Page 4 of Daddy’s Little Camping Trip (Found by Daddy #14)

Gilbraith

I really had shown up at Chained with every intention of telling Bridger I wasn’t going on the camping trip, but meeting Quill had changed that. When I asked if he was going, he said yes, and since I’d already given him the impression I would be going, what could I do but go ahead and sign up?

Truly, the alternative was to sit home for the weekend plus those extra days, being mad that I lost my vacation for the year.

So, a chance to maybe spend time with an adorable little certainly was a better choice.

Sitting on my bed, I looked around at the piles of things around me.

It was just a weekend, but I wasn’t sure exactly what to take.

My resort clothes, including the ones I’d bought just a couple of weeks before, just didn’t look right for camping.

Swim trunks aside, I did not think anything in my wardrobe would work.

But, since I didn’t plan to take up camping as a hobby, did I want to invest in a lot of clothes for the trip?

If my family hadn’t gone to resorts, neither did we camp, so I wasn’t super clear on the protocols.

Would I need hiking boots, a serious backpack, dehydrated meals?

But then I laughed at myself, overthinking it.

This was a Little Summer Camp, not roughing it in the wilderness.

At least, I didn’t think so. But there was a way to find out.

The website for Chained should have some information about the activities and the campground where the event would be held, so I got my phone and checked it out.

There were pictures of the place, showing rows of tents.

Not pup tents but full-sized ones a person could stand up in—but they were still tents.

Not buildings with respectable walls and a roof a person could count on.

Fabric structures had never held appeal for me unless they were party setups involving champagne tastings.

Various activities were listed like games and meals and one special daddy/little evening. It wouldn’t make up for missing my entire island vacation, but if not for the fact we’d be sleeping outdoors and who knew what the showering options were, it might have cheered me up slightly.

At the end of the event description was a link to the campground, and I clicked on it, wanting to see things like the bathroom facilities. Not that it would deter me from going. I was more interested in the little than disinterested in camping. But I wanted to be prepared.

The campground’s site offered multiple images of the grounds and gave me a better idea of what lay ahead.

The tents were fine, if you were a fan of tents, but beyond them lay a row of cabins.

Clicking on them revealed a rustic interior, but they did have serviceable enough bathrooms, full-sized beds covered with colorful quilts, and porches with rocking chairs outside the front doors.

I could live with that.

Drawing a breath of relief, I located the campground phone number at the bottom of the page and tapped it to dial.

“Campground, this is Sandy, how can we make your summer funner?” The Sandy in question was a deep male voice, and his recitation of what must be their required phone-answering line was hysterical.

But I didn’t laugh because it was hard enough to have to say it without being made fun of.

We all had inconvenient work stuff to deal with.

Case in point, the reason I was even around to go on the camping trip.

“Hi, Sandy, I’m signed up for the event this weekend, but I’m hoping I can upgrade from a tent to a cabin. I don’t mind paying the difference, but I prefer indoor plumbing.”

He chuckled. “All our plumbing is indoors, sir, but I understand. Not a tent guy.”

“No, I’m sure not. So…can you help me? It would certainly make my summer…err…funner.”

“My husband came up with that line. He insists it’s catchy, but it’s not my favorite. I just…”

“Keeping the peace is important.” I might be single, but I knew that much. “So, a cabin?”

“Let me check that for you. A moment, please.”

A long moment of silence ensued while I crossed my fingers. If I could get a cabin, even if it was a little homely, I might enjoy the weekend after all. But before I got too happy about it, Sandy returned to the line.

“Sorry, sir. I checked and every cabin is booked for the weekend.”

Disappointment hung heavy as I pictured myself in line for an outhouse. “Can you put me on the waitlist?”

“Really, there’s nothing.”

“That’s all right. I’m sure you did your best. And I’ll do the same.” My sigh emerged before I could stop it.

“You really do not like camping.”

“No, but I like the people attending, so I’ll make do. I really do appreciate your trying to help.” I prepared to disconnect.

“Don’t hang up quite yet,” Sandy, who by now I was assuming was one of the owners, said. “I don’t have anything in the actual campground, but I may have another solution for you if you’re interested.”

“Does it involve sleeping in a building?”

“Sir, it’s a lot better than that. We’ve been testing out a new experience on another piece of property and you would need to walk through the woods to get there.”

Through the woods?

“I couldn’t drive it?”

“No. At this point, the only way to access the new property is on foot.”

“Tell me more about the place. Is it a cabin as well?” A shack?

“We are experimenting with glamping. Rocky, my husband, thinks there is an untapped local market for people who, like you, might enjoy a weekend in the great outdoors but with all the conveniences. These are domes, and the first one is ready for occupancy.”

“Domes? Are those like yurts?”

“No. At least ours isn’t. It is equipped with every luxury.”

“But there is no road to it? Not even for an ATV?” How odd that the luxury accommodations had no way to get to them except on foot.

“There was, but the spring rains washed out the contractor’s road, and we won’t have a more permanent one until fall when they are ready to install the second and third units. Are you interested?”

“I am.” If it truly was a luxury experience, it might be a better weekend than I’d expected.

“All right.” He paused a moment then said, “Your name?”

Now I laughed. “I didn’t even give you that, did I? Sorry!”

After giving my credit card information to Sandy, he rattled off a confirmation number and assured me my dome would be ready. And that it wasn’t too far through the woods.

But when I hung up, I realized that I’d have to be trudging through the woods not only in daylight but at night after the weekend activities. For a second, I wondered how much wildlife might be out there then I shrugged it off. I had a nice room with all the comforts. It was worth a little risk.

Hopefully.