Page 6 of Daddy’s Little Camping Trip (Found by Daddy #14)

Gilbraith

The glamping dome was fabulous, everything Sandy promised and more.

It was also, unfortunately, a longer walk than I was used to, making me recognize that it was time to join a gym or take up jogging in the mornings before work.

But after I got checked in by Rocky and made my inexpert way down the narrow path through the tall trees, the dome came in sight and I nearly fell to my knees in gratitude.

I’d seen the rest of the camp after I parked in the lot and, while it was nicer than I’d expected from the photos, even the bathroom, my dome was a palace in comparison.

It sat on a wooden deck elevated from the forest floor with a comfortable set of porch furniture, overlooking the landscape below.

After I climbed the steps, I turned and took in the view.

In the distance, looking very far away, in a break in the trees, the lake near the campground sparkled in the late-afternoon sunlight. Had the little, had Quill arrived yet?

I hadn’t seen him when I checked in and checked out the campgrounds, but there were quite a few people getting settled in, so I could have missed him.

That night at Chained, I’d thought about asking him if he’d like a ride here but quickly brushed that aside.

We hadn’t known one another very long, just a few hours, and taking a long ride with a stranger was not a safe choice.

Even if I did know what a safe person I was, I didn’t want to imply that he should make questionable choices. No daddy worth his warm embrace would.

This weekend would be a great opportunity to get to know one another a little better and see if we were interested in exploring a relationship of any kind. I already knew what an adorable little Quill could be, but spending some time becoming acquainted with his big side also held appeal.

With that in mind, I hurried inside to freshen up and change for the first activity of the weekend, the campfire meet and greet. In the end, I had packed anything casual I wore on the weekend at home and one nice outfit. My resort purchases would have to wait for next year to make their appearance.

Even in my rush, I had to take long enough to appreciate the aesthetic of the dome.

Circling the interior, I came upon a big bed with plump fluffy pillows, a seating area with leather sofa and chair, a dining table with four chairs, and a compact kitchen.

The middle held the bathroom, the one part not visible from the outside when I tapped the controls and made the whole dome clear.

Such a clever design, everything blending together in elegant neutrals that allowed the beautiful woodland and the sky to provide color.

I would have said nothing could compare to the resort in the Bahamas I visited every year, but this location had a charm I could grow to appreciate as well. Glamping was better than camping for sure.

Changed into jeans and a T-shirt, I grabbed a hoodie for the cool evening temperatures and started back through the woods toward the campground.

With the sun so low in the sky, shadows covered parts of the path, reminding me that the next time I traveled it, it would be dark.

Rocky had told me to stop by the office before heading out because they had a lantern for me. So, I’d be fine.

Emerging from the trees, I arrived just in time to watch the sun disappear behind the hills on the other side of the lake. The western sky was ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows, darkening around the edges. It was no pink-sand beach, but it was pretty.

I found the campfire where others were gathering.

Beach chairs had been set out, and a number of friends from Chained were already there, settling in and passing around forks for toasting wieners.

Although we’d been told our first official meal would be breakfast, in all the rush to get here, I had skipped lunch and never even considered dinner, so a hot dog cooked over an open fire sounded awfully good.

Bridger and Hudson were there, as well as several other couples, but sitting next to Hudson was the little I’d been watching out for. He was fitting a hot dog on his fork, but when I greeted Bridger, Quill looked up and smiled, the firelight illuminating his face in the growing darkness.

“Hi,” he said, standing up. “You came.”

“Of course.” I stepped to his other side, where an empty chair waited for me. “I’m glad you did, too.”

“Want a stick?” He held one out. “For hot dogs.” He lowered his voice. “I like them burned.”

“You do?” I tried not to make a face at the prospect but failed. “Burned?”

“Sure. It’s part of the fun of camping.” He broke into laughter. “Seriously, it’s probably the only great part. I’m not much of a camper.”

“You either?” I accepted a Tupperware container of hot dogs and jabbed one. “I thought it was just me.”

Quill fitted two hot dogs on his forked stick. “I really prefer a nice hotel room to a tent.”

“We have that in common.” I wanted to say more, but just then who should show up but Ms. Lily from Chained, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with Little Summer Camp.

“Good evening, everyone!” she called then waited while the chatter died off. “Ready to have a great time?”

A lot of applause and a few cheers showed that most of those here were far more enthusiastic campers in the group, including most of our friends.

When Ms. Lily announced the trip, I’d just let it go by, wondering why a nightclub would sponsor a camping trip.

But to judge from the excitement of those gathered around the fire, my opinion was in the minority.

“Okay, you can toast your hot dogs while I explain the rules of the game. You each have a number taped to your chair, and I’m going to pass around this box.

It is filled with rubber duckies, each of which has a number on it.

When you have your ducks, you can match it with the person sitting in that numbered chair and introduce us to them. ”

Everyone looked around, puzzled expressions probably matching mine.

“Ms. Lily?” asked a little I didn’t know by name. “How is introducing someone a game? And what if we don’t know them?”

“Oh, did I forget that part? Your introduction has to be a tall tale.”

“A lie?” asked another little.

“No, a tall tale. You can include elements of truth if you know them, but make it as big and unlikely as you can.” She grabbed the hand of a man who was piling more logs for the fire nearby. “Like this. I don’t know this person at all, do I?”

“No,” the puzzled camp employee said. “I’ve never had the honor.”

“Then let me tell you all about this gentleman, whose name is…”

“Juan,” he put in helpfully.

“Juan is the head zookeeper at the North Pole. He helps Santa with all the little creatures who want to live there and…” She went on while the poor confused employee stood and listened then drifted off to other tasks.

This was not a “little” evening, but everyone still enjoyed the tales, and they served the purpose of making sure we all had one another’s names.

Many people already knew one another from the club but not all, and as Ms. Lily and the campground employees passed out graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows, we wound up the evening in a cheerful mood.

Quill and I chatted some throughout it all and agreed to meet for breakfast before we returned to our own accommodations.