I was listening to the radio the other day, and something that was in the discussion made me think of our family camping trips. I have very fond memories of the times we traveled, because our large family pretty well always camped wherever we went.

I remember going up to the campgrounds up past Frazier Park, up in the sequoia’s. I know I was still pretty young the time we had our lunch up on top of the big redwood stump. (Family of 11 holding a picnic on a tree stump should give an idea of the size of these amazing trees.) I remember silly little things like fishing using those marshmallow “circus peanuts” as bait, thinking it was amazing that fish would bite on those things, because I frequently ate as much of the bait as the fish did.

Then there are memories of the longer trips across the country for things like family reunions and such. Did we have a little box trailer for our camping gear on longer trips? I have some vague memory of a trailer, but I know it wasn’t a camping trailer, it seems like it was just a utility trailer.

Dad has an intriguing ability to pack enough gear, food, bedding, clothes, etc., for our family into some very small places. I have always marveled at his ability to utilize every small space and stack things in, in such a way that they were stable, and we always seemed to have enough to make the trip, without having to sit balanced on piles. Remember the trip to Connecticut for family reunion? I know, I was only 4, but it is one of my most vivid memories from childhood.

I remember the long ride with our cousins from Charles and Colleen’s family (14, kids and 2 adults in a ford station wagon from CA to Conn.). We camped every night. We sang songs and played games in the car to entertain ourselves. I love the stories of how other drivers often slowed down to count our car-full. I remember hot chocolate and scrambled eggs on some cold mornings, and bowls of cereal on other days. Some days we had campfires, others I think we cooked on a gas stove? I remember the pond at the big house we were visiting, and David stepping on a snake while running to use the little boat. I know on that trip I was no help, but I am sure I was awed by Dad’s ability and patience every morning and every night, as he unloaded all the food and gear, then placed it all carefully back in the next morning.

Over the years, I have learned so much from Dad and Mom about taking life’s simpler measures, which can also be life’s simple pleasures. I have not been camping with my own kids in far too long, because we don’t travel like we used to. I am going to fix that, since we have some beautiful campgrounds within an hour drive. Arkansas is really a beautiful state!

One thing that I learned from watching Dad pack is that planning makes the difference. We didn’t cart along many extras, but we always had sufficient gear and supplies to make the trip enjoyable. Dad and Mom planned food, snacks, cooking gear, etc., and they always managed to find places for them, or the plan was to buy certain things while traveling, so they didn’t require space. Clothing and bedding were planned based on the weather, with “minor” provisions for weather changes. We didn’t pack parka’s even though some of the mountains can get pretty cold. Bedding was appropriate for the expected conditions, with some extra blankets added, just in case. But we never froze!

Our camping gear was not fancy, but it was kept in good shape, and was always treated with care. I know we frequently had some minor fishing gear along, and some games and other pastime activities that didn’t require a lot of space. Maybe my memories are blended through years of camping with my “growing-up” family and my “I’m-the-Dad-family”, but we have been careful to teach our kids that they can enjoy the simple things in life.

Things like watching the sun rise over a beautiful mountain lake while baiting a hook, rather than sitting face down in a video game that is small enough to travel. Things like telling ghost stories around a campfire, rather than tuning the radio or TV. The humor of a pair of chipmunks (NOT Alvin and friends), real chipmunks chattering at each other as if they were going to duke it out, while racing around everything in sight. Enjoying a swim either in a lake or a campground’s pool. Followed by a warm campfire, s’mores, and star-gazing.

Even some of my Scout camp-outs in winter, learning how to build an igloo or a snow “cave”, and then actually sleeping in it. Dealing with the needs of sub-zero temperatures, and marveling at the divinity of a big bowl of hearty beef stew to chase off the cold. The gear needed was not hugely different, but if planned well, there was no need to carry in a big gas heater, or to eat different food, just more of some of the heartier stuff.

I think there are some lessons that everyone could learn from a lifetime of “roughing it”. .......to be continued

Thankful!

Thanksgiving! What a great time of year! I really have always enjoyed this Holiday! I was reading Kathy's blog about being thankful, and had some thoughts to add, and then I will probably just post more of the everyday, mundane stuff that rules our lives.

I remember growing up in Bakersfield, how many people there always seemed to be at our house for Thanksgiving. do you guys remember how many tables and chairs we had to borrow from the Institute of Religion at BC? Mom, I have learned too late in life to appreciate you properly for the amount of work and love that went into organizing those amazing events.

I may be off, but it always seemed to me like our family, plus at least 3-4 others, and they were close friends, sometimes even our own family, but mostly friends from church. One tradition I remember most is how we would go around the table, and each would say at least one thing for which they were thankful that year. These large gatherings impressed in me the importance of family and friends, and I am thankful for both. To my family, I love you, and miss you all the time. I am happy where we are, I love living in Arkansas, but I do wish we were closer so that we could all get together more often.

To friends, both here and wherever you may be at this time, we appreciate and love you. It is friends and family that make life truly joyful, and I am thankful to say that I have had many great friends, and have some really great friends now. Those large gatherings are something I look back on with fondness.

I have since experienced the smaller versions, with just our immediate, local family. We always (10 years and counting) eat with Bob and Phyllis. Usually, any of Bob's siblings that are here join us, but this year, it is down to Aunt Robbie, and she has "migrated" north for the winter. She got sick several weeks ago, and I think it kind of scared her, so she made arrangements with her oldest daughter to come stay in their basement apartment in Michigan, just across from the lake by that name.

We had two Moms that were sick on Thanksgiving day, and 2 deer to deal with, so we celebrated on Friday. Yes, Ian got his deer. Ben has struggled more, because he has had a harder time holding out. The cooler weather has kind of got his asthma flared up, if he spends a lot of time outside, and his IBD left-over issues make it very hard for him to sit completely still and quiet for very long. Even when he is quiet, his innards are not!

But Ian got a deer, and the same day Herman, or someone in his family called about taking another. So we spent Thursday skinning and dressing two deer. I am thankful that we have family and friends who like to hunt but not eat. We enjoy venison, and are grateful for the addition to our freezer.

I am thankful for a good job. I love teaching German at Conway High School. I have had great students, and I currently have great students! Not all of them are perfect, but they all add a lot to each day. I can say that no two days are alike, and no two years, either. I enjoy this enough, that even if money started falling from the sky, I think I would drift back to teaching shortly. I wish it paid better ( what teacher doesn't), but if money were no issue, I would probably take some time off to play with family, and then I would find myself teaching. I'm thankful I have a job that I enjoy.

I am thankful for Michelle, because she puts up with me, and is the love of my life.
For my kids, because they are amazing!
For my family, for your examples, prayers and love.
For church friends, and family that are helping to support Justin in his mission.
I am also thankful for:
beautiful sunrises, which I get to see nearly every morning
electricity, because I get home after dark
gas heat, because I know what it takes to stay warm without it
fireplaces, for when the power goes out, and wood is the only heat source
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
healthy chickens, because it is no fun dealing with sickly birds
a free country where I can voice my opinions without going to jail
tolerant people who allow me to worship God as I see fit, and only expect the same respect
a place like this where I can ramble, and some of you find entertainment in that:)

For my friends of all faiths, Have a great Holiday season. Don't forget to keep Christ in Christmas!