Monday, June 30, 2014

Corpus Christi or bust

The boys and I had a mostly great weekend.  We went on a trip with the Cub Scout Pack to Corpus Christi, Tx.  That is about a 8-9 hour drive.  Along the way, we stopped in Hearne, where we had lunch at Camp Hearne, a POW internment camp that housed German POWs during WWII.  From there we drove to Lake Corpus Christi State Park, where we set up camp for the night.  Did you know there is a Scout camp near it?  
I am going to be upfront and tell you that I am coming to grips with the realization that camping and I do not get along.  I don't think I will be doing it anymore for as long as I can avoid it.  Now, give me an RV or a cabin, and you have yourself a deal.  Otherwise, deal's off.  My boys did great though.  We got a little rain that Friday night.  Ok, early Saturday morning.  I slept maybe 2 hours.  On Saturday we headed the rest of the way to Corpus Christi and boarded the USS Lexington.  The Pack was signed up for the overnight program, and let me tell you that after not sleeping in a tent, sleeping in ship's quarters was a dream.  
The USS Lexington, CV-16, is a World War II-vintage Essex Class aircraft carrier.*  Our Pack got to tour the ship and sleep overnight on the ship, taking two meals in the ship's galley as well.  Now, this is a lot of ship to explore, and my boys were all over it.  Even the youngest was up and down stairs like nobody's business.  We had a blast.  Though the youngest is in no hurry to return to it because it is so big.  On Sunday, after we left the ship, the boys and I headed to the beach while the rest of the Pack went to the Texas State Aquarium right next to the Lexington.  The two younger boys hadn't been to a beach in nearly four years!  The boys all decided that when they grow up, they want to live near the beach.  I can't say that I blame them.  We discovered that the ocean water in the Gulf of Mexico is considerably warmer than that of the Pacific Ocean, i.e. California coast.  That will be something to research this year with the boys.  
Initially I had been dreading the long drive home.  I even began to feel a bit stressed during the first half of the drive, as I became very tired, very quickly.  But, a stop at the gas station and a Monster Coffee energy drink later, and I was good to go.  The boys and I had tons of fun coming up with different games to play as we drove.  We got home last evening and were very happy to be home.  Though there was some stress and hurt feelings in the beginning, the memories made with my children are priceless.  I am glad we had this opportunity.  What would I do different in the future?  Rent an RV or travel trailer, or even check into a hotel rather than attempt to sleep in a tent.  Me, exhaustion, not a good combo.  
(Today we are still in our pajamas, watching TV and getting caught up on laundry.)