Coming around again and we can't wait

[The Miner '49er]

I always loved camping. Back in '54 (that's 19, not 18) when I was a newly minted Bobcat Cub Scout we would be allowed to spend one overnight at a couple BSA camporees each year. Usually it rained, but I didn't care, I was camping in a real tent just like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. After Cubs came Boy Scouts. Tenderfoot to Eagle then in numerous leadership roles from Den Leader to Scoutmaster to District Commissioner over a 30 year span. No matter the role, it always included lots of four-season camping, especially when I was Scoutmaster of a troop in Knoxville, TN. Along the way I was lucky enough to marry a terrific young lady who among many talents is an excellent cook. While dating, I learned that she took a camping and outing course in college and that she loved camping every bit as much as I. Fifty years ago we took our son, who was five at that time, on his first camping trip. We used my parents gear, a canvas tent that smelled bad and was so heavy it came with a circus elephant to use for set-up, and a couple sleeping bags that had the aroma of mildew. No matter, our son got hooked on camping and Scouting too. To shorten this tale, over the years we went through two rounds of tents. Next came a used pop-up camper, then a new one, then a small 14' travel trailer. In recent years, to both of us, the trailer became more work than fun. As we became creakier and crankier we decided to cease camping, so last year we turned over to our son the camper and the van that was the tow vehicle. The problem is I have developed a case of camperitus. My wife confessed to the same ailment. The only cure is to go camping. I'm writing this while looking across the room to what was delivered today, a tent, and two cots. Tomorrow the screen house is to arrive. Looks like this will be the Rx to cure camperitis. We live twelve miles from my gun club which has camping spots with electricity and a clubhouse with water and toilets. Two fishing lakes, shooting ranges, a creek for gold panning, all for free for members. I'm feeling better already! Almost forgot to mention, my wife was the first woman Scouter in Great Smoky Mountain council to earn Cub Leader Trainer Woodbadge beads. If you're a Scouter you will know what that means. Here's a pic of our tent. [ Invalid Attachment ]