Camping - Who else loves camping?

People get on my case about going camping, especially solo. They simply do not understand why I enjoy sleeping on the ground or inside a sheet of nylon?

Give it a break. How can they understand. Camping for me is refreshing. Well, once I did. I was inside a gore-tex shell along a well populated bear path to water. That tent felt flimsy that night.

But camping is not about only the tent. It is the total experience. Being outdoors is truly BEING. Breathe fresh air. Listen to the lack of noise. It is the listening to the waterfalls and waiting by a bird’s nest to see the parent come to feed its young. It is birdwatching from inside the home of the bird.

I sleep well when I camp, most of the time. I love it. It is surely an affordable alternative to the prices of hotels and motels these days. You just have to be prepared with the right equipment, outdoor clothing and attitude.

If I do not lie on the ground and watch the stars at least 4 times a year (once for every season), I feel cheated. Yes, I like to lie outside ON the Ground in almost the same place in each season. You would be surprised how the stars look from the same place at different times of the year. (more or less).)

When I learned how to call owls by mimicking their sounds my camping adventures took a new turn. Incredible. Now night bird listening is as exciting as watching birds during the day.

Right. Friends and family worry about me. They think I am crazy. Sure the things I do are crazy to people who live in little boxes. I love being outdoors with nature. So call me crazy if you want. Now that is starting to sound a bit flakey but it is true.

A weekend in the wilderness with my camping gear and birding binoculars can recharge my spirit like nothing else can. I am in touch with all creation.