Spent this weekend camping in the desert with Joyce. The previous two weekends we camped in the mountains where the nighttime temperatures dropped in the 30’s F. So instead of wearing layers of clothing and down coats, we were able to sit outside at night in shorts and T-shirts.
Wow, has time flown by! It has been over a month since the last post, other than my condiments rant a couple days ago. Things have been busy. Three weeks spent all over Pennsylvania, some hiking, my 40th Class reunion at the USAFA, some other stuff to share later, and a new TV.
Buying a new TV was not on my short list of things to do. But apparently it had to be done.
Okay, it is a pet peeve of mine.
Yesterday I was reading a review of a wood stove on a well known backpacking blog and I notice about 6 inches of leaves and brush have been cleared from around the base of the stove.
Only problem is, the flames from the stove extend a few inches above the pot, which is sitting on top of a wood burning inferno of a stove. The entire assembly height is at least twice the width of the cleared area. Knock the stove over and you have a forest fire.
A common theme of many of my posts and articles is the desire for solitude in wild places. This doesn’t necessarily make me anti-social; just a preference to enjoy the peace and quiet that the wilderness can provide without other people to muck things up.
For those who are tired of crowds in campsites or on the trail, finding your quiet place isn’t that difficult. But don’t look here in PopUpBackpacker for directions to my favorite secret places.
One thing I really enjoy about a tent trailer is the open feeling when all the curtains are pulled backed and the windows are opened. You have a 360 degree view, with netting to keep insects out. Even in hot weather, the shaded interior is much cooler than outside, there is plenty of ventilation.
Tent trailers are a little different to set up than a travel trailer, 5th wheel, or a motor home.
It is surprising how many people do not know how to properly set up their tent trailer, in spite of the fact the Owner’s Manual provides comprehensive instructions.
Our desert is warming up. Every day is now into triple digits and this weekend called for temperatures close to 110F, so it is time to focus our camping from the desert to mountains. Our first mountain camping trip of the season provided three nights of cool mountain air and rich starry nights.
All my life I have been a voracious reader. Unfortunately there has been little fiction or non-fiction written since 1957 worth reading. So I spend most of my reading time catching up with the classics I have not read, or re-reading the best of the best.
For some reason I can’t explain, my reading seems to be theme-based. That is, I read about specific subjects or read specific authors without interruption. Currently I am re-reading most of John Muir’s works. A couple years ago my theme was the writings of our founding fathers and those great minds that influenced them. Last year it was mostly Jack London and then Victor Hugo.
Does your spouse or significant other not want to go camping (or backpacking) often enough? Maybe you need to add some romance to your outdoor activities.
