Klondike again

Just when I think I am ready for something, things change.

It was hard enough last year to let my young son head off to Klondike. You may remember that I was worried about having my child returned to me with all of his fingers and toes.  I prepared him the best I could.  I bought gear that kept him warm and happy. I made sure that he packed it all and sent him off.  He returned happy and full of adventure. And he had all of his digits.  I was secure that as the years wore on, this would just be old hat for me. I could just buy the bigger sizes of what I had previously purchased and all would be good.


Enter this year. The strangest winter I can remember in the Cleveland area. Snow? We don't need no stinkin' snow. Cold... not as much. What is going on??
It is RAINING in January and the temps are hovering right around 40 during the day and not even dipping to freezing at night.  So when it does snow, it is that wet, horrible, slushy, heavy stuff.
You know, the stuff that is just perfect to camp in. UGH!  I don't even know if he is prepared this weekend for all the wet, damp, cold and mud.

It takes every ounce of self control not to turn into a raving lunatic of a mother, insisting that he stay home and sit by the fire with some hot cocoa and watch NCIS or House with us all night.  I know that in my heart of hearts, this is good for him. I don't need to hover. He will learn from all of this. He will have fun. He is making great memories of his childhood. So, I drive him and hang out in the parking lot while he largely ignores me. He is doing important stuff, like loading the trailer and talking to his friends. One quick hug before they leave and I get in my car and head home.

It's quiet here. And I am worried about fingers and toes again. SIGH!