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The Tao of Camping |
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I recently came upon an article on a website that sells camping gear and equipment. They have quite the extensive line of everything needed for camping, and a whole lot of stuff that's not needed. The article included checklists to make sure you have everything before you head out. Some of the items included on the checklist were: Batteries (Extra batteries for flashlights and emergency radios) |
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The above list immediately brought to mind (among other things) the statement that is becoming more and more popular: My idea of camping is spending the night in a Holiday Inn. Camping is supposed to be different than staying at home – or at a motel. The idea of 'camping out' is actually relatively new. 150 years ago the concept didn't really exist. People camped out all the time – whenever they wanted to cover distances that involved more than a day away from home, they spent the night (or nights) outside. They were not camping, though. They were simply spending the night. Camping should put you in touch with the natural world – not be a struggle to create a makeshift link to the fast-paced technologically oriented pressure cooker we all spend our 'regular' days in. Rule #1 – no generators! Some of us are in the wilds to appreciate the sounds, sights, and smells of nature. Not listen to the disruptive drone of a small displacement engine that is running so that someone can watch a TV. And then there's the smell of the fumes, the fact that the generator will scare away all the animals, and the terror of seeing extension cords running all over the campground. Many camping areas no longer even allow generators. |
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Rule #2 – if it takes you more than 20-minutes to setup or break camp, you have to much 'stuff' with you. Try camping with a tent, a sleeping bag, water, easy to carry, non-refrigerated food stuffs, a first aid kit, a small ice chest – and a cell phone. Leave the phone off unless there's an actual emergency. Checking to see if you have messages or trying to download last night's Late Show do not constitute 'emergencies.' Of course you can also take along some fun things like a camera, climbing gear, etc. But leave the six ice chests, bucket of batteries, dozen outdoor party lights, train case filled with bathroom items, and the four suitcases of miscellaneous clothing at home – where they belong. Rule #3 – respect the people and land around you. Try not to yell and scream and party loudly. Try to leave the area where you camp looking like nobody has ever been there. Do not destroy plants or harass wildlife. Camping areas should be quiet and clean – do your part, and others will follow suit. |
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Follow the above rules for a truly wondrous and very different experience in the wilds. It will take lots less time to prepare. You will have almost nothing to take along to unpack, secure at the camping area, and then re-pack to go home. You can spend all the time you save enjoying what you came to the outdoors for. And enjoying nature is a whole lot more fun than refilling the generator with gasoline, or loading all the ice chests into the car and heading out for $20 in fresh ice. Enjoy the outdoors the natural way – it is the Tao of camping… |
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