The Camping Conspiracy

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:08 pm

Is it just me or does society promote the camping experience as a good thing to affect our self esteem and good will towards each other?

If you sincerely enjoy camping tell me why and where, lest I stick to my conspiracy theory. (and Lord knows we don't need another of those)

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:52 pm

A guy I worked with asked me if I'd ever tell anyone if I woke up with a used condom hanging out of my arse. I said I'd keep quiet about it.

Then he asked me if I'd like to go camping. Does this help?

venus · Post by **venus** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:57 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: A guy I worked with asked me if I'd ever tell anyone if I woke up with a used condom hanging out of my arse. I said I'd keep quiet about it.

Then he asked me if I'd like to go camping. Does this help?

ok now there is a mental picture that will scare me for life!!!!!

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:05 pm

It seems that most people claim to loooooove camping. I'm with the Deliverance point of view :guitarist . Your experience does sadly not surprise me, Uncle K.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:25 pm

I would go camping...so long as I had a cabin. Oh yeah, and plumbing, and electricity..and a laptop. So yes, I would go camping.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:26 pm

Camping with the proper gear is a BLAST.

By proper gear I mean at the minimum, the following things:

Air mattress

Bug spray

a good knife

Comfortable shoes

Hiking boots

a good campsite

When I went camping in the Porcuine mountains in Michigans U.P., we had one of the most rustic sites there. Basically, a piece of the ground had been leveled out so your tent could be pitched with relative straightness.

We were about 10 yards from the river, where I washed my hair every day, and were surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of acres of woods with some rough trails cut in to tromp through. We had a cooler full of food to last a week, and enough firewood to cook and keep us warm at night. We saw "Lake of the Clouds" named so because it is such a still and mirror-like lake that it looks just like the sky when viewed from the lookout about 500 feet above it.

There was no one else at our site, although it could accomodate a total of 4 tents, so we had the place all to ourselves. We spread out with our lounge chairs, an overhead tarp to provide shade, beach blankets drying in the trees nearby, a good set of camping cookware, even a coffee percolator that you set right in the coals of the fire.

It was one of the best, most relaxing vacations I've ever had.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:32 pm

I grew up in the wildernesses of Montana and Colorado. My father and myself spent many long days on the trails of the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. I've been to places that I don't think other men have ever been. There's something special about being at the top of the Continental Divide hundreds of miles from civilization. It's like nothing else.

I loved the sound of the wind whispering through the pines, the taste of caught-by-yourself rainbow trout being sauteed in cornmeal, heck even the kool-aid tastes better. I've seen deer so tame you could walk right up and pet them. I've been chased by bears and even an angry moose once.

And is there anything that beats telling stories and singing around a campfire until late in the morning? I think not.

The problem with camping is that you are supposed to get away from it all to a time of easier and more primitive days. Most people don't get this. They take campers, RVs, laptop computers and satellite dishes. They worry about their jobs and bills while they are gone. They don't live off the land in any way or form. In short, they miss the whole point.

I can still see my father up ahead on the dusty trail if I close my eyes. I can still feel my special knife and the way it cut soft pine when I whittled and the wieght of the backpack on my shoulders. I can smell the meadows of moutain flowers and feel the crisp morning air on my skin as the warm hot chocolate pours down my throat. I hear the fire crackling softly in the morning light and hear the birds singing in the trees. The Pikas are calling to each other from the rockfalls with little squeaky chirps.

Best of all, the promise of an ice-cold dip in a stream so clear, cold and fresh every nerve in your frame is kindled.

To find that water in the city, you'd have to buy it in a bottle, but in the high country, you can swim in it all day if you want.

There's something in all of us, something wild, that sleeps in the city. It only wakes in the mountains, far from civilzation. When it's not there, you don't seem to miss it much. Kind of like a relative you haven't seen in ages. But when you are in the mountains, it comes rushing back full force with enough emotion to bring tears to your eyes.

That's what camping is all about.

venus · Post by **venus** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:33 pm

we used to go camping alot as a child..

one year we arrived at the allocated place for our tents, it was a family occasion and it was dark so we just pitched and thought about getting a better position hte next morning.

