MEEKER | Camping: Back to the Basics by Kaye Sullivan
One of the key reasons I have always loved camping is that it takes you back to the basics of life. Required is tolerance for no quick hot water, instant coffee, comfy bed and no dishwasher or disposal. Plus you’re usually residing within 30-50 feet of other folks’ camp site.
Sweat equity is required every meal: Boil water for tea and coffee, remain patient with longer cook times for anything, hand wash and hand dry every used item, stow all food from bears or insects, carefully make a campfire (if permitted) then enjoy those sticky s’mores.
Our son commented that “amazing how your cleanliness standards go downhill the longer you camp.” Yup – transition to every other day showers, so-so cleaned pans, dirty fingernails, and questionable attire. The great part is, after a while, these things don’t really matter.
You’re only lucky if you get a shower, shave, or hair wash. Even with our tiny trailer and random hookups, water is scarce thus showers are brief in/out minimal hygiene events.
It’s a good thing to work for your dinner, ignore television and social media, forget expectations from the home front, and just dwell in each moment without the interference of non-essential stuff.
Camping usually puts you closer to nature and a shorter distance from the sights you want to see. You’re not in some motel right by the highway listening to all the traffic.
We were lucky to camp in places that were so quiet, we couldn’t hear anyone or anything. At one “dispersed” (meaning random but legal National Forest location) it was so peaceful, I wondered if Big Foot would come and get us and would anyone even know?
No, actually, I trust the great outdoors and quiet more than residing around too many people. I will always believe in the goodness of most people, do not worry about folks stealing our camp gear, and do not fear a lunatic with a gun. Most campers just want peace and quiet, like me.
During our travel adventures, people were for the most part friendly, helpful, and respectful. Especially our campground hosts and the local grocery were hospitable in every way.
On the way home, while trying to make the drive go faster on our 1,200 drive back from the Oregon coast, my husband and I discussed, “What did you miss?” After a month on the road, our answers were minimal.
Yes, luxuries like long really hot showers, dishwasher, and instant web access have been missed along with garden, art studio, piano, and friends. We looked forward to every-day life aspects of stability and predictability. And yes, more space! After a month of 20-foot trailer accommodations, teeny refrig, and tight storage, we were ready for our own kitchen, hot showers, comfy chairs, and personal backyard.
To you tent campers and backpackers, I fully realize you accept Mother Nature even more and endure hardships we didn’t face in our travel trailer. My hat is off to all of you.
Camping is humbling and tests our ability to live alongside the simple and peaceful life. We can do it and will return again and again.
By KAYE SULLIVAN – Special to the Herald Times
