fly at the outhouse!

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My older sister was deathly afraid of suspension bridges, so of course the rest of us kids did a great job of swaying them back and forth just so we could see her frantically grip onto the ropes. We thought it was hilarious; she hated us for a good hour or so. Your experience reminded me of our kids being so excited about going to Florida and swimming in the ocean. We drove 1200 miles so they could dip their toes into the water, jump a few times over a small wave.... and then proclaim they were bored and ready to go to Disney World. Why was I surprised? Kids.

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We have yet to get our kids to the ocean, but if we ever do, I expect exactly the same outcome.

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founding

Or they might fall in love with the ocean and become marine biologists or sailors. It‘s like the Elves in Middle Earth - once they hear the call of seagulls, there is no rest for them on Middle Earth. Valinor beyond the western sea beckons.

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You mention a lot of reasons why while I live in Boulder, I don’t really much care for boulders nor canyons so very much! This was after much encouragement as a child growing up in Colorado. I do love the breeze in pines and aspens, the fresh air and wildflowers, so getting to places by car and with only a few steps is preferred. Thank you for another amazing installment of tales with your family! ❤️

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The fewer steps, the better. You're doing it right.

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I was threatened with paddling from the Board of Education as a kid. Taking away screen time is a good modern equivalent 👍

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Losing screen time is far worse. My kids think it's bordering on psychological torture.

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Don't totally give up on Turkey Run and Park County. It's almost time for the Covered Bridge Festival. They should totally enjoy walking all around the food and craft tents that surround the court house. My great-niece and nephew(10 & 12) loved checking out all the booths, and eating whatever they could talk us into paying for. Walking across a covered bridge is pretty fun also. Especially if you can watch your spit hit the water below you.

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We haven't done anything with covered bridges yet. Sounds like a new and creative way to disappoint my children. Count me in!

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Ummm, do any of your girls read the articles?

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They're welcome to read everything I write, but mostly they don't because they'd rather be watching YouTube. I don't ever do anything behind anyone's back.

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All 4 girls experienced disappointment. Job well done!

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We believe in equality around here.

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Info: do you ask your family which pictures to post?

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Who do you think asks me to take the pictures?

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I asked about posting, not about taking pictures. First thing I saw in one of the pictures was Betsy’s ass and I was wondering if a) I was only one b) Betsy and Lola know that you chose this picture c) if I can delete thinking about this from my brain.

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Everybody has a butt, as well as a face, and everybody knows it *shrug*

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Went to Vancouver many moons ago, and went to a park with an infamous suspension bridge. Got to the start of the bridge and froze. Hubby had to go on the bridge to take pictures of the fab view. I never did see the other side of the bridge. 🤷‍♀️😱

Cute caterpillar!

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founding

Everyone survived - even the orange caterpillar - hooray!

That orange caterpillar is quite a beauty! And the hike looks marvelous!

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My wife and I have made two visits to Turkey Run, and we loved it ... but we didn't have kids with us.

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My new definition of success is to have a big enough family so i can say 50% of my family and it is several people! Loved the tale! And how real it is with the whole “never pleasing story” of parenting. I wonder though if after hanging with your kids, your friends Lila and Peter would want kids more or less.... 🤔

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My aunt and uncle came to Alaska for a visit eons ago. We rented an rv, stocked it full of food and headed out. My uncle nearly needed CPR and an ambulance ride after seeing the price of groceries. He recovered and we had a great time driving around looking at the unbelievably gorgeous Alaskan landscape. We pull into a campground to rustle up lunch and auntie and I needed to use the restroom. We get up to the non-smelly out house and stood there terrified to open the door and go in. We finally braved opening the door, for some reason we were sure a bear would be in there. Husband and uncle teased us unmercifully for the rest of the trip. A few weeks later a woman was mauled by a bear at that camp ground IN THAT EXACT OUTHOUSE!! Luckily she lived, but I’ve never let husband forget his teasing of our fright.

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