We went camping with our friends, Jen and Chris and their kids and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their little baby at Hidden Valley, a campground in Milton, WI. This campground is so nice! The bathrooms are always spotless, they have a nice pool, a store, a clubhouse, laundry, and air conditioned cabins for rent. The place is very well maintained and is seriously one of the nicest places we've camped at over the years. And they recycle there too. Of all the campgrounds we've camped at, this is the only one I've ever seen that recycles. In fact, they provide campers with both garbage and recycling bags and pick your trash up right at your site so you don't have to haul it to a smelly dumpster. Their rates are comparable to most other places and well worth the money, in my opinion. And they don't charge extra if you have more than 2 kids! It's truly family friendly! If you live in southern WI or northern IL, check it out. It's a really nice, friendly campground. I think you'll like it.
Sitting around the campfire is my favorite part. We all sing
I got over 40 mosquito bites on my legs. My legs have been reduced to bloody scratches. West Nile anyone? I thought I stepped on a rock or something a couple months ago because my heel has been hurting like it's bruised. It's not getting better though. I'm almost in tears when I get out of bed in the morning because it hurts so much, and I walk like an arthritic old lady. It was especially bad this weekend. Stupid camping - having to walk to the bathroom and the pool and everywhere.
The weather was beautiful, absolutely beautiful all weekend. Not too hot, not too cold, not humid. You couldn't have asked for better weather. Until last night. It started storming in the middle of the night and it scared the snot outta me. I was wide awake watching the non-stop lightning and listening to the thunder rolling across the sky. I kept debating whether I should wake everyone, make a run for the truck, and drive to the bathrooms for shelter, or leave everyone alone and try to get back to sleep myself. I opted to stay in the camper, but couldn't get to sleep for a couple hours. I do not like being out in storms like that.
Instead of telling you about my trip, I'll show you.
 |
 |
| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Dawn, your heel pain sounds like plantar fasciatis. Both my husband & I have it and wear orthotics in our shoes to help with the pain. Yuor camping trip sounded fun this time!
ReplyDeleteMyless
It sounds like you have Plantar fasciitis. I have it too, came from wearing none supporting shoes and having a high foot arch. Now that mine is under control I live in my birkinstocks!
ReplyDeleteThose were mosquito bites? It looked like someone set loose a whole herd of killer bees on her back. My back is feeling itchy just looking at that photo.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. You might want to get that foot looked at. It could be the beginnings of a bone spur or, more likely, plantar fasciitis especially if the pain is worse in the morning. Good luck!
Wow! You were close to my old neck of the woods! I used to live in Janesville, just a 5 min. drive from Milton! I got eaten alive in 10 minutes outside! I can't imagine staying out! You are way more of a woman than me!
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your insightful blog! I enjoy reading it. As to your foot - it sounds like what my husband has - plantar fasciitis. There are some "treatments" but it simply takes time. google, of course, has LOADS of info on it. Kathryn
ReplyDeleteYou should have your "bruised" heel checked out by a podiatrist. It might be plantar fasciitis (sp?), and inflamed tendon in your foot. It's very painful and difficult to cure if you don't catch it right away.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you have Planters Facistis(sp) Before you get out of the bed try to stretch your foot for a few minutes. When your foot has been injured either from the rock or from Planters Facistis, when you get off your feet for a little while your body sends help to your foot trying to help which makes your foot become inflamed. Stretching your foot displaces the "help" and then it shouldn't be so painful when you step down. HTH
ReplyDeleteDo campgrounds really charge for more than 2 kids? I know a lot of your posts have sarcasm in them, but that's something that's totally believable these days and in this economy.
ReplyDeleteHa! We went camping this weekend too, but it was way up north by Portage. Milton is about 10 minutes away and that's too close. The Wildness Campground did recycling too, and if you gave them your aluminum cans, they would donate the proceeds to a charity. Very nice. You might want to check that one out. And ask for sites B62 and B63 cuz seriously, it's RIGHT ON THE BEACH. You can sit in the chairs and watch the kids swim without having to pack towels and snacks and all that stuff. The kids just wander in and out of the site. It rocked.
ReplyDeleteDawn - sympathy on the heel pain - I get it sometimes so understand! It's called plantar faciitis and you can look it up on the Web of course - \http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/heelpain.shtml covers it simply. I got prescribed insoles for my shoes so provide some shock absorbency, and since having knee surgery last year, am told to use them anyhow, even though the heel pain is now gone.
ReplyDeleteHTH
Jac (that mad woman over in France!)
Dawn, I'm no doctor (though I pretend to be one :) ), but it sounds like you have plantar fasciitis. The best treatment is to never go barefoot. I've had it and it is horrible! If you google it, you will find tons of info.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys had a great time camping. Personally, I hate it! :)
about your heels...yep...i feel that same thing...at first i thought just like you that i'd brusied it on a rock but after months when it didnt feel better i went to the doc...i have this
ReplyDeletehttp://www.plantar-fasciitis.org/
ahh, camping...my dear hubby wants to do that but so far we've not gotten around to it. i cant decided if you make me want to go or if you make me want to stay in the comfort of home. :-)
It sounds like you have plantar fasciitis in your sore foot. I know what it's like because I have it occasionally. I notice that certain of my shoes make it worse, especially if I'm on my feet a lot. It goes away after a while. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteYour heel may be Plantar Fascitis. Sounds worse than it is, but you need to get to a dr to begin PT so it doesn't get worse. My doc said it can take up to 2 years to "cure".
ReplyDeleteWOW! You sold ME on that campground and I live in PA. Sounds like you had fun, and hey, you deserve a break from the PC once in a while.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar feeling in my heel a few years ago, turned out to be Plantar Faciitis.
Your camping trip looks fun! I LOVE the slide show!!
ReplyDeletehad the heel thing, feel your pain totally. my prediction is heel spurs aka planters fascitis. good podiatrist can give you relief without surgery. i have orthotic inserts for my gym shoes and only buy shoes now with really good arch support and I have an easy stretch exercise I do when I walk upstairs at home and work. Cause, you know, exercise I have to set aside time for pretty much never happens. I almost never have the killer pain anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you might have plantar fasciatis. Look it up. I have been a longtime sufferer, and it's the worst for the first few months. Getting out of bed is a treat! And the best news? No cure! YAY! At least mine has calmed down quite a bit. But I have had that pain off and on since a year ago April. Wishing you luck with that! Try taking Aleve when you get up in the morning, that was my salvation when it first reared it's ugly head. Hope it feels better soon!
Go in to the podiatrist to have your foot looked at. I dealt with the same pain (worse in the morning but kinda worked itself out a little bit the more you move). I had to have it taped for a couple weeks to allow it to heal. I was told mine was plantar fasciitis and just takes time for the inflamation to go down. Hang in there, it gets better.
ReplyDeleteNot that I know anything about anything (I'll be the first to admit it...lol) but my gf had chronic heel pain and finally went to the doctor. Turns out she has plantar faschitis (I am sure I misspelling the bejezus out of that) and it has a treatment. She is feeling better. You should go to the doctor for sure!!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and know that I am not the only one with six kids who everyone thinks is crazy. About your feet...look up plantar facitis and see if that is not what you have....it is also called Flip Flop disease...I had the same thing and forget it if you have to go upstairs first thing in the morning....Dedra
The heel pain first thing in the morning sounds very much like the heel pain I've been having that is called plantar fasciitis (or plantar faschitis). Here's a link for more info.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=bone_joi/10174
Pat
It sounds like you have Plantar Fascitits. I get it sometimes too. The cure? Rest. With your feet up. Seriously. Stretching helps, too. I do it in the shower every day to keep it from coming back. And shoes with good support help, too. No cutesy flip-flops for me anymore!
ReplyDeleteI know, you'll get right on that, just like me.
Sounds like your trip was great!! Thanks, as always, for sharing with us!
Hi Dawn:
ReplyDeleteYour foot sounds like you might have plantar fasciitis. It would be good to get it checked out by a doctor, but given your schedule, you can probably test this theory -- and stop the pain a little -- by stretching our your foot each morning before you stand on it, and then doing so again if you're sitting or lying for long periods of time. Hopefully, this will ease the pain throughout the day.
The foot pain could be plantar fasciitis. (I always thought it was something the Good Feet Store people made up 'til I got it myself.) Before you get out of bed in the morning, flex your foot a few times. Wear good shoes with arch support. (I'd rather wear cute sandals in the summer, but what can you do?) The best stretch is to pull your toes back towards the top of your foot with your hand and press the thumb of your other hand against the sore spot. It sort of hurts while you're doing it, but it really does help. Unfortunately, only time takes care of it. Some people need surgery to correct it, but usually these things take care of it.
