Underway…
by girlonahalfshill
And mildly unprepared. I have camped before, or, more correctly, I have been taken camping before. Boyfriends and husbands have allowed me to tag along on camping trips. I’ve shown up with outfits and a good attitude, but I’ve never been responsible for the planning or packing of a camping trip before… and it shows.
We were cold last night. We had consolidated the first two days of driving into one day, which meant that, after wrapping up the last details at our former home, we stopped for a quick lunch lakeside in South Lake Tahoe before pushing through to Elko, Nevada. About thirty miles south of Elko, Thomas Canyon Campground is nestled in the Humbolt-Tolyabe National Forest. We pulled in at 9:52 p.m. and set up our tent for the first time by flashlight. The sleeping pads didn’t make it into the car and we all got fairly cold overnight.
But we woke up to bird songs and rushing water. The aspen leaves are spinning on the trees overhead and I can’t wait to see the surrounding area. This isn’t the Nevada that I’ve seen before. As the light faded last night, my desire to make out the landscape heightened. Mountains emerged and the trees became denser.
But even Western Nevada held beauty that I don’t remember appreciating before. Our journey has been accompanied by Radiolab, This American Life and 99% Invisible, so far. Spencer is fascinated by shrimp. (If you want to understand why: http://www.radiolab.org/story/bigger-bacon/)
girlonahalfshill 
Emma:
I am excited for you and the boys and a little scared but such is life. You guys will have an adventure that will lay down a foundation of memories that will be with all three of you forever.
I really enjoyed your blog. It is so well written as those of us privileged to have experienced your writing in the past have come to expect. It is no wonder that Bryn Mawr wants you to be part of their alumni. I am so happy that you are back on track to achieving your goals and your potential.
Of course you were cold without sleeping pads. The ground sucks the heat from one’s body. The purpose of a sleeping pad is to insulate and maintain your warmth. It is only a secondary and more recent expectation that they provide comfort.
I think you are going to have to purchase pads for all three of you. The simple ones I got the boys will provide the thermal qualities you need to keep you warm. You will get used to sleeping on them. I have slept on the ground so much of my youth and early life that I am comfortable sleeping on any surface. If I get cold that is a different story.
Please keep up your blog I am sure that there are many of us that will read every word.
Lots of love for you and the boys.