Campfire Hair

We finally were able to use our newly-purchased campground membership this weekend and we could not be more excited about it.

And even though I sit here listening to the washing machine work harder than it has in days, weeks possibly, getting the sand, seaweed, seashells, dirt, pine needles and marshmallow goo out of my children's clothing while my husband has left to "hang out" at the fire station for a few hours (aka: taking care of some work business), I am still feeling relaxed and a little like I am sitting around the fire laughing with my friend and reading trashy magazines.

I have the campfire hair to thank for that.

Haven't heard of campfire hair?

Let me tell you.

Campfire hair is the gift that keeps on giving, and giving and giving.

Long after I've returned home from said camping trip, no matter how much toxic shampoo I've lathered with (and repeated per instructions), no matter how many fluid ounces of conditioner I've let sit on my hair for the desired amount of time, no matter how much "after product" that usually makes my hair smell like coconuts, the campfire scent still lingers.

It's smell has permeated my nose hairs and made its way into my psyche. I suspect that even my dinner will smell like my hair.

I will visit the grocery store, perhaps the library and maybe even one of my kid's schools tomorrow and the people around me will begin to sniff and become aware of the campfire smell. They'll turn their heads in wonder, tilt their eyes in my direction and unless I high tail it out of there quickly, they'll be on to me, and my dirty little secret - that of the never-ending campfire hair!

But it's worth it.

It's definitely worth it.

Because for a whole day (a day that flew by way too fast) and two nights, my kids explored the beach, rode their bikes, told jokes, watched movies, swung on tire swings, played shuffle board, walked their dogs (and little sisters) and for the most part stayed out of my hair (no pun intended). Were it not for the invention of walkie talkies, this would not be possible. But thankfully, we have a reliable set of three that allows us to keep tabs on their where-abouts and relieves tons of parental pressure from our already heavy shoulders, not to mention the fact that we can give more attention to the tabloids that we've brought to read around the fire.

And so, all week I'll walk around catching a whiff of the campfire smell that won't leave my tresses, and I'll be reminded of the weekend with good friends, good kids, good dogs and yeah, a darn good campfire!

But, would it be too much to ask if the campfire hair could disappear by Friday? I have an important event to attend and I'd rather not meet new people (OMG! Seattle Mom Bloggers!)and have them think, "been burning wood lately?".

Maybe someone has some some tricks up their sleeves to share?