Tent Camping

Over the last year or so I thought that I might give tent camping a try. I love being outdoors and sitting by the campfire. But, I also love a shower and hate being dirty. So....what makes me think I would like tent camping? My idea of camping, for many years, has been a trailer or RV where all the comforts of home are included.

I researched tents and found the one I wanted and ordered it. Then I searched yard sales for some equipment. I bought a coleman stove, a coleman lantern, some pots and pans and utensils. And, of course, an air mattress. Then I began picking up other accessories at Wal-Mart. Soon I had accumulated enough "stuff" to go camping. I asked a friend, Loretta, if she was interested in going along. She has a brother (Chip) to my dog Jazz. So, we set a date (this past weekend), made lists and prepared to take the dogs and go camping.

Thursday we got off work early and loaded up the car and arrived at the campground around 4:00. We didn't go far....about 30 miles from home. We set up camp in about an hour or so and then headed back to town for Rachel's soccer game. We got there a little late and there were thunderstorms all around. At half time they decided to not play the rest of the game due to the storms. So, we headed back to the campground (after stopping at Loretta's house because she forgot her pillow). We got to see fireworks on our way back. I also hit a pot hole and flattened a tire on the way back. We were only a 1/4 mile from the campground so we called AAA on Saturday and they came and fixed it.

Our first night was very warm but cooled off towards morning. It was a hot weekend...in the 90s both Friday and Saturday. We just sort of sat around and talked and read and took naps and.....didn't do much. We tried to stay out of the heat as much as possible. The coleman stove worked like a charm and we did some charcoal grilling. Yes, we got dirty but there were showers close by. Overall, the experience was a success. We had a great time and we think the dogs did as well. Our only real problems were the heat and biting flies. I think it was worth all the work involved. Next time maybe we can find a cook and housekeeper to go along so we won't have to cook our meals and keep the tent clean. :-)

It's good to be back home and I'm looking forward to sleeping in my bed tonight but we are planning our next trip. Probably Labor Day weekend if not before.