Perpetual Ruminations

Camping Part Two

Our third camping trip was to a campground we have never visited even though it's only a couple hours away. This was our annual camping trip with my wife's cousin and his wife who we will call Dick and Jane.

It was at Glacial Lakes State Park, and it was over the weekend so it was pretty full, but it was quiet. We had adjoining sites with Dick and Jane and enjoyed some warm weather for this camping trip, so no furnace required. Everything went nicely this time around, and what rain we did get was at night. No bad storms but a bit of lightning, thunder, and some light rain made for terrific sleeping.

Since we have the two dogs, it's difficult for my wife and I to kayak at the same time, so she went out with Dick and Jane while I took the dogs for nice hike. Later that afternoon I went out kayaking with Dick and did a bit of fishing. I caught a nice large mouth bass, I'd guess about four or five pounds.

The next day we all four went hiking with the dogs. We took the trail that went around the lake, about two and a half miles of hills, prairie, and trees. Surprisingly, the bugs weren't very bad and it was an enjoyable hike. We stopped by the swimming area and let the dogs enjoy the water before returning back to camp. We spent the evenings around the fire, cooked over the fire, and dined together. The only down side to this camping outing was I forgot my phone at home so I didn't get any pictures.

It was an enjoyable camping trip, but it's not the same as when just my wife and I go camping. I suppose being introverted makes it different as well as when we go with Dick and Jane, they tend to plan out the days. It's always our option to join in or do our own thing, but since we are camping together, we try and join in.

The latest camping adventure was lose to home and just the two of us, well and the dogs. I was particularly looking forward to this camp out, but things started going wonky the day before we headed out. My wife was called in to work leaving me to try and get everything packed and organized. Of course, she usually does this so a few things were forgotten.

We started out on Sunday, got set up, and enjoyed a nice afternoon. But our only neighbors showed up by dinnertime and the noise started. I couldn't believe how loud they were. After dinner, we sat out by the fire, but their kids were riding bike and would stop right beside us, ring their annoying bike bells, get the dogs worked up, and then ride back, only to repeat this over and over. I finally raised my voice a little and got the point across to quit stopping right there and to lay off the damn bell!

Monday they packed up and left, making a lot of noise in the process. My wife got called into work again, so she left shortly after noon. She worked till after midnight, so she just returned home after her shift and came out to the campsite on Tuesday. I was anticipating a very quiet evening with just the two dogs, planning on being lazy around the fire. But, it was very warm our, very humid, and the bugs were terrible. Also, another couple moved into the campsite next to ours.

It was an older couple, so I thought at first it would be quiet and peaceful once they got set up. But, they had a couple of little dogs that barked anytime anyone drove past, walked by, and whenever they seen me or the dogs. They also liked to walk past our campsite whenever they needed water (they hauled it in a one gallon watering can so they needed water quite often, despite having a holding tank on their camper), used the vault toilet, or walked their dogs. I should also add, there was a nice trail that sent from their site to the water and toilet that was a shorter distance. Oh, and they didn't walk on the road, they would walk in the grass right next to our mobile tent!

On Tuesday, a church group arrived and set up a half dozen tents, but they were pretty quiet most of the afternoon. Or at least anytime we were around. But by eight that night they decided to play soccer and the yelling and noise lasted until after ten.

We had thought that camping during the week would mean less people around, but it was very busy the entire time we camped. The lake was bustling with boats, people were hanging around the lakes fishing and swimming. It was hot and humid, and we tried a few times to take the dogs to the lake, but it seemed like wherever we went, someone would show up and spoil the plan. It was like the majority of the people there were rude, intrusive, and went out of their way to encroach upon us.

It wasn't a bad camping experience, but it wasn't as peaceful and enjoyable as I had hoped. I was looking forward to some serious quiet and down time after the busy spring we've had. I suppose I'm also a bit over sensitive towards people since it's also been a spring filled with people, interruptions, and  demands for my time. Being introverted, I need alone time to refresh, recharge, and rejuvenate myself, and this spring it just hasn't been possible.

Next month, we are going to spend four days on a road trip, possibly heading across the painted desert of North Dakota and over to Devil's Tower. It's undecided yet on our destination and if we are going to bring the mobile tent or not.