Happy Camper

It was a hot one this weekend. Why do people pack their trucks and trailers full of stuff to go spend time outside in 90 degree weather, battling flies and mosquitos? On the surface, it doesn't make much sense.

It had me thinking about this on the drive in. One of the morning guys on the radio said he hates it when people tell him he should like camping. No. No one has to like camping. Either you do or you don't. I could care less if you don't like going off into the woods and buring tons of wood in a campfire. No skin off my nose.

But why do I enjoy it? I think it entails a couple things. The simplicity of it all, the sense of adventure, the beer consumption, the company of good friends, the disconnection from the world. Each of these items beats out the con side: heat, bugs, and rain. We can defeat those with a fan or going into the small town nearby for an air conditioned bar, spays to kill the mosquitos, and a canopy to stay dry. If the rain is going to be that bad we can always switch days.

The next trip is in 2 weeks. Some were saying if it was going to be this warm again- high 80s, low 90s- that they weren't going to go. Personally I didn't think it was all that bad. It was very warm and you boiled in the sun, but it was overpoweringly humid. It cooled off at night so you could sleep comfortably. You may have needed a twelve pack in your belly to help but you slept.

Hell, I think the worst part of the weekend was the hot, sweltering sauna like restrooms and me forgetting to bring a hat. I also forgot my sleeping bag but I knew it wasn't needed with the predicated weather. I had a bed sheet with me that did the job just fine. Guess I need to make me a checklist for the next time. It seems like I forget something each time now.