So, this weekend I decided to take some time to give my hip a chance to heal. Sometimes things just need to rest. So Friday after the big corporate hoohah out on the lawn, and when I was done stripping bays that are supposed to be picked up this morning, I bailed out of work and skipped the gym. I knew I wasn't going to be able to go on Saturday because of tubing, but I skipped it anyhow.

We instead went out to the outlet mall to find some board shorts since both pair I have are kind of too big now. I can still wear them, but I have to be careful not to lose them, lol.

Anyway, Pac Sun was entirely out of board shorts. WTF?

So we wandered into Adidas and I found myself trying on running shoes. I haven't bought a pair of running shoes since I started training to do the Race for the Cure 5k last June. I've been wearing the same pair since then, so I figured it might be about time, considering my hip issues.

I ended up trying on a couple of pairs and then running around the store. The manager was laughing at me and encouraging me. It was pretty hilarious, but whatever, I needed to make sure! PS, I guess this is why Dick's has a track. :)

I ended up with these: adidas Running Megabounce TruVersa. (I didn't pay that much, but zappos has great pictures!) They are super bouncy and recommended for people who run hard on their heels, which HI. I can't wait to try them out at lunch today. :)


Anyway, Saturday I left early and met up with my friend Denice and we drove up to Front Royal to hit the campsite. It wasn't our usual campsite, it was a pay as you stay one with showers and bathrooms and it was fairly awesome even if it did remind me of another campsite featured in a movie about a guy in a hockey mask.

( Camping + Tubing )

I came back and read and took a nap and then got up and watched Torchwood: Children of Earth. It was fantastic and I totally cried, THANKS. I'm keeping my mouth shut, cause I know not everyone has seen it yet.

Also, last night I finally finished 2666. It was interesting and a good read, but man. HUGE. I'm going to read a Sookie Stackhouse book now, because my brain needs some doritoes.

Camping was, as it always is, SPECTACULAR.

It was especially spectacular because Vicki came. I love seeing her and hanging out with her and its such a shame she's so far away. Another reason it was spectacular was because for the first time in a long time, it was drama free. Seems like there's always one person out of the group trying to spoil it for everyone by getting too drunk and either getting violent, far too touchy, or deciding its therapy hour and trying to cry on my shoulder for their past mistakes at 2 o'clock in the morning when I'm rocking a fantastic buzz. Sometimes the same person does all three.

Luckily, there was none of that.

What there was was this: good times, a wedding, swimming in the creek, and boys from Tennessee who are freaking HYSTERICAL. There was dancing and a big campfire that was far too hot for the weather. There was laughter and rum and hugging and a few classic lines that will probably be repeated at future trips forever and ever.

I got three spider bites, but no ticks. I have bruises of unknown origin. I have no sunburn, thankyouverymuch Neutrogena SPF 70 Heloplex spray on. And I have no steam left. It is all blown off. I feel like a new person.

Camping rules.

I tell you. I spent a good hour workin on my boots last night.

Saddle soap, mink oil and doc marten wonder dubbin, and they are good as new. If you don't look to close at the soles, you might just think I didn't spend the entire weekend in mud up to my calves. :)

If only it had been warmer mud, there might have been mud wrasslin. Ahh, well.

Seriously. Greatest trip EVER.

I had SO much fun. Even though it rained for the entirety of Friday, and the campsite was a freakin swamp. Seriously, I had mud all the way up to the tops of my boots. The ones that come up to my knees. It was intense.

But Sammy and Rach put a tarp up that was close enough to the fire for everyone to stay warm, and seriously EVERYONE showed up despite the rain.

There were six or seven fellas came up from Tennessee (Six hour drive! Just for camping!) plus our standard NoVa crew, and a couple of new folks. There were about twenty people all told.

I'm glad we went up when we did, because the road up to the campsite got worse as the day went on. A couple of guys got their trucks stuck and ended up just leavin' em sit until the mud dried out a bit.

The fire was great, the company and the drinking made the rain completely irrelevant and we had a great freakin time. We had a serious party. Even though half of the people probably don't remember it! I was up last, which was kind of nice. I got to hang out in the quiet by the fire and watch as the clouds cleared and the stars came out.

Saturday was a glorious day. Low 70s, nice cool breeze, sunny... beautiful. Perfect!

We went up to the firing range, and I got to shoot Sammy's new gun. It is unbelievably cool!

Saturday night was a blast too. A little lower key than Friday, but a good time all the same. One of the campers who has been there everytime we've gone got bombed and was in vintage form, accidentally tackling empty chairs and falling all over himself. So entertaining.

Such a good time. Its a shame that its only twice a year, but you know. That makes it special.

Camping Rules!

We're going camping this weekend!!



...unless it rains. Which, it sort of looks like its going to. Frakkin campsite turns into a flood zone when it rains. Cross your fingers and do an anti-raindance for me!

Back from the Mountain as of yesterday at noon.

Recovered as of yesterday at 10 PM.

Although, I could probably sleep for another week.

While on the mountain, I:

- Got no sleep due to close proximity to tent with chatty girls in it.

- Cooked Fajitas

- Took more than four gigs of photos.

- Hit the target almost every single time with Sammy's new "room clearing" gun.

- Taught Sammy to use my camera, so that there would be photographic evidence of me shooting abovementioned gun.

- Enjoyed FANTASTIC 70 degree, low humidity, partly cloudy weather. During the day. Froze my ass off at night. :)

- Avoided ticks like the plague.

- Got bit by some kind of spider.

- Firedanced.

And generally enjoyed the hell out of the weekend. Damn, that was a good time. Pictures later... :)