Destruction and Camping

We have been doing a much bigger remodel than even I thought. Our basement basically sits on steel poles as we re-do the foundation. I have really enjoyed the dirt pile/ramp for the whole summer. We even killed a rat. The kids have enjoyed king of the mountain.



Not only did we want to dig the back, I really wanted to tear the front lawn out, shut down the street, sidewalk and dig out the sewer. I wouldn't call it project creep. It is more like project run-away. Old houses have to LOVE them.



One morning I knew it was running away from me when we had at least four trucks in the FRONT of our house. Helpful to remember that ,originally, we were just doing the back.


We went backpacking just to say we could. The kids "hiked" in a mile. But, they did carry their belongings. It was amazing how heavy packs were even for just an overnight hike. It was beautiful and full of mosquitoes. You could drink them while walking!



My little girl did not connect to the great outdoor bathroom. It took one missed-squat with pee all over her and she was DONE. Thereafter, she refused to go to the bathroom. Hiking out she had cramps and I held her hand as she laid on rocks every foot and complained about the pain. Somehow that was better than using the bathroom. We made it--the outhouses wouldn't do and we waited to find a store on the drive out. A perfect introduction to the outdoors.