Once again I’m about to
embark on a camping trip… by myself.
Most people think that’s odd,
or daring, or crazy. I, on the
other hand, think it makes perfect sense.
After years of jobs where I’m “on” 24-7, the idea of spending time away
from telephones and computers always sounds like Nirvana. I can do what I like when I like
without having to take care of anyone else.
I don’t backpack in the
wilds, but rather go to state parks to find campsites that are relatively
private while maintaining access to the basic amenities. (Flush toilets and hot showers.) That means going online six months in
advance to secure the best sites.
(On the water for easy kayak launching and with plenty of trees for
keeping the sun at bay and stringing a hammock between them.)
Bugs? No problem. I have my screen gazebo at the ready! I laugh in the face of stinging
insects! (Or there’s always
StingStop for the occasional mishap.)
I have a respectable sized
4-person tent to accommodate my airbed and lawn chair. I also have a little fan to keep the
air moving within the tent. After
the sun goes down, I have a headlamp for reading in the dark.
Dietary needs have all been
accounted for. I have my Coleman
stove for quick coffee access in the morning, a marine cooler for keeping food
fresh, my little hatchet for splitting firewood for my fire-grilled cuisine and
my “roll-o-roaster” for perfecting the exquisitely browned marshmallow. Oh… and my box-o-wine for after dinner
consumption.
As for activities, I am
perfectly happy reading, solving crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble on my
Kindle. The occasional walk or
kayak outing take care of my need for physical activity.
There’s only one think that
might intrude on my tranquility this year….
Cleverly disguised as a
well-behaved canine, this dangerous beast knows no bounds when it comes to
fighting perceived evils. Look out
woodland creatures and fellow campers!
