I know you’re all waiting to see how the night photography worked out on my recent trip to the UP. After all, that was one of the main reasons we went. But I just haven’t taken the time to process those images yet.
I will soon. Promise.
Meanwhile I thought this series of pictures from our campsite picnic table might make you smile.
We noticed the chalk image, left by the prior campers, as we were setting up our tents. My sister and I wondered why the mom was frowning. Though as kids we camped in a big green army tent with our large family and we can say with some expertise that there were many reasons for a mom to be frowning while camping in a tent. With kids.
The first night it rained a bit and the third night it poured all night. When we got up the fourth morning the entire artwork was gone.
But I have it for posterity. I’m hoping mom is smiling more now.
Change Is Hard 
September 13, 2024 at 6:28 am
This made me laugh, Dawn.
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September 13, 2024 at 9:56 am
Me too. I hope the mom had more fun than I’m thinking she had.
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September 13, 2024 at 6:31 am
Nice story. Makes one think. I hope both of you were smiling at the end of your trip. Growing up, our family didn’t camp. In fact, I only remember a few out of town trips in a car as a family before my parents divorced. It would have been dad who wasn’t smiling. Our mom was the perpetual optimist! She could find diamonds in just about anything. Even with three boys who were all a year and a half apart – for a month each year we three are all consecutive. This year it will be 62-61-60 until my birthday in November when I mess up the pattern. Have a fabulous Friday and a great weekend.
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September 13, 2024 at 9:58 am
My folks had 4 of us, within 5 years. I think mom was pretty much exhausted all the time, especially when we camped because everything about making meals got harder then. But we were oblivious. Later on we graduated to a pop-up camper and then a truck camper and things were somewhat easier. Plus we were more grown up and could be assigned tasks. Still, I think about my mom a lot and all she did that we never noticed.
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September 13, 2024 at 8:34 am
That little srick family is a haunting series of photos. I, too, wondered why Mom was frowning. Gave me an eerie feeling to see the three slowly fade away. Excellent post.
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September 13, 2024 at 9:59 am
I was kinda sad when they disappeared completely. Like I was missing them or something.
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September 13, 2024 at 10:37 am
Yes! What a great plot for a horror/fantasy story of some kind.
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September 13, 2024 at 11:32 am
This made me giggle, Dawn! I can almost see that poor mom, struggling to make the camping experience fun for her family — without imprinting lasting bad memories on her child. Maybe the mom didn’t want to go in the first place; maybe this chalk picture was the kid’s way of making mom smile. Who knows? Glad you caught a slice of life to share with us though.
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September 13, 2024 at 7:51 pm
Yes, I get the idea that maybe mom wasn’t into camping so much.
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September 13, 2024 at 2:25 pm
Thank you for the chuckle!! 😂
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September 13, 2024 at 7:51 pm
You are very welcome! Me too, the chuckle.
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September 13, 2024 at 10:13 pm
I love coming upon chalk art – this art was very clear for that first shot before rain obliterated it, so a lucky find for you. Yes, you have to wonder why mom was frowning. I often see chalk art walking to/from Council Point Park and didn’t see much this Summer, perhaps as it was so hot most of the Season.
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