Conquering Garner (and My Post-Divorce Fears): A Mom's Camping Adventure

Waze, bless its digital heart, was my only friend as I navigated the increasingly narrow and winding roads leading to Garner State Park. My internal monologue was a frantic jumble: Tent poles, sunscreen, enough bug spray? Did I pack the right kindling? A vistalocation.com article titled "Camping for Beginners" had been my bible the night before, and I clung to its (possibly delusional) promise of a serene, nature-filled escape. But right now, all I felt was overwhelmed. He would have known the way. He always knew which way to go. Always.

Ease to Find (Or Not So Much…)

My moment of navigational self-doubt bloomed into full-blown panic when Waze cheerfully announced, "Recalculating," and directed me onto a gravel road. A gravel road. My poor minivan groaned in protest, and a chorus of "Are we there yet?" erupted from the backseat. "Almost!" I lied, gripping the steering wheel. The 8-year-old was poking the 12-year-old, who was retaliating with dramatic sighs. My sigh, however, was far more genuine. "Guys, please! Just...five more minutes, okay?" Five minutes that stretched into what felt like an eternity. We finally emerged back onto asphalt, dusty and frazzled, but at least pointed in the right direction.

Setup: Campsite Chaos at #32

Campsite #32. It sounded so idyllic on the reservation confirmation. In reality, it was a patch of slightly uneven ground near the perpetually crowded river access. The real fun began with the Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent. I'd practiced setting it up once in the backyard, which apparently didn't qualify me as an expert. Turns out the texas heat wasn't my ally when trying to set up this tent. One of the tent poles snapped with a disheartening crack as I tried to jam it into its designated slot. A shaky YouTube tutorial on my phone became my lifeline, while the kids, bless their hearts, offered conflicting and utterly unhelpful instructions. "Mom, you're doing it wrong!" "No, that part goes there!" It took nearly two hours, several muttered curses, and a near-breakdown, but finally, the tent stood (mostly) upright.

Rules (and Raccoons): A Marshmallow Massacre

Apparently, one of the unwritten rules of Garner State Park is "Never underestimate the resourcefulness of raccoons." I learned this the hard way. Exhausted from the tent debacle, I accidentally left a bag of Great Value marshmallows outside the tent. At 2 AM, I was jolted awake by rustling and the unmistakable sound of tiny claws tearing into plastic. Armed with nothing but a flimsy plastic spatula, I stumbled out into the darkness, yelling and waving my spatula at the masked bandits. "Shoo! Get out of here!" I muttered, "Always unprepared. Always."

Bathrooms & Showers: Embrace the Flip-Flops

The public restrooms near the river were…an experience. Long lines in the morning were a given. The hand dryers were ear-splittingly loud. And the cleanliness? Let's just say I was eternally grateful for my Old Navy flip-flops. Shower shoes are not optional, people. They are a necessity.

Activities: Frio River Fun and Mountain Views

Despite the initial chaos, Garner State Park slowly started to redeem itself.

• Frio River Tubing: The crystal-clear, ridiculously chilly water of the Frio River was exactly what we needed. The kids splashed and laughed, paddling their Blue/Green Inflatable river tubes with gusto. I was hesitant at first, picturing myself capsizing and losing my dignity, but the cool water was so refreshing that I slowly succumbed to the relaxation. The sun glinted off the water, creating dancing patterns of light, and for a moment, everything felt…right.
• Old Baldy Trail Hike: The hike up Old Baldy was another story. "Are we there yet?" was the soundtrack of our ascent. The terrain was rocky and steep, and I questioned my sanity for suggesting this "fun family activity." But then we reached the top. The view was breathtaking: the Frio River snaking through the valley below, bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. It was worth every whine and every aching muscle.

• Campfire Sing-Along: As dusk settled, we joined a campfire sing-along. The familiar tunes of "This Land Is Your Land" and "Home on the Range" filled the air. Watching my kids laugh and sing, their faces illuminated by the flickering firelight, I felt a surge of…contentment. A mix of exhaustion and pure, unadulterated love.

Food: Foil Packet Fiascos and S'mores Success

My attempt at gourmet foil packet meals (chicken and veggies) was a culinary disaster. Some were burnt to a crisp, others were suspiciously undercooked. The kids were unimpressed. Hot dogs (Hebrew National, of course) were the clear winner, followed by the undisputed champion of camping cuisine: s'mores. Hershey's chocolate, graham crackers, gooey marshmallows… messy faces and sticky fingers were inevitable.

Gear Sarah Wished She Had:

• A better tent (preferably one that sets itself up).
• Headlamps for everyone (so I wouldn't have to hold my phone flashlight while shooing away raccoons).
• A portable phone charger (my phone almost died while using that YouTube tent tutorial).
• More wet wipes. Always, always more wet wipes.

Apps That Would Have Helped:

• AllTrails (for finding easier trails than Old Baldy...maybe).
• Star Walk 2 (for identifying constellations instead of just guessing).
• iNaturalist (for identifying…well, anything that wasn't a raccoon).

Finding My Way Back to Myself

The weekend wasn't perfect. There were moments of frustration, near-meltdowns, and questionable hygiene. But amidst the chaos, something shifted. I saw my kids in a new light: resilient, funny, and fiercely independent. And I saw myself, not just as "Mom," but as Sarah: capable, strong, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit adventurous. We found our rhythm, our laughter, and our connection under the Texas sky.

Will there be future camping trips? Absolutely. Will I be better prepared? One can only hope. But even if I forget the headlamps and burn the foil packets, I know we'll be okay. Because in the heart of Garner State Park, surrounded by nature's beauty and the love of my kids, I found my way back to myself.