Am I the only one that camps to relax?

I have a specific group of friends that I go camping with (still working on the wife and kids though). We have two trips a year, one in the Summer and one in the Winter where we throw down... Drink too much, and have events of stupid manly feats of strength and skill. Like a knife and ax throwing competition, a caber toss, and a Rescue Run. Car camping at it's best/worst! :D Our wives think we are nuts!

But with those same group of guys, we get out backpacking a couple of times a year as well. Different attitude, different approach... We go to get away. We go for some solitude. We go to experiment with survival and camping skills. We go to be enveloped by nature.

So, both types of camping are great. With a kid on the way, I am sure it's dissapointing that it isn't the perfect camping trip, but at least you are out there. Take the hike by yourself!! Show your friend a few new tricks you have learned. Think about your wife and impending family!! Day dream about the day your child is old enough for your best camping buddies to join you! :thumbup:
 
myright said:
I'm very lucky to have a wife that understands me and is a true friend to me, I couldn't imagine having it any other way.
Click to expand...

You got it. My wife and I are best friends too. Neither of us would ever try to control the other. Nor would we do anything thoughtlessly that we know might be hurtful. We both had bad first marriages, and one time down that path is more than enough.
 
I only enjoy camping with a few select people; my best friend and his new wife are alright. And my(now)ex-gf. She and I still get along great and she is the best hiking/camping companion there is. I like to take some adult beverage along when I am out in the woods, but not enough to get tanked on. Somethign about reclining by the fire with the girl you love looking up at the stars and sippin single malt and puffin a cigar that just makes all the bull$hit seem to disappear...
 
RescueRiley said:
but it's nice to kick back and enjoy the flavor of an irish whisky..I might toke a pipe as well (tobacco) but these are more meditative the recreative...
Click to expand...

Amen to that. Me and my dad go on 1-2 trips every year to distant places with very few people. We stay at state parks, but don't camp. But some of the best moments I have ever shared with my dad were on the back porch of our cabin(s) at Petit Jean state park in AR. Been there a few times and our nights always end up the same way. Passing a flask of Jameson and me with my pipe(tobacco) and him with his cigar.


But I agree, camping is for relaxing. Nothing like the sound of a crackling fire that holds the promise of a good stew for dinner and the wind making the tall pines creak. Add the sound of a waterfall or a river and I would be content enough to lay there forever. Other people usually ruin that peace for me. As much as I love my friends I am a bit of a hermit and prefer to be left alone.

I would like to state for the record that I am a youngin myself. 22 in august. And luckily I have already passed my party days(high school). While I do drink myself into a stupor about once every few weeks, I like to leave it at home. Unless its before bed time around the fire, then I will take a few nips. But no excessive drinking in the woods for me.
 
Quite a good response. Thanks for the honest feedback you all provide.

Here's a cool twist to this trip. My buddy called and said he was going to take off for a few hours on one day to go look at a boat that he is thinking of buying :)

I'm bringing my kayaks with me and will head out on the water by myself and chill. Once he splits I'll hit the hike on my own. It's only 4.5 miles and where I live there aren't very many hills so I'm sure the trail is pretty tame so I may go around twice.

This will be a good opportunity to try out my Razel and RC3 in the bush. Not to mention I haven't used my BK9 on ANYTHING in a very long time so I'm itchin' to chop something.
 
one of my best camping trips was driving 100kms down an old logging road, up a spur road, down an old mining road and cmaping out near some old mining machinery int he middle of nowhere. I made a little fire in a old bucket i found, and grilled chorizo. had that with dark russian rye bread, thick polish grainy mustard, couple slabs of cheddar, washed down with a beer or three, that had been chilling in a icy cold mountain stream. Topped the day off with a pipe full of roasted Virginia, latakia and perique tobacco.

good times1
 
good stuff..The wife and I are supposed to take the sproout..2 years old..Camping (ata a campground) this weekend...I got bronchitis however so we'll see how it goes..
 
Bob W said:
Agree 100%. Motels without walls...
Click to expand...

Some of us live in a state where campgrounds are almost the only option. Texas is 90+% private-owned. Granted, that other 10-ish% is larger than many other states in the country, but it doesn't leave as much as one would desire.
 
dougo83 said:
Some of us live in a state where campgrounds are almost the only option. Texas is 90+% private-owned. Granted, that other 10-ish% is larger than many other states in the country, but it doesn't leave as much as one would desire.
Click to expand...

Yup, where I live one is pretty much limited to state parks and forests to camp in. Space is limited.
 
RescueRiley said:
good stuff..The wife and I are supposed to take the sproout..2 years old..Camping (ata a campground) this weekend...I got bronchitis however so we'll see how it goes..
Click to expand...

