So This is Camping
796 Words
The trio arrived at their destination. "Mountain Park, Campgrounds and Wildlife preserve" read the sign at the entrance. The girls pulled into the rocky parking lot excitement written all over their faces as they looked out of the windows.
"We're here!" Aida exclaimed as she parked the car and shut it off.
They all jumped out of the car to stretch before racing to the Ranger's Station bathrooms and relieving themselves.
"I'm gonna go let the ranger know we're camping for the weekend," Aida said as she pointed to a door that said "Campers check in here".
"Okay!" Marcy and Lily said in unison.
Lily linked arms with Marcy and they walked around the nearly empty parking area. Aside from their car, there were a couple park ranger trucks and one other beat up, old sedan with a canoe on a the roof. They were taking in the view of the maze of trees and observing the signs and maps that tell you where the rivers, lakes, and campsite are. The girls weren't paying attention and walked in front of a Ranger on a golf cart.
"AHHHH!" They screamed.
She came to a screeching halt a few feet from them. BEEP BEEP, she honked at them.
"Watch out, ladies! I almost ran you over!" the ranger exclaimed angrily.
"OHMYGOSH WE'RE SO SORRY," Lily said and pulled Marcy away to the building where Aida was coming out.
Aida called out to them as she walked over, "Alright. We're checked in, let's go."
"Did you see that we almost got ran over!" Marcy said.
"Yeah I did," Aida laughed.
"It's not funny! Why are you laughing!?" Lily said, irritated.
Aida and Marcy skipped merrily to the car with Lily trailing behind them, rolling her eyes at the two children in front of her. They grabbed their tent, bags, and drink cooler. Thankfully the drink cooler rolled because after 15 mins of walking, their bags seemed like they had gotten heavier.
"Such a beautiful view," Marceline said in awe of the squirrels and birds dancing through the overhead branches of the evergreen trees.
"Aida and I love camping here. I'm so happy that we could bring you," Lily walked backwards in front of Marcy and Aida while she talked, clutching the bagged tent close to her body.
The trail twisted and turned through the woods and they arrived to nearly empty camp site. The area had a wooden log fence around it. It was mostly dirt from foot traffic but has grassy patches and small flowery weeds. It had more signs pointing down each of the trails, a couple of rock circles where you could build a small fire, and an out house close by so you didn't have to walk 15 minutes back to the Ranger station. Only one other tent was there off to the far left side of the campsite and it didn't seem like anyone was currently in it.
"Since someone else is here too, we should go over there" Aida pointed towards the far right side of the campsite.
Lily & Aida pitched the tent together and unsure of what to do, Marcy set down her things and started looking for sticks for a fire. While gathering small sticks around the campsite, she overheard the couple talking, which turned quickly into a heated argument about setting up the tent.
"AIDA you never listen"
"Lily I KNOW how to set up my own tent"
"Clearly you don't. If you let me do it, I'd be done putting it together," Lily said in a condescending tone.
"Can you just be patient for once?? I don't always need your help."
"Well look at little miss independent here. I always have to do everything for you, even at home!"
"LILY I go to School 6 hours a day and then go to work when I'm off. I'm sorry but I DON'T wanna come home and do chores! At least you get days off and--"
"Hey guys, I'm going to go look for more sticks, I'll be right back, " Marcy interrupted and turned away, walking swiftly down one of the trails.
"Okay Marc'... Be careful!" Aida looked upset as called out to Marcy who was already speed walking away from the campsite.
"Make sure you stay on the trails or you might get lost," Lily added.
She heard the fighting continue behind her.
"Now look what you did, Lily! You don't have to belittle me in front of her" Aida exclaimed.
"BELITTLE you?! I---" Lily's voice trailed off as Marceline got further away from camp.
She could hear expletives echo off the trees.
- Okay so maybe I lied. Forget looking for sticks, I'm exploring. They can have their petty lover's quarrel. So where do I go first...-
- Writer
