Don’t Feed the Critters!

Back from camping and loved every minute of it – even getting dirty and not being able to wash my hair, feet, etc. Gross, I know, but that’s what camping’s about – if you don’t get dirty, you’re not camping!

Best parts: The campfire and the night sky…. and beer, of course.

Living in an apartment, I’m limited to not having a fire pit outside my back door. Sure, I can hang out on my patio and grill out, but there’s no way I can swing a four-foot fire with real wood. Some day I hope to incorporate one of these into my own house, but until then, camp fires are my only option. However, I’d have to find a less expensive way to find wood. Four-bucks a bundle burns quickly.

As for the sky, city lights have reduced my star gazing to a handful of stars; the big dipper, Venus (a planet, I know), and a few other big, bright, shinny objects. Head an hour or so north and away from city lights, and I can see many more including a few meteors. Unfortunately, I’d have to travel a few hours further to see the Milky Way.

Cold beer and a warm fire…enough said.

Worst part: The bugs!

Normally, our regular camp site is pretty bug-free, but the incredibly dry conditions this year made the bugs come out in force. On top of that, the creek that normally runs year-round through the camp ground was almost completely dry and stagnant, a sight I’d never seen in my 8-years of camping at this locale. I can only hope this next winter will provide enough rain to restore the creek for next year.

Interesting parts: Critters

The dry condition and lack of resources made the critters come out, too.  The raccoons were unusually visible and brazen; two tried twice to get into our tent, those little stinkers. But there’s a reason you SHOULD NEVER FEED THE WILDLIFE…they are still scared of humans and will run at the clapping of hands or the stomping of feet. And that’s a good thing since wild animals can carry diseases and need to stay WILD.

Something (possibly a mouse) also got into our car and we’re not sure how or what it was – I’m still hoping I don’t find it! All I know is that it ate a few dry food items in the car, but not enough of anything to clarify what it was exactly. It’s also not great to find out while I’m driving down a curvy highway, “Oh, look, something ate my ClifBar in my purse! Should I pull over?”

However, I enjoyed watching the bats flip and somersault over our campsite come dusk. I’d cheer them on, “Eat more bugs! Eat more bugs!” They did their best.

Overall, relaxing for a few days in the wilderness was terrific. I hope to go one more time before the end of summer, but we’ll have to see how our schedule works out.

Note: The image of “S’mores” is from Typecast Creative. Curt Jensen is an illustrator that provides the vinyl figures. Very cute.

Wrapping up my camping theme week, what’s your favorite camping memory?