We were all awokeen at about 5;30 the next morning by my mothers terrified screams...

we had by accident camped in a farmers field and it has cows in it, one of which had entered my mum and dads tent and was happily licking my mums feet.....

we kids could do nothing for laughing my dad couldnt either....well it was only a cow...not a raging bull..

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:36 pm

The Feng Shui of the site was decidedly lacking the water element. My daughter claimed it was "in the plummage" (plumbing servicing the sites) I had trouble finding that to be a source of comfort.

A river might have helped. The half way thing of supposedly "roughing it" while hooked up to hydro and "plummage" was not rewarding.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:16 pm

Jives wrote:

And is there anything that beats telling stories

:yh_giggle

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:18 pm

Marie5656 wrote: I would go camping...so long as I had a cabin. Oh yeah, and plumbing, and electricity..and a laptop. So yes, I would go camping.

Isn't that a bit like having a window box and paving it ?

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pm

I often wake up in a tent

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:23 pm

I got guilted into it by my parents, who also guilted me into having 'fun'. Why? I have nothing to feel guilty over. Currently. That I know of.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:27 pm

koan wrote: I got guilted into it by my parents, who also guilted me into having 'fun'. Why? I have nothing to feel guilty over. Currently. That I know of.

We used to have a Louis XV style mirror that was guilted

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:29 pm

By the time you get to XV there's got to be something to feel guilty about! I'm thankfully void of any inheretical viewpoints.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:32 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: We used to have a Louis XV style mirror that was guilted

On reflection, it was quite a nice mirror

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:33 pm

Careful. Everything is backwards in there.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:35 pm

valerie wrote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jives

And is there anything that beats telling stories

:yh_giggle

Oh damn, my tongue hurts.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:38 pm

Now now - play nicely girls :yh_giggle

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:44 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: Now now - play nicely girls :yh_giggle
Hey....for me to bite my tongue with THAT wide open door shows remarkable improvement in my behavior and almost inhuman strength of will. Seriously.

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:48 pm

this discussion is purely camp smoke and mirrors

bigears · Post by **bigears** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:54 pm

When I was a young chap I spent several months hitching/camping/working around Australia and New Zealand. I had a tent, sleeping bag and a couple of cooking pots attached to my rucksack. Happy days. I pitched the tent in many places; the side of the road, petrol stations, farms etc as well as on the beach, in the bush and the odd campsite. The point was you could pitch up anywhere and not really care too much whether there was hot running electricity or a capuccino bar nearby. OK I am older now and my creaking bones might complain if I were try and repeat the experience but when you're 21 and trying to see the world for free who cares? IMO anyone who never tries this is missing out on one of life's great experiences. Conspiracy? :rolleyes: Naaaah.

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:56 pm

bigears wrote: Conspiracy? :rolleyes:

My what big ears you have. My what big teeth you have!

Conspiracy indeed.

bigears · Post by **bigears** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:01 pm

koan wrote: My what big ears you have. My what big teeth you have!

Conspiracy indeed.

All the better to debunk conspiracy theories with :sneaky:

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:07 pm

Hear me roar! Extended camping is for lunatics who believe that humans are superior beings. We are only alive because they allow it.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:11 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: I often wake up in a tent

:yh_eyebro :yh_rotfl

bigears · Post by **bigears** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:13 pm

koan wrote: Hear me roar! Extended camping is for lunatics who believe that humans are superior beings. We are only alive because they allow it.

Camping commandants?

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:13 pm

Betty Boop wrote: :yh_eyebro :yh_rotfl

Call me slow. I didn't get it. How come you did?

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:14 pm

bigears wrote: Camping commandants?

Command-rants. There's a difference.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:17 pm

As a child I remember 'camping' in the back garden, the one night we actually stayed out there later than 10pm there was a huge thunderstorm, we made the backdoor ten seconds after the first flash of lightning! :wah:

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:19 pm

koan wrote: Call me slow. I didn't get it. How come you did?

Ummmmmmmmm :-3

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:25 pm

Betty Boop wrote: Ummmmmmmmm :-3

If you say "you had to be there" I'm telling EVERYONE.

bigears · Post by **bigears** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:26 pm

I also have fond memories of a campsite in Portugal where I spent a few weeks hanging around before heading to Spain. Long story. There was a building site next door from which we we stole breeze blocks for a fireplace, steel tubing for a windbreak and rope for a washing line. The wine cost 50 escudos a litre (see how old I am) amd the deposit for the flagon was 100 escudos.

