Camping!

Back from camping at Gualala river. I had a great time, though honestly I decided, at about 6pm on Saturday, that I'd be having a lot more fun if I'd taken Jim with me. Or Ed. Or my family. It was about that time, you see, that I decided I was bored. I'd been reading all night Friday, and kayaking most of the day Saturday, and I was ready for some conversation. But no... it was just me and my book.

Good things:

I love kayaks. At least on rivers, with no rapids. Fun. I want to do it again. With other folks. It would have been a lot more fun with a buddy to explore the river with me. Within about half an hour I had the basics down; after an hour or so I was paddling like I'd been doing it for years. In that first half hour I almost capsized about five times, but I never actually fell out. After that I had the hang of it and didn't have any more scares. The water was crystal clear, so I could see all the way to the bottom, at one point that was about fifteen feet down, I'd guess. And the water was ICE FREAKING COLD. So no, I didn't swim, though I was forced to wade a few times in order to get through the shallows.

Quiet weekend; no drama with the park people. They were great as always. Yelp had me worried, but it was for nothing. And, of course, part of the reason I love the park: showers and real toilets. I can rough it, but I'm getting too old to really enjoy it like I used to. And I was never fond of the whole "dig a hole to poop in and bury it" nonsense, though I suppose nobody really is.

Wonderful weather--not a cloud in the sky, and very warm. When I was at camp, not a lot of direct sun got to me, so it was very shady and pretty cool. Out on the river, if I was in the shadow of the trees near the shore, it was nice and cool, but in the sun it was quite warm. I had a lot of fun just moving between those states whenever I got too cold or too warm.

Our new tent was easy-peasy to put up and take down--less than fifteen minutes each. I like it!

Bad Things:

I meant to take both sleeping bags and use them together, but I ended up with only one. That was not comfortable with my *ahem* large size.

The stupid Air Mattress has a leak, which I'd forgotten. So both mornings I woke up on the ground, cold and stiff. Bleah.

I didn't really think food through; I had enough, but no variety. Boring.

I forgot to put a bag of chips in the car or tent when I went to sleep last night. At 3am I woke up to the sound of crunching chips, and when I looked I saw a raccoon had torn the bag open and was eating them happily. I scared him off and threw them away; I didn't think salt and vinegar potato chips were good for him. He was cute, though.

All in all: Good trip, but I'm glad I'm home.