John,
You are where I was earlier this year. Getting the kiddo out for a few car camping trips locally (mostly desert that time of year, March-April). She's been camping in a tent before, actually since she was about 18 months. All car/campground stuff. She's used to Daddy's crazy methods of making fire, and she's a good girl around fire and sharp things, like I taught her. Now she's taken an interest in fishing, and I'm about to get her a little tyke pole, and head to the lake in a few weeks. I know she's gonna love it. That's usually what our camping trips consist of: a hike of anywhere between 4-8 miles (she can only go about 1.5-2 miles of it right now, then I have to carry her in the backpack), followed by a meal either grilled on the fire, or on my camp stove (she loves mac n cheese), then some down time where we're usually exploring the woods or desert looking at plants and bugs and etc. When it starts getting dark, we return to the fire, hang out, and maybe start looking for stars and constellations if she isn't too tired by then. Then it's off to bed with her and Mommy (who usually just hangs out at the camp after hiking, she enjoys her time away from the kid when she can get it). Daddy stays up and has a few nips (never enough to actually get a buzz, it's more of a contemplative thing as some have mentioned), and a pipe or cigar (quit cigarettes 2 years ago, but still like a little smoke when camping). Then it's off to bed for me, since I'm usually pretty done in from the hiking done that day. What I don't do: loud music, ATV's or powered boats, dangerous activities (explosives, guns, etc), kegs, bongs, general horseplay, or getting smashed. I'm 38, with a 2 1/2 year old. I'm too old for that crap. But I don't see anything wrong with having a little scotch around the campfire. Getting drunk isn't on my itinerary. Sorry for the long post.
 
it is the reason that i camp alone.

i can do it all my way.when i want,how i want.

i started to look at others as baggage although nothing personal to them.

i still tip a few or more though,trust me.
 
raindog101 said:
John,
You are where I was earlier this year. Getting the kiddo out for a few car camping trips locally (mostly desert that time of year, March-April). She's been camping in a tent before, actually since she was about 18 months. All car/campground stuff. She's used to Daddy's crazy methods of making fire, and she's a good girl around fire and sharp things, like I taught her. Now she's taken an interest in fishing, and I'm about to get her a little tyke pole, and head to the lake in a few weeks. I know she's gonna love it. That's usually what our camping trips consist of: a hike of anywhere between 4-8 miles (she can only go about 1.5-2 miles of it right now, then I have to carry her in the backpack), followed by a meal either grilled on the fire, or on my camp stove (she loves mac n cheese), then some down time where we're usually exploring the woods or desert looking at plants and bugs and etc. When it starts getting dark, we return to the fire, hang out, and maybe start looking for stars and constellations if she isn't too tired by then. Then it's off to bed with her and Mommy (who usually just hangs out at the camp after hiking, she enjoys her time away from the kid when she can get it). Daddy stays up and has a few nips (never enough to actually get a buzz, it's more of a contemplative thing as some have mentioned), and a pipe or cigar (quit cigarettes 2 years ago, but still like a little smoke when camping). Then it's off to bed for me, since I'm usually pretty done in from the hiking done that day. What I don't do: loud music, ATV's or powered boats, dangerous activities (explosives, guns, etc), kegs, bongs, general horseplay, or getting smashed. I'm 38, with a 2 1/2 year old. I'm too old for that crap. But I don't see anything wrong with having a little scotch around the campfire. Getting drunk isn't on my itinerary. Sorry for the long post.
Click to expand...

It's nice to hear that you guys are getting your kids out camping at such an early age. My wife and I were talking last night about how long we may have to wait until we feel comfortable taking our child (due in 3 weeks) out in the woods. I know a lot will depend on the child, but it's good to hear that you're getting out there so early.
 
What I like about camping is getting involved in the processes of doing simple things like getting water, preparing food, arranging camp, etc. I find focusing on those things relaxing even though it's "work." I don't get hammered when camping, but there is usually something for fireside sipping. I usually go alone while motorcycle traveling, but this summer we are taking my 2 year old daughter car camping at some point. She and I "practiced" in the back yard with a tent and fire for a few hours, and it was a big hit!
 
A couple of times each year we will camp with groups consisting of family and friends. The best part of the day for me is sitting by the fire with a cup of coffee and a good book while the others are still sleeping. A cold beer on a hot day is a wonderful thing and I enjoy a sip while sitting around the fire. As far as getting old goes I'll always remember an old friend who would say " I hate getting old but it beats the only alternative"
 
Today's the day fellas. I've got to go get some new tires on the Jeep this morning then it's home to pack and off to the woods.

Good part is I get to bring all my favorite knives because I will be stopping at a local knife shop to get them all professionally sharpened.

I'll make sure to take plenty of pics.

See ya'll in a few days!
 
Its nice to know there are others who like to spend time in the woods for the sake of being in the woods.

I hate camping In NJ sometimes simply because you are often too close to the next camper, unless you are backpacking.

So many people I know Have to include booze on a camping trip it annoys me, then they come home with stories of injury and accident and wonder why.


At my rescue squad there are a few of us who like to camp together, A bunch of the younger guys keep trying to get us to plan a massive group trip, and keep talking about Cases of beer and wonder why I havent set it up yet :jerkit:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top