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