Well, okay, that's not all I have to say.
I do enjoy camping, don't get me wrong, but boy do I hate camping. Incompatible statement? Let me explain...
When I used to hike with friends as a teen, I really enjoyed camping, because it let me hike.
When I used to camp at SCA events, I really enjoyed camping, because it let me stay longer at the SCA.
When I started seriously hiking as an adult, I really enjoyed camping, because it let me go deeper into the woods.
When I started camping with my wife and kids, I really enjoy camping, because it let's me hang out with my family.
But, camping itself? No. Why? Well, let's take a look...
- Sleeping on the ground, with a hiking mat and sleeping bag, my back can only take three nights at most, then I'm not standing.
- Cold. Cold nights trying to get warm. Cold mornings, trying to eat breakfast.
- Mosquitoes.
- Manually heating water for washing dishes and face.
- Sand. Sand everywhere. In food, in eyes, in hair, in sleeping bag, in coffee. (We camp at the ocean beach).
- Hike to the bathroom. The odd dude hanging out in the men's room. (The guy this year was really weird).
- No internet. Aaaak. No TV. Aaaaaaaaak.
- Trying to play card games in wind, rain and/or heat.
- Cooking, with two small burners, in the wind, rain, heat.
- A long drive there, a long drive back. Setting up camp, taking down camp. Loading the truck (at home and at camp), unloading the truck (at home and at camp). In one short word... Work.
But, okay, there are some great parts...
- Sitting and reading in quiet. Real quiet. Just birds and other wildlife (and, of course, the ocean).
- Sitting around a fire and watching the embers glow.
- Breakfast. Oh man, do I love breakfast while camping. Bacon, eggs, toast, corned-beef hash, coffee. I could, of course, eat the same while at home, but, somehow it's easier when camping. Possibly because there isn't a microwave, so no matter what I make, it'll take work.
- No TV. No iCarly. No Spongebob.
- Watching the kids jump happily in the surf. (Not strictly part of camping, but a by-product, like the sand in the "bad" list.
- Chatting with strangers you'll never see again.
- Watching my wife and kids have so much fun. Huh, can't top that one.
Guess I'll do it again.
