For the first time in several years it looks like the extended camping trip is a go. Leaving tommorow, comming back on monday. It’s not all that extended, but with most peoples schedules it’s hard to get more than a day or two coordinated, but this time most of the gang is up for 4 nights. And it’s at one of my favorite fishing-hiking spots too. It’s also all nice and green, so fires will light up the sky(for about 20 feet, outside of that the zillions of stars will be happily twinkling overhead).
So what are peoples favorite campfire trout recipies? Usually I just season with cayenne and lemon pepper and fry in butter, or poach in beer. Anybody have a special recipe that doesn’t require much in the way of stuff? Not that it makes much of a difference but it will be brown and rainbows that I will be catching in droves. Does anybody eat brookies? In Colorado mountains they only grow like 9 inches long so nobody I know bothers, but do people bother?
I think my two favorite feelings on earth are; after the camp is set up, everybody around the fire, a good beer, and friends playing music; and that first shower after you come home from a 4 day camping trip.
[Happy happy dance]
I like camping too. I try to get away every three months or so. Camping in Australia is probably a little different to camping in the US – particularly in summer when fires are an absolute no-no – but now that’s a little colder, I’m looking forward to a winter expedition.
In the past few summers, I’ve gone on a couple “sail camps”. My mates and I load the boats (we sail) and head out into the ocean. Some summer days the wind is dead even out on the Indian Ocean, but it’s fun just to drift along, drink beer and swim in the warm water. Living on a boat for more than a day isn’t too comfortable, so we stop every evening on land – hopping along the coast – and camp the night on the beach. Everyone gets a little dirty and salty-- no showers, only the ocean – but that just part of the experience.
In winter, we go down to the south-west region of my state. It’s about the only time of the year when the forest is green and the rivers run. In the past, we’ve taken canoes and kayaks and spent the days making our way downriver (having cars in support, so we can return to camp in the evening). It’s a bit of a novelty to camp in the cold, but the worst it ever gets is a few degrees (Celsius) below zero. Probably nothing like the cold in other places.
We try and go camping at least once a month for the weekend, and more often in summer, but sometimes that doesn’t pan out. Actually eating the fish you’ve caught that day, cooked on your campfire is divine. Chuck a few potatoes wrapped in foil into the embers and take them out an hour later. Squirt some condensed milk into the potato and enjoy.
This weekend a friend is having their engagement party, which is camping on their bush property by the stream. I’m looking forwards to it, as we usually camp just as a couple, so it will be a change to have a large group of people with us.
My favourite part of camping:
the quiet. The absolute complete quiet, occasionally broken by wind in the trees or animal noises. So relaxing
time spent (sometimes hours) driving from our house to the bushland. Mr Goo and I talk and talk and talk. It’s nice to get away from everything else and just share thoughts together.
