The Ultimate Challenge?

I have been debating taking the kids on a weeklong adventure to a national park. At first I thought "how can I camp in such a glorious place without them?" I realized a day or two ago that my motivation to take them is to actually conquer what is one of my greatest single parent fears. That we will not go on amazing trips because I won't be able to handle them on my own. If I can get them through a flight, a five hour car ride and five days of camping, I can do anything. But is this a challenge I SHOULD take on? Will the kids have fun or be miserable? Will I be miserable?

Many of my friends are taking their kids on these great summer adventures and I want to do the same. With or without a partner.

Ironically, we have already done more this spring than we did last year with my husband around. We have camped twice already. Driven two hours to a friend's cabin and driven another two hours to visit a friend who was camping. We are doing plenty. We are planning another camping trip over the next few weeks. In the meantime I have hiked more than ever. No one is missing out.

I wonder if I would be less intimidated about such a long trip if I had been their mom from day one. On the flip side, I know many less independent women who have had their kids from day one and would not do major travel with them because they themselves are not comfortable with travel on their own. 

I am looking forward to meetingT a friend for lunch today with who I can talk this out.

A few updates:

Yesterday my daughter told me that "k is my biological mom and you are my real mom".

My son actually told his dad he missed me.

My crush actually did text on Sunday morning and wound up coming hiking for part of the day. I kept going when he turned around. I got confirmation that he is indeed 12 years older than me. Not 
sure it matters. We are at similar places in life and heck it is just a crush : ) I am finding that he is very last minute about things. I am not much better about planning. I think he does better when others  take charge and tell him what is happening. I am good at doing that but do I want to? 

Again, just a crush...and it never hurts to have another friend! Particularly one who will hike.