When I googled "camping with a tracheostomy" last week, I mostly found short lists of summer camps that accept medically complex children. A few forums suggested using an RV for traveling and camping experiences with a trach kiddo. We rented a large RV in 2006 and took five children to Devil's Tower, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. I can easily imagine how convenient it would be to "RV camp" with Nathaniel. Except we do not own an RV; we own a tent.

The weather has been day after day of too perfect to stay indoors. Nursing coverage is limited just to Friday and Saturday night shifts now, so when our nurse mentioned she might want Saturday night off, we jumped at our chance. We went camping.

There were hot dogs roasted over a fire, chili, s'mores, stars, long talks with friends and family as the fire died out, sleeping bags, cold noses, cold fingers, cold toes, and birds singing too early in the morning. There was also an IV pole, suction machine, heated humidity and compressor, feeding pump, oximeter, and crisp, cool, dry air that threatened creating a mucus plug. But Nathaniel fell asleep in my arms by the fire pit and woke up in a tent, so I can cross "camping" off the bucket list I have in my head for his childhood.

Perhaps next time we'll venture further than the backyard.