Mother-Daughter Trip To Mount Magazine State Park: Camping With A Dog In the Rain.

As we approach Mother's Day I thought I would share a recent adventure my mom and went on. A couple of weeks ago, on somewhat of a whim, I decided I wanted to go on one more spring camping trip before I start a new job in early May. On Friday afternoon I asked my mom if she would like to go with me and before sunrise on Sunday we were packed and on the road to Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas. These last minute travel out of state ideas I get amuse my mom...I think, lol. She always seems to be onboard and excited to do something spontaneous, so I keep asking her to come along and she keeps saying yes! Mount Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas so I knew we were in for some big sweeping views with a small chance of rain in the forecast. Sometime during that 9 1/2 hour drive the forecast changed from slightly overcast with minimal rain to 50 mph winds, dense fog and not so minimal rain.

I know I've talked about what a difference it makes when you are traveling with someone who can roll with the punches and look for the silver lining when things don't turn out as you hoped, especially when it is something you really enjoy doing. My mom definitely got onboard with finding that silver lining thing on this trip and I am super grateful. She is known in our family for trying to do what we loving call, "Hallmark Channel" our lives. Always looking for that beautiful plot twist that leads the main character to their life's purpose while they navigate the twist and turns of a dark and moody landscape, lol. This week was no different. She embraced the fog and rain. She chased down the paper towels and dishes when the wind picked up. She saw the beauty in the foggy trails, mossy rocks and flowers covered in dew. Took some pretty deep naps in the tent while the rain poured and didn't once complain about the intense wet dog smell that saturated everything...and I mean everything. I don't know what the humidity level was during our trip but nothing stayed dry and not one negative comment left her mouth.

One evening, just before sunset, we did catch a break in the rain and the clouds moved out just long enough for us to catch a glimpse of color and the moon overhead through the trees before it disappeared again. I've got no doubt that little reprieve was Mother Nature conspiring with my mother and all the good karma she had built up to gift us with this one little and perfect camping moment. This little perfect moment that adds up to all the big moments and reasons I love being outside. To notice the change in weather and moon light coming through the tent and being present enough to notice and enjoy it. Sitting in our ever so damp camp chairs for a late afternoon coffee break and laughing about all the little ridiculous and hysterical moments while planning our next camping adventure.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks Ma. Thanks for saying yes to all my crazy ideas and what may turn out to be a truly insane life plan that would have most parents shaking their heads in disbelief and horror. Thanks for saying yes to All The Things I love that weave together the human I am now and want to be down the road.