All,
Thanks a lot for all the help and commentary!
I guess I left out a big part of the equation in my original post. I have a reoccurring lower back issue since the late 90's. About 2 weeks ago it went out whilst trying to remove the (uncooperative) 1yo (Harry) from the car. Could barely walk for 3 days. Not sure if this is common, but after 20 years of experience w/ this, for me there is a gray zone during the healing process. If I can't walk, (for example) no one asks me to pick up a kid.. I know better than to try.. Once I start mending, I get into this limbo zone where I can start doing things but there is no clear line where I should stop. If I cross this invisible line, I can get sent right back to square 1.
So, my injury put 90% of the work on my wife for our 1st run at camping.
We agree that camping w/ a toddler is doable but is it doable with 1.2 parents?
Specifically.. our 1st night we had issues with managing Harry during dinner. It's all 100% normal toddler stuff.. Problem is, I really don't want to lift him a lot. Maybe not at all. So Harry mgmt during outdoor cooking was a chore. He wouldn't stay in the trailer, wanted to be outside with older brother. Outside, he's climbing into the fire pit, eating everything he can get his hands on (1/2 of which is choking sized), yanking on the neighbor's grill, the neighbor's dog, etc.. I'm trying to re-direct without picking up..
At home he's never (and I mean never) been a bedtime problem child. Feed him, he conks out till the AM. On site, bedtime was a 2 hour fight. Outside noises, etc.
What it comes down to is we know it's doable. Is it worth doing? Do I plunk down the cash and buy a play yard so - if my back heals up quick (2-3 weeks) - we'd maybe fit in 2-3 (max) weekends? If we scrap the 2015 season and try again next year we'll have a different child and should have an easier run of it.
Also - we tried just a daddy / older brother day.. Harry went home w/ mom.. Rhys and I made it about 2 hours.. during a short walk I took a funny step and my back tweaked and I had to go back to the trailer and lie down for 20 minutes on ice.