This winter I will celebrate my 33rd year of marriage. When I think back to our very first vacation as husband and wife, the memories that come to mind include a clear, cool, spring fed mountain tributary, aptly named the Frio River. This waterway has 10 acres of riverfront winding through a 1,420 acre recreational area named Garner State Park. This is where we spent our honeymoon.
The park is located in the Texas Hill Country, in a unique natural sub-region called the Balcones Canyonlands. The canyons consist of limestone, shale, marl, and siltstone uplifted to an elevation of 2,000 feet, creating a spectacular view of the landscape, the river, and the wildlife. We walked the rugged terrain bursting with juniper, oak, cypress, mountain laurel, and cactus. We spotted the both the axis and white tailed deer, squirrels, lizards, and countless birds. Chuck and I fished on the embankment, where we could see the brim swimming among the tree roots and vegetation. We tossed our hooks baited with worms, chunks of compressed white bread, fish roe, and diced hot dogs in their direction. The fish, however, were hesitant to dine on this paltry fare.
Although we were not totally isolated from our humankind, the park was in it’s off season due to the cooler weather. We met a few like-minded visitors, who relished the brisk outdoors. We were sensible enough to rent the more substantial lodgings (compared to tent sites). Our rustic cabin had a kitchen, living room with a wood burning fireplace, bedroom, and bathroom. The gas wall heater barely warmed the rooms, and we bundled up in layers of blankets, socks and mittens at night to ward off the chill.
This was our first of many forays into the world of camping. Since that first trip, we have slept in sleeping bags under nothing but stars, camped in tents in the woods, dozed off in on a mattress in the back of a pickup truck, and “roughed it” in RV’s at campsites. Garner State Park was the start of many years of exploring nature.
I used to love to camp when I was younger. As a child, our family joined other families for weekend camping adventures in the southern California mountains. Once I had my daughters, I took them on girl scout outings and also a three night adventure on the Appalachian trail. Camping simplifies what is necessary to survive and also provides an opportunity interact with friends and family without electronic interruptions. The closest I get to camping now is the fire pit in my backyard!
ReplyDeleteJill, Your comment about what camping is was so beautifully stated. I think that is why I love it so much. As we get older, camping does become more difficult, it is harder for us to get down on the ground, sleep on uneven surfaces, and brave the weather. The last camping trip I went on was in my sister's back yard in Pittsburg with her and her two daughters. The tent was on a slope, and we kept sliding down, and the sounds and lights of the neighborhood kept us awake. It was a bit uncomfortable, but it was so much fun. We talked and giggled as if we were all in grade school. The fire pit in your backyard can pull your family together just as effectively as a campfire. We just need to make the effort.
ReplyDeleteI love your writing. I have not done too much camping but I agree with your comment to Jill. In my younger days, even as a parent with my young son, we could go camping in a tent with no problem. Now, I would live the outdoor experience but would like my camper instead. Thank you for your beautiful writing and happy anniversary also!
ReplyDeleteThis has been something near and dear to us just recently. My wife and I began camping with our two boys this past summer and loved it. We tented for a few nights in our backyard as practice to see if we could really do it. Our fire pit ablaze and our neighbors over to view a movie projected on the side of our house. It was a huge success that led to camping at campgrounds. Yes...tenting is great, but the dampness was less to be desired. A Pop Up joined our family in the fall of 2010. All the comforts of home (including heat) but the lack of technology... We loved it so much that we have already booked a few weeks away this summer. Can't wait to go! Your posting got me psyched to go!
ReplyDeleteI love the fresh clean mountain air, although I have not been camping in a couple years. Embarrassing to say, I do not consider my tent camping "roughing it": big tent, cots, military mummy bags, tent heater, gas light . . . you get the idea . . . and I do not like dirty feet, so I heat water for a sponge bath a.m./p.m. (even shampoo my hair). It is getting more of a hassle to set up the tents, so I like a rustic cabin with the bare necessities. Years ago we went tent camping on the shore of Lake Mead on Easter weekend. That had to be the hottest Easter on record and you splayed out in the shade until the sun went down . . . dimmed my enthusiasm for camping at the Lake. Your writing creates such a visual and I, too, am enthusiastic about the coming summer. You would do great writing travel brochures!
ReplyDeleteCamping offers unique opportunities that you can't get staying in hotels. You get to see more of the area that's not so commercial, you see more of the plants and animals, you meet people from different places that actually speak! Camping experiences are shared and ideas for future trips or making camping life easier are shared. Although I've camped in tents, RVing is my favorite. You get all the above with a little more comfort of home.
ReplyDeleteLJ, what a smart idea to try tent camping in your back yard before taking the kids away from civilization. You introduced them to camping, created some memories in your back yard, and shared some good times with your neighbors. Don't you just love the pop up! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
ReplyDeleteSue, sounds as if your tent camping is well equipped and very organized. I am not suprised knowing the kind of person you are. I know that your appreciation for nature and your consideration for others would make you a great traveling companion. As campers get more "mature", I think their choice of accomodations becomes more domesticated. It is easier for the "young folks" to set up tents.
Sharon, You are so right about the kind of people who camp. They get out and strike up a conversation with the families, coulples, or individuals in the campsite. They share recipes, experiences, and advice. They enjoy nature and small talk and the promise of a new adventure. I also tend to lean toward RVing at this stage of my life. Now that's living!
OMG! I am so looking forward to camping! My family of 5 love to camp. At this time, our favorite spot is in Utah, a campground called Dean Gardner (used to be Blue Springs). Depending on your camp site, the lake is just yards away and there is a stream that leads to the lake. We usually fish for one day, play games at night, then go Crawdadding the next day. We have not brought ourselves to buying a camper yet, but we have tossed the idea of a pop-up trailer (I'm just too cheap to pay for storage each month, nor do I want to look at it everyday in front of my house).....so we still sleep in a big tent. We have a camping trip planned here in June and in August, we have one planned with my all my sisters and their families at Belknap campground in Sequoia National Park! I can't wait:)
ReplyDeleteCristina, Camping is such a great family activity. It can be inexpensive, although there are also a lot of camping products on the market available for purchase. The advantages of camping with children include helping them appreciate nature, reconnect with family, learn how to entertain themselves and others, and decrease their dependence on technology (dare I say that in this class?) If your family still can sleep comfortably in a big tent, I say more power to you. That is camping at its purest. I want to try out the places you mentioned in Utah, thanks for the info. I hope you have a great time this summer.If you have not been to Sequoia, I know you will not be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteYou commented on an observation of the type of people who go camping. They are an approachable, supportive, sharing, and friendly breed. When we first started camping, you could leave radios, cameras, and other valuables lying around your site. Several years ago, it became apparent that people were taking advantage of this naivety. I was hoping the problems were due to “outsiders” driving through campgrounds and taking advantage of good-natured campers. I also believe there are predators who take advantage and seek out victims from a trusting population, like campers. When my daughter was in high school, we frequently went camping and never had any fear of being unaccompanied. I have since become significantly more cautious and observant.
ReplyDeleteSue, It is true that in campgrounds, as well as society as a whole, we need to be more cautious about safety regarding people who would take things that don't belong to them or take advantage of, or harm others. I am afraid that it is a sign of the times.
ReplyDeleteI last was camping in the 80's, we took the boat and found an isolated island around the lake. It was so much fun, cooking out, watching the stars. Now I would think about the rocks I would be lying on, no bathroom and no hot shower. My perspective has changed on fun vacations as I have gotten older, nice comfy bed, room service, etc. Have fun and I want to see pix.
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