Portrait in Linen

(Photo: Chicago Daily News negatives collection; Chicago Historical Society)

Camping trip on hold for 24 hours. Girls picked up a nasty bug over the weekend, and symptoms began to manifest night before last. Been battling fever and dehydration in between perpetual loads of laundry and mass disinfection. Nothing like little kids’ illnesses to drive one to rubber gloves and hot, bleachy water.

So far, adults and biggest kid go unscathed, but with an incubation period of three days or so, I expect the bug will gain control of us tonight or tomorrow, if it swings that way.

Crazy for planning to camp in 90-plus-degree weather anyway, but “Arrowhead Shoals” is situated just next to a little river and some tiny rapids. The water is always cool, and with a new tarp shelter and “spritzers” (boy, did they make fun of me about that…but they’ll be glad I got them when we’re all sweltering and they find little spray bottles offer some relief), I’m confident we could maintain a decent level of comfort.

Plan A had us leaving this morning, but fevers are still hovering between 101 and 103. No one’s been able to keep anything down, and all are sleeping the sickness away–or lethargic at best when conscious.

Plan B has departure time for tomorrow morning, crack of dawn. Could we all be symptom-free by then? Maybe. Miner’s optimistic, but I formulated Plan C, just in case.

Plan C: Since Rocky leaves for Florida next week, this will be his last chance to camp with us this summer. We arranged for Steampunk to go, too, so that’s two disappointed teenagers if it doesn’t work out. I suggested Miner take at least the guys for a couple days’ camping and leave the infirm here with me.

He said, “We’ll discuss it. I’m not ready to let go of the Master Plan just yet.” Had to smile about that. I know Brute Determination, and I am of the general opinion it’s a good thing.

So, I won’t mention Plan C again unless it comes to that.

In the meantime, though, packing for Plan B, administering timely doses of fever reducer, distributing an abundance of water, and taking temperatures every three hours or so.