DesignerGal · Post by **DesignerGal** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:00 pm

I hate the outdoors. I dont like anything that flaps. Birds especially. Its dirty and gross and you never know what will fly into your mouth.

I prefer to be at the beach, mountains, etc inside a lovely light filled bedroom with 800 threadcount sheets, the fluffiest down comforter you can find, a good book, watching all that nature through a thick piece of glass. ....a big window.

Just my opinion.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, a nice bottle of red zinfandel, shiraz or a nice peppery merlot during the winter months.

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:56 pm

DesignerGal wrote: I hate the outdoors. I dont like anything that flaps. Birds especially. Its dirty and gross and you never know what will fly into your mouth.

I prefer to be at the beach, mountains, etc inside a lovely light filled bedroom with 800 threadcount sheets, the fluffiest down comforter you can find, a good book, watching all that nature through a thick piece of glass. ....a big window.

Just my opinion.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, a nice bottle of red zinfandel, shiraz or a nice peppery merlot during the winter months.

Amen, sister.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:58 pm

Well, I only go camping if I have an air mattress, a solar shower, and a good reason not to go to Bermuda this year.

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:29 pm

If you tell me a solar shower is absorbing positive energy by osmosis I might puke.

I'm sure there is a better explanation.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:38 pm

Bermuda sounds like a better idea!

Nice hotel, beach, sun.....................

I think I would only go camping in a fully loaded RV, with air conditioning, stocked 'fridge, and king size bed inside.

Nah, I still like Bermuda and maid service and no dishes to wash.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:47 pm

koan wrote: If you tell me a solar shower is absorbing positive energy by osmosis I might puke.

I'm sure there is a better explanation.
koan you've never seen a solar shower? Or are you being funny?

The big heavy-duty black plastic bag with the hose and nozzle attached to one end? You fill it with water and let the sun heat the black bag, hang it from a tree, and voila, you've got a hot shower.

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:14 pm

I wish I was joking. I avoid any camping thing like the plague. I'm now advised.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:58 am

Betty Boop wrote: As a child I remember 'camping' in the back garden, the one night we actually stayed out there later than 10pm there was a huge thunderstorm, we made the backdoor ten seconds after the first flash of lightning! :wah:

So this was when you were about 17 right? :-3 ..........

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:01 am

Gosh, remember camping in the backyard and telling spooky stories until late at night?

Erinna1112 · Post by **Erinna1112** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:15 am

BabyRider wrote: Camping with the proper gear is a BLAST.

By proper gear I mean at the minimum, the following things:

Air mattress

Bug spray

a good knife

Comfortable shoes

Hiking boots

a good campsite

When I went camping in the Porcuine mountains in Michigans U.P., we had one of the most rustic sites there. Basically, a piece of the ground had been leveled out so your tent could be pitched with relative straightness.

We were about 10 yards from the river, where I washed my hair every day, and were surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of acres of woods with some rough trails cut in to tromp through. We had a cooler full of food to last a week, and enough firewood to cook and keep us warm at night. We saw "Lake of the Clouds" named so because it is such a still and mirror-like lake that it looks just like the sky when viewed from the lookout about 500 feet above it.

There was no one else at our site, although it could accomodate a total of 4 tents, so we had the place all to ourselves. We spread out with our lounge chairs, an overhead tarp to provide shade, beach blankets drying in the trees nearby, a good set of camping cookware, even a coffee percolator that you set right in the coals of the fire.

It was one of the best, most relaxing vacations I've ever had.
I can't believe I'm related - as closely related as it gets - to this person.

My idea of roughing it is no white gloves on the waiters when they bring room service to the hotel room. Domestic chocolate instead of imported on the pillow. No San Pellegrino in the mini-bar.

Ok, I'd like to see Lake of the Clouds. But I want a hotel room to go back to afterwards.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:20 am

Yeah, a plush hotel! With a jacuzzi!

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:13 pm

Erinna1112 wrote: My idea of roughing it is no white gloves on the waiters when they bring room service to the hotel room.

LOL! Good one.:wah: