Mom was telling me that it is tradition for many families to
go camping in a tent on Labor Day weekend. Some sort of get back to nature and
basic ritual. No TVs, phones, or pizza delivery. How hard could that be?
I gathered the family, dug out an old Boy Scout manual and
some camping equipment and off we went to the wilderness (far, far way from
conveniences of the Wood Pile). Breathe in that fresh air. [Big sneeze] I
forgot it is pollen season.
Let’s see, where is a good place to setup the tent?
I finally got the tent setup. It only took three hours. I am
a bit rusty with my rope lashings for the “A” frame pole setup for the tent. I
wanted the real camping “experience” for my family, no tin tents with
electricity, running water, and Wifi for us. I also made us a fire pit. What do
you think? Not too shabby if I say so myself.
Look, here is some of the local “wildlife” checking out the
campsite. She looks impressed with my camping skills.
Time to roast some sunflower seeds over an open fire. That’s
right, we are cooking on a fire. No Coleman gas stoves or BBQ grills here. This
is how our ancestors survived in the wilderness hundreds of years ago. They
lived the simple life. Who forget the matches!!!! (Three hours later Chippy
finally got the fire started by rubbing two sticks together)
No camping experience is complete without some campfire
music and scary stories. I played a few tunes on my Chipmunk size harmonica.
Then I told the kids the story about “Big Red” the red fox that sneaks around
at night and grabs unsuspecting chipmunks from their tents. He would flip in
the air and swallow them whole. The kids were terrified after the story. Off to
bed they went crawling deep inside their sleeping bags.
[Around midnight] Did I hear a noise? Let me peak out the
door.
Me scared, never. Do I hear leaves crunch and sticks
breaking? That must be a really big creature. [From inside the tent] Daddy, I
am scared, is that Big Red?
Honey, I think it is time we packed and went home, right
now!
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