Come in out of the bugs and the rain
Slowly but surely, our simple camping style is eroding. Tonight we bought a kitchen shelter. Little more to say, is there?
I’ve been a “come rain, come shine” kind of camper for pretty much a lifetime. Steak will not float until the rainfall rate exceeds the cut and swallow speed. A propane stove will heat water, especially rain water. Wind can always be placed “at your back”. Mosquitoes will find their way inside the best tent money can buy, so why settle for being trapped in a closed space? This kitchen shelter thing is alien.
I did consider replacing my Nalgene drinking bottle with a trendy stainless steel flask this evening, but all of the twist-on covers seemed to have a frustration factor that would convince me just to tough it out and wait for rainfall (inevitable) should I get thirsty. Maybe if I tour a few more camping supply stores; I can withstand the temptation to buy all that other cool gear. Really, I can.
One of my co-workers retired today. I’ve been openly suggesting that a few more years around the office wouldn’t be that bad, but the draw of a more relaxed lifestyle outweighed my arguments. No doubt when my turn comes (a few years from now) I’ll understand the reasons why staying beyond the planned date of departure just doesn’t fly.
I need to find out where to dispose of an old lawnmower. I’ve tried “putting it to the curb on collection day”. I’ve tried “leaving it by the curb for someone else to adopt”. Now I’m ready to put an ad on the local version of Craig’s List. That’s free, right?