ReplyDeleteTee hee hee! "I want my two dollars!" LMAO.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great campground, but I gave up camping many many years ago. I'll rough it at thr Holiday Inn, thankyouverymuch.
ReplyDeleteYour heel pain may be plantar fascaitis (sp?). Have it checked out, relief is available! I know you've done more than your share of doc visits recently, but as we age gracefully (insert laughter here), foot problems become a real issue. From experience, I can tell you that PF, and fallen aches are the pits!
That is a VERY nice pool. I'm glad you had fun. We missed you.
ReplyDeleteyour heel thing sounds like what my mom has: Plantar fasciitis.
ReplyDeleteGirl...Yikes you poor thing. You need to get som mosquito repellent or skin so soft or something before your next trip. I would be insane with the itching.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteThe campground sounds fantastic! You mentioned your heal pain and it reminded me of something my father-in-law had. Here is a link: http://walking.about.com/cs/heelpain/f/heelpain.htm
Hope it helps! Wendy in Idaho
Wow sounds like you had a great time! Those smilebox photos r cute too!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing!
Ok, I believe its a nice place to camp but you really pay big time with the misquito toll...talk about paying in blood...! You can't even reach some of those spots to scratch.
ReplyDeleteKNOT Mom
Sounds like you really had a great time camping!! Your heel hurting when you first wake up is a sign of having plantar fasciitis or a heel spur. I have the same troubles and the dr. said to exercise your feet before you get out of bed and it should help.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh the mosquito bites!! That is insane!! There's got to be about 100 just on your back. Wow!! That stinks!!
ReplyDeleteI will say Brooklyn's smile is just the cutest. She lights up a room.
Hi Dawn...
ReplyDeleteLove your blog...
As for your foot...you probably have planter faciitis. Check it out on the internet. I've had it all year...nothing really helps but to rest your foot and try to stay off of it. It can take a long time. It is inflammation of the connective tissues in your foot. My daughter is a chiropractor and has helped me with mine...
Slow down ...and try to take it easy on your foot...
I really like the slideshow...great music to go along with the pictures!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you could have plantar fasciitis. My husband had it and the worst time is when you first get up in the morning. His got better when he started doing some stretches for his foot and wearing inserts in his shoes.
ReplyDeleteCamping sounds fun, but I like motel 6!
Your heal pain is probably Plantar fasciitis - basically a pulled muscle in your heal - takes a long time to heal, but you can check with your doctor for suggestions - good luck!
ReplyDeleteOMG! the picture of that one sign has me ROFL. where was that and what was it 'supposed' to be a picture of??? i'm totally dying. my husband has to see that. LMAO.
ReplyDeleteI know lots of people have given suggestions for your heel pain, but I'd like to offer, my mom had similar pain when she was in her 30's somewhere and she had heel spurs. Glad you had fun camping
ReplyDeleteIf I ever have to go camping, that sounds like my kind of campground!
ReplyDeleteI have heel pain like that in my left foot. It's really bad when I first get up, but most of the day I don't notice it as much. I guess I need to get it checked out, too!
ReplyDeleteHey Dawn, I might be stepping out on a limb here, but do you think it might be possible that you have -- say it with me now -- plantar fascitis. I mean I thought I'd better say something, because I was afraid that no one else would think of that. ROTFL
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny seeing 45 posts about plantar fascitis. Although that's what I thought it was too, when I first read your post. In case you didn't get it by now. LOL
Mosquito bites - yuk. Getting one or two makes me ill.
ReplyDeleteOnce you get a bite try a product- from Wisconsin - called Stingeze. It REALLY works. It comes in a little yellow and green squeeze bottle. Rub the stuff in a couple of times, no itch.
I've been avoiding the little devils all summer using the 'Off 'lanterns. I'm probably sitting in the middle of a cloud of toxic fumes but NO Mosquito bites, except for the ones from the skeeters that sneak into the house and get me.
HEY Dawn,
ReplyDeletedo you think it's possible, just maybe, that you might have plantar fasciitis?
LOL, I've never seen so many intelligent readers on one blog before. :)
Seriously, you have to ice it after being on your feet all day, take anti-inflammatory meds such as Ibuprofen, do flex-stretch exercises for your foot (this helps most people more than anything else)and wear orthotic inserts. Lady Footlocker has a pair of tennis shoes that will save your feet and allow you to let the damage heal without more injury. It's a New Balance 1223 with extended web support. There are actually several brands of tennis shoes that will really help with this condition, just go in and tell the staff at Lady FootLocker that you think you have plantar fasciitis and have them try on the different running shoes that are made for it till you find one that fits you comfortably. They're not cheap, but walking without pain (esp. when you get up in the morning!)is priceless. This helped me as much or more than my fancy podiatrist did! :)
Another trick... polysorb inserts (mine are by spenco) to replace the regular running shoe insoles. (They lift right out, and the polysorb ones are like a dream come true.)
And no, none of these name brands pay me anything. :)
Good luck, and happy walking!!!
So glad you enjoyed my home state of WI!! :)
ReplyDeleteAt least you got home before the tornados hit last night!!
ReplyDeleteEasiest stretch for Plantar fasciitis? Roll your foot over a tennis ball. I've got a tennis ball in my drawer at work for just that purpose.... off to stretch my plantar fascia!
ReplyDeleteDawn,
ReplyDeleteI am a new reader to your blog and am loving it! You are hilarious! I loved the caption on the picture of your son riding his bike! I LOVE that movie and have said "Two dollars!" on a number of occasions, myself! Keep up the great blogging! I am SO looking forward to reading your book!
I'm no expert, but maybe, just maybe, after reading all of those comments, I'm going with.....possibly.....
ReplyDeletePLANTAR FASCIITIS???
Good Lord. I don't think I want to EVER see the words Plantar Fascitis again!!!!
ReplyDeleteAbout the mosquito bites, if you up your iron levels it may help. I've had a SERIOUS iron problem all my life. And been bitten like crazy too. As soon as the iron problem was remidied, NO MORE BITES!!!!! By the looks of it, you could use some help!! Try comfry ointment. You can get it at most healthfood stores. Don't get lotion or salve. It has to be ointment. It will help IMMENSLY with the itch and healing.
Take care!!!
I agree with Lisa-Anne and my3boys. If all of these intelligent people agree, they're probably right. I didn't read all the comments, just scanned for plantar fasciitis, and saw it in most comments. I will say it could be a heel spur (I don't know how this differs from PF) but my podiatrist freezes my heel and gives me a steroid shot that always helps for awhile. She also gave me really hard arch supports for my foot (she says flip flops suck) that were $40. I thought it was ridiculous, but I went a little over 2 years between visits by using them. If it's an arch thing, supports will probably help, but come on, steroid shots are even better to ease the pain!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your blog cracks me up. I want to buy your book when it's done!
Ok, I won't tell you that it sounds like it may be plantar fascititis but only because 900 other people already did. It's definitely worth a trip to the doctor though!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely camping trips, except for the mosquitoes. And the storm (yeah... I was a bit freaked out by yesterday's storms, too!). And the VBS songs. But yay to the not having to haul trash, right?
I lived in Wisconsin for about 4 years, and the lovely corn and wheat fields brought back memories.So did the mosquitoes:-)
ReplyDeleteI won't even tell you what I think it is :) But I will tell you that I have it -- in BOTH feet!!!!! That's what I get for being a nurse!!!
ReplyDeleteCamping -- my favorite type of vacation!!! We are heading to Vermont on friday for a whole week of camping!!!
Hope your foot is better, and it sounds like you had great family time which is what life is about..
ReplyDeleteUnplugging and knowing when is the right thing to do...always..
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
"I got over 40 mosquito bites on my legs. My legs have been reduced to bloody scratches."
ReplyDeleteBwa! I just finished a blog entry where I talked about my bitemarks and said I stopped counting at 40. LOL
The sign picture????? Has anyone told them it looks "sexual"? Maybe they dont realize it!! LOL
ReplyDeletealso, someone please explain the "I want my two dollars" quote...and feel free to call me dumb, stupid,or totally out of the loop!!!
Oh, and your foot...could be plantar facitits!!!!!!! ROFL!!! YOur readers are all doctors!!
I keep my pair of high arch birkenstocks right next to the bed. I wake up, feel the pain in my heel, stretch my foot out, step into the birks, take one step that hurts, then the pain is gone.
ReplyDeleteI have hard wood and tile floors throughout my house and had been going barefoot.
Not anymore. I can't live with the birks (which were actually prescribed by my doctor when I broke my toe INSTEAD of wearing the cast boot thingy. He said they are just as good with support and don't look half as dorky)
I can't imagine how my heel would hurt without the birks, and my toe healed too!
Good luck!
So, according to your many MANY comments, you have something called plantar fasciitis but did you notice how many different ways readers spelt it? I lost count after a while.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say I was ROTFL at the 'butts please' photo as I did EXACTLY the same thing 2 days ago when I saw a similar bin ith that sign. I also took a photo & sent it to my sister. I'll be putting mine on my blog later haha! I think like a child too!
The heel thing sounds like bone spurs which is what I have and is very painful to walk, I had to get some special insoles for my shoes and had to wear my shoes all the time it helps.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time camping. Hope the bites on your legs go away soon.
You don't have to go to the Dr for your foot because all these people have told you what you have ... unless ... you want shots in your heel. I recommend them. They help alot.
ReplyDeleteNow that is my type of camping...restrooms, showers, laundry, camp store. My bf's idea of camping is sleeping in a crappy tent, peeing and pooping in the woods and a lake for fishing. The fishing part is ok even if we never do catch any fish. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo - now that everybody has told you what's wrong....may I recommend my favorite new shoes that make my plantar fac'its (easier to spell that way!) better? I bought a pair of Chacos (shock-oh's) a couple weeks ago. They have the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of approval, and they're wonderful. My foot was starting to hurt again, and it's all better now. They cost $100, but hey, maybe you could get them to send you a pair to review?!?! And even if they won't, the are SO worth the $$.
ReplyDeleteBrenda in SC
Oh boy, was it Savannah who got the mosquito bites? Poor her!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm....I wonder what the heal pain could be? Jeez, if you only had some readers who could help. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem and just went to the podiatrist two weeks ago. The shoe inserts and exercises are not helping. Maybe you should go before you've had the pain for two years like me.
I'll be in Chicago next week! Yaaay!!!!! I love the food, the shopping, the whole thing!!!
You also might have a bone spur. It can be very painful as well.
ReplyDeleteLol, I won't mention your feet because it sounds like you got that covered ;)
ReplyDeleteBut here's my 2 cents...um, I don't think those are mosquito bites. They look like hives to me. Could be an allergic reaction to something...did they seem to spread the more you scratched?? I used to get them, still do sometimes :/ Just sayin'
Good, uh, luck with the feet ;)
Love the camping story. I love to camp but we don't go very often. I was thinking of your foot hurting. I had quite a bit of trouble with mine for about a year and I could'nt get the pain to stop. I thought of all of the possilbe causes and finally concluded it was arthiritis and tried to find a home remedy to help me. I bought a pair of Crocks. Not the generic kind for $5.00 but the real thing. They helped my feet more than any thing else. Now they seen to be better. Probably ol' Arthur and he'll be back some day to cause me more grief. Anyway, it might help you.
ReplyDeleteSo have you heard enough yet about plantar faciitis? Boy it sure can be painful in the morning. I keep a pair of sandals next to the bed - ones with slight heels. It seems to help. My barefeet never touch the ground in the morning.
ReplyDeleteOne word - Superfeet shoe inserts. Maybe that was 3 words. Run around $30 but are wonderful. Best worn with shoes that have removable innersoles
Look for some calf stretching exercises.
Always enjoy your camping stories,Checked out the hidden valley website, looks great, we are making plans to camp there soon. Another nice family campground in this same area you might enjoy is Camp Crazy Horse in Brodhead WI. Very reasonable rates, and tons of activities and amenities for kids.
ReplyDeleteWell, all 920000 comments on what is probably wrong with your foot is right on.
ReplyDeleteJust wait until you see the night splint the doctor suggests you wear nightly.
Hint: Frankenstein is walking about wtih one boot!
I just read my comment and saw that I misspelled a word AGAIN. I rarely comment and I always have some misspelling or grammatical error. Thanks for not making me feel even dumber about it in your blog.
ReplyDeleteEvery time my husband and/or boys mention "poop" and "shovel" in the same sentence, I reiterate the fact that I DON'T CAMP! Now, if I went to a place like the one you went to with shiny bathrooms and a pool, I might consider it. Does anyone know if we have those in Colorado? When I Google it do I put in, "campground with shiny bathroom and pool and you don't have to dig a hole to poop in"? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteAnd now you have another reason for poop to come up on your "what-people-googled-to-get-to-my-blog" thingy. Oh wait, maybe that was butt...