Roughing It

I camped.  I saw.  I conquered.

We go somewhere different every year.  This year we headed to Clear Lake State Park and stayed at the Kelsey Creek Campground, right on the lake.  We like to try to swim.  Although after six years of this now I'm realizing that there are very few spots within driving distance of the Bay Area that are conducive to swimming in late May.  But I haven't given up on finding that perfect spot.

This year was a bit different.  We temporarily (I hope) lost 2 of our usual camping cohort, and we picked up 3 new companions.  The dynamic was very different, and I must say, overall even more enjoyable than usual.  This is not to say that our 2 missing friends were not terribly missed, because they definitely were, or that I have any intention of inviting every single person back next year, because I definitely do not.  But each year teaches me something new about what it means to camp and something new about myself.

These are the lessons I learned this year:
Don't forget the pillows!
Luckily one of our friends had extras and we were able to borrow them, but not having a pillow when you're already sleeping on the ground is a nightmare.  I will not make this mistake again.  I swear it.
Don't drink beer.
Beer is just too damn filling, I drink it too damn fast, and I get a horrible hangover accompanied by a headache, which is not good for wanting to actually do anything but drink more the next day.  For some reason, I don't have this problem with liquor.
Do find a jogging trail.
This was the first time I ventured out on my own to do some jogging while camping and the trail was fabulous.  I found myself all alone in the middle of the state park jogging along at a brisk pace in the cool air surrounded by trees and awesome views.  I felt like I was in a tennis shoe commercial.  Very nice.
Bite your tongue.
This is actually a life-long trial of mine.  Anyone who knows me can testify to the fact that I have no verbal filter.  I have a very dependable tendency to just say whatever I'm thinking (drives Carlos crazy, the poor dear).  Combine this flaw-in-progress with some beer (see above lesson about beer) and a very young "macho" brat and camping trips, not to mention friendships, can quickly, easily, and efficiently be ruined.
Stick with what works.
There are some things that we have consistently done every year that work and continue to work and just  make for an all around great time:
We always set our tent up facing the fire pit, not too far away.  This way, if I'm not feeling well, or I am hiding from the rain, or I'm just too damn cold to stay outside, I can sit at the entrance of my tent, drink in hand, bundled up in blankets, and still visit with all the brave souls standing in the rain around the campfire.
We also always find a hiking trail that gives us an excuse to get off our butts and work up an appetite for all the great food that we bring.  This year's was fun and beautiful, but not too hard, so everyone enjoyed it.
We bring music!  This can lead to fun games, silly discussions, bizarre serenading, or just, you know, listening to good music.  Always a good thing.
Finally, we always stop on the way home for breakfast.  We have found some fabulous spots (this year was no exception) and we have found some horrible spots, but it's always nice to have one last moment together with the people that you have spent a weekend in nature with.  We have the chance to reminisce, to reflect, to laugh, and to lament as a group one final time before the breakup of a group that may never get together in this current incarnation again.

In the end, it was a good weekend overall, and the lesson I have learned that is most important, and that I will continue to try to learn, is to be flexible and keep learning lessons.