Camping Goes Awry After Skunking In San Clemente

So....what makes a better story than finding out you littered your belongings somewhere across a 4 state stretch of the I15 Northbound within the last hour of your journey? How about getting skunked?

And, by this, I do NOT mean we went fishing and didn't catch anything. There was an actual fluffy tailed feline involved (I truly had no idea skunks were from the cat family?). And, it sprayed us. By us I mean: the dog (darned good Aim too...right between the eyes), the 7 yr old, the hubby, and yours truly. The latter three in.the.head. Let that sink in. The top of the head. While sleeping. At about 5AM a few Saturdays ago.

It's taken that long to extinguish MOST of the odor. By the way, oil based skunk spray (ok...ok...urine... ewww)....for those of you who don't know, does not easily come out of hair, fabric etc. Though straight, thin hair does seem to bear an advantage over thick and curly for you scientists out there. Also, at point blank distance, skunk urine smells little like eau de dead skunk on the side of the road. It's worse. Much, much worse. And, by much worse, I mean other, intensely foul odors are a relief to the senses. It is toe curling, eye watering, nose burning, vomit tasting disgusting and that is even underplaying it. The dog couldn't wait to get away from it. She rolled in the dirt, pawed at her eyes and relieved herself to start. We covered our noses, cried a little and then, finally, Sat by the campfire in the early morning (Did I mention that water intensifies the smell, even now, 3 weeks later?) rain. And laughed hysterically Like crazy rednecks.

Who get sprayed with skunk urine.. Yea. It rained. Right after we were skunked. And right before the dog went to the groomer and I went to the hotel, to wash my hair, many,many MANY times. About 15 to be fairly exact...sometimes with grease cutting dishwashing soap. And then still decided to get the shortest hair cut this head has seen in 20 years. That lovely little salon on Del Mar took me in. BLESS THEM. Despite the smell. Do they ever have a new story to tell? Why was that blonde woman walking up (all the way up as I had to find parking somewhere) Del Mar with a white hotel towel wrapped around her head in camping clothes??

I am pretty sure I left there a legend. And...though they did their best....and it was a pretty darned decent effort. It.Still.smells....In the shower especially. Something about the wetness....and the enclosure. You know, I always wanted one of those huge showers with no door....and two showerheads. I just never really knew why. Before now. I also used to think skunks were cute. They are not cute. I officially change the name of Puffy, the now ironic seeming, stuffed, black skunk with the adorable white stripe that I carried until it was falling apart when I was a child to STINKY. My alternative name is NOT child friendly. Starts with a little and ends with an -er ending F
word used as a noun. Allison Huke you might appreciate that English language usage discussion. Anyhoo... Susie Saunders, your lack of camping interest (all of 30 minutes that weekend) seems far wiser than your years. I should've stuck with the hotel room I had booked. And paid for. True story. Would've been cheaper than the grooming bills created by the incident that will now forever be dubbed "the skunking". My favorite advice? Because this happened at the camping event celebrating the 18th birthday of the child who was not directly involved in said incident? Change the theme of the event to : happy birthday little stinker.

Thank you Ginger Bohland Aliotta for that giggle in the middle of what can best be described as a rough day. Also, this one's for you Laura Futerman Bennett, my advice to you, my Facebook friends : listen to your friends.

They are watching out for you when they attempt, multiple times, to warn you that San Clemente State Beach has a skunk infestation.

Consider yourself warned.
#skunksarenotcute