We'd set up our campsite as fast as horse trying to win the Kentucky derby. I can hear the fresh, cool lake calling my name. But the only bad thing is I can swim to save my life, but not for fun or enjoyment. Basically I swim like a bird trying to fly that has its wings clipped. Days on end I would seat watching carelessly at the glimmering water. I learned how to catch fish and clean their raw, scaly bodies. I will never forget the sharp, rancid scent. But as the sun sets, the lake would slowly grow cold. The sky filled with bright, twinkling stars. It almost looked as if someone spilled a container of glitter in the sky. The campfire would blaze, warming the cool summer air. I could feel the heat touching my face and the campfire smoke almost perfumed your clothes.
We would cook hot dogs hamburgers, fish, corn, smores; you name it. my wife’s favorite part was cooking marshmallows. She held it over the fire hoping for it not to catch on fire. But most of the time she would pull it out with it drenched in flames, dripping sticky marshmallow and burnt to a crisp. Yet, there was always something about campfire-cooked food that I loved.
The next day begins bright and early. The sounds of the birds chirping, and mixing with the warm glow of the sun shining through my tent, act as my alarm clock for the day. As I exit the tent, and I inhale a deep breath of the crisp fresh air. It feels cool in my lungs. Being in the outdoors camping is one of the greatest feelings there is. There’s nothing better than the smell of a campground. You have all kinds of different food cooking over a camp fire.
Camping is enjoyable for many different reasons. To me there are two parts of camping- relaxing and recreation. Both are equal in their own importance. On the relaxing side you have the scenery of everything, the sight of all the wildlife, and the sound of the nighttime bugs. All of this is relaxing, but there’s much more. Sitting around a warm campfire is relaxing. Going camping can be for two days or for two weeks. It could be across country or 20 miles away. For me camping is relaxing, fun, entertaining, and enjoyable. Waking up in the morning with slimy, mildewed tents was probably the only downfall in the experience.
At the end of the week we waved good-bye to the campgrounds. Keeping the memories of the dazzling lake, crisp earth, twinkling stars, and sweet smells of campfire food. Having a ripping feeling of sadness, I'd leave with a smile on my face, knowing I'd be back next year.
