GETTING STARTED.....OR WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I DOING?

First of all, thank you for taking a peek at my blog.  I hope you will not only be entertained, but learn a few things as well.  So, sit back....grab a snack (healthy, of course) and let's get this going!

Many years ago camping was nearly an every weekend happening during the warm months.  We would load the truck down with firewood, tarps, tents and ice chests  and head out on Friday afternoon and live the primitive life until Sunday afternoon.  What a great time we had cooking over an open fire, fishing and just sitting and watching the stars.

Life has a way of spinning us in different directions and it can take awhile to figure out what paths our moccasins should be trodding down.  Quite often it is a path that leads to many surprises and blessings.  My journey happened to intersect with my youngest daughter and her infant son.  We are now a three generational family and my grandson is now nearly nine years old.

So, what does this have to do with camping?  It has everything to do with it.  Last spring my grandson, Elisha, developed an interest and curiosity in nature and camping.  I had been wanting to take it up again, but didn't want to invest in gear and have him hate it.  We talked about it together for awhile and he understood the basics of sleeping in a tent and co-existing with nature.  We were ready.

First, we did an inventory of what we had already and what we would need to buy.  Then off to Walmart we went to pick out a tent, tarps, a large water jug and other necessities.  Let me interject here concerning the tent.  A six man tent will in no way sleep six normal earthling men.  You can figure on maybe three, if they don't mind a little togetherness.  Our six man (or two gals and a little man) tent holds two twin air mattresses on each side and a sleeping bag and a lot of padding in the middle....and a Shih Tzu.

Always figure that you will probably only use one third of what you pack.  We did okay with clothes, but we always take too much food and other gear.  I'm working on that.  Maybe in six months I'll have that figured out.

Also, you will always forget things.  We have forgotten sandals to wear in camp or to showers, chairs, matches, coffee (gasp!) and last time we somehow left the air mattresses at home.  We managed, even when the temperature dropped to 45 degrees, to stay fairly warm.  I was out of there at the crack of daylight making a fire, though.  I swear it felt like I was sleeping on granite.

Now that you have an idea about prepping for camping, next time you will hear about Elisha's very first time sleeping in a tent.

Thanks for stopping by.  See ya later!