I was raised in Southern California - the land of flip flops and the Beach Boys. There is a part of me that will always be that way but when I moved to Idaho in 1969, I was ready to adopt it's fine culture and all that comes with it.
The idea of camping is very romantic. Warm days and cool nights - smothering oneself in plaid and the softness of hiker boots. The reality is much different. Much, much different.
My first camping experience, while interesting and stimulating, has always been my point of reference. Suffice it to say that between my father wearing dress pants to fish in (he got in huge trouble when he ripped the knees out) and my step aunt who had to stop at every bathroom on the way home ( sorry T), this was not a good beginning for camping and me. Fast forward to a few years back - with that experience will behind me, Some friends invite us to come up and spend the night at their hunting camp. I have NEVER been so cold in my entire life, to and including this very day. We weren't prepared for that kind of cold in October and I still remember not sleeping and just hoping to live until the next morning. Little did I know that there would be more...
The next morning, I went out on my first 4-wheeler ever. It was great fun until I fell off and broke a rib. I knew we were too far from a hospital and if it was my time to go, it would be great. More pain than I could have imagined.
So, romance and plaid not withstanding, I am leery to try again. My girl would love to take the kids and I would go with them, relucantly. The whole hunting thing makes no sense to me. By the time you buy food, gas, guns, plaid shirts and all that stuff - your meat is running you about $312/a pound. Surely there can not be a man alive who would still use the defense, But, it is free meat!.
It was a prefect day to be by a fire with a blanket and contemplate life. In our second home, we started with firewood and then moved on to wooden pellets. This next house, we have a little gas stove that makes those coolish evening disappear with the flick of a switch. Maybe I can buy a camping video to enjoy on those nights...
