Introducing . . .

For Fall break (or as we used to call it, the Deer Hunt) we went with a bunch of families from our neighborhood to camp in Arches. I love to camp and knew it would be fun to get to know and see these people in a different way, but I was not too excited about the weather forecast. When we got there it was a BEAUTIFUL Utah fall day. Little did we know it was the calm before the hurricane. We set up camp and explored the surroundings.

Our little canyon was so pretty it was almost unreal:

We knew it was going to rain in the night, and rain it did. All night it felt like someone was kicking my air mattress because the wind was so bad. In the morning I wondered why Grace kept kicking me so I turned over and she was no where near me. But when I turned over, I felt like I was on a waterbed. We were literally floating.

It was grey and foggy and rainy:

And then the sun came out and warmed everything up and the guys got out their shovels and built trenches around our tent sure to last if it rained again in the night.

Complete with bridges and other accessories:

And then the sky opened up even more than the night before and pounded us again. Hail, rain, wind, you name it. And this time it came down on us from the top of the tent. It was 10 times worse than in the night. We were in a lake and all the trenches were washed out.

When we moved our tent all the kids came and played in the lake where our tent had been.

I was ready to head home but Jon didn't want to be a wimp. So I slept in the car that cold, frosty, wet night. The only salvation I had on that trip was that our neighbors had brought their refurbished trailer and I got a few hours of warm dryness while she popped Jiffy Pop on her stove and baked rolls and boiled spaghetti on their stove. Yes, I was envious. I told Jon on the way home I had turned into the old lady I swore I never would become and that I was done with tents. Not with camping, but with tents. I was looking up campers on KSL on the way home and to make a long story short (Yes, I know this isn't short), found this beauty! A 1969 Rancho El Rae. It was love at first sight and we had to have him. 

The splendor inside:

The avocado green appliances:

The lovely 60's fabric:

The dinette:

It even has a bathroom:

So in case you were wondering where I have been, this is where. Making curtains, choosing fabric for the cushions, picking paint etc. We are already on our way to making this a beaut. Can't wait till it's done!