First off I am just getting back from a beautiful vacation in Big Bear, California were my wife and I discovered that we are still able to camp. This was our very first trip in four years. We had both suffered many health problems that took away from us doing one of our favorite things. We even camped in our tent, just like the old days. Of course now we do kinda go the luxury route of a big spacious tent with cots and our power pack and a heater. Now I know there are some of you shaking your heads telling yourself that, that is not true camping. So to you who are still shaking your head I got one word – Age. Yes I could probably do without all those conveniences but I choose not too. I have had my share of sleeping on the ground freezing my ass off. I did my time of crawling in a tent lying down just to put my jeans on. My bones do not work the way they used to and if I want a few little luxuries to make my nights more tolerable then dammit I will. I still light my campfire without ever using a match, how many of you can say the same?
I used to belong to a group here in California called Camping Women. It was an excellent group and we all shared the love of the great outdoors. We had women from all walks of life in our group. Many of these women have camped longer then many of you are alive. Yes they also did there time, so when they now pull up in RV’s who can blame them. At least they are still getting outdoors and enjoying the company of self minded people. We had a very diverse mix from college professors to the unemployed. We would play board games together (remember those, no electronics needed), sit and tell stories by the campfire at night. We had those who would pull out guitars, harmonicas, bongo drums and we would sing and dance and enjoy life. Unfortunately after over 35 years the group could no longer sustain its membership. Younger girls had no interest in camping and the rest of us, yes we are getting along in years, and each one becomes a little harder to make that long drive up a mountain. So the group folded a couple of years ago. It really is a sad thing, but most of us do keep in touch and we still try to get together trips here and there.
I learned many things by being a part of that group and I will forever be grateful to all the ladies who made it all possible. Now to my question – To camp or not to camp. For you parents who have children that are younger and you want to teach them there is life beyond computer games, go right now and buy a tent. Make reservations at some of our great national parks. Spend time with your kids that involves showing them respect for our great planet. Remember if you don’t take this time your kids are being deprived of being kids. To often I see parents that just shove there little ones in front of a TV and say, well its and educational program and they are learning from it. That may be but don’t you want to be the one teaching them that same thing. Your children are going to grow up fast and what kind of memories are you going to leave them with. Are you going to be that parent who’s kid says I don’t remember a lot of my childhood but I do remember watching TV and I can quote you almost every commercial (oh wait kids can now fast forward through those). Or are you going to be that parent that kid says we went here and there and we cooked over a campfire and watched the stars, we learned how to hike and learned the different animals that live there. That is the kind of memory I have given many of my nieces and nephews as I used to take them whenever possible. I guarantee they still hold them memories dear because whenever I see them, we still talk about them.
Camping is a great activity and it is not expensive when you consider the cost of a hotel room these days. Camping brings a family close and helps us all to learn more about our planet. If you really want to leave a kid with a feeling of self worth take them away from there electronics for one week and spend that precious time outdoors. Some day as humans we will eventually destroy all of mother nature, will you know how to survive when the lights go out, will your kids? I am not trying to be cynical but everyday you see more and more land being lost to what we call progress, get out and just see the beauty that is still mother nature before its to late.
Our campsite
Our tent, as you can see it is nice and roomy.
Always some Steller Jays to amuse us.