This morning I finished a novel, made coffee and joined Beth to setup for her online, morning yoga classes. We’re living in the woods, so a lot of bugs joined us, too.
One of the most delightful things about this campground are the chipmunks. They race to and fro and, I’m told, will stop to eat out of people’s hands once they become used to you. There are singing birds here, too, and somewhere off in the distance a hound dog howls a mournful cry.
Being outside is one of the best things about camping. The trees are much more numerous than the people and it is humbling in a pleasant way. Outside, one can remember that we are just another animal in the forest.
Let me be real, though. I’m not a glamper, but I’m no Daniel Boone either. I gave up sleeping on the ground in a tent a long time ago and have no desire to revisit those experiences. Instead, I am what most call “a car camper,” or “an RVer.”
Accordingly, the natural vistas around me are more like nature-light. We are never too far from wi-fi, an air conditioner, a laundry machine, a general store and (joy of joys) a pool. Okay, so maybe it’s a bit glampy!
Whatever it is, I like it. We put our bikes on the car a couple of days ago, for example, and enjoyed a ride on an old rail trail. Then we walked through town and bought organic salmon and high-end tuna fish at a health food store.
I think that’s why Beth refers to us as “hybrids.” We are artists, yes, but we aren’t living in a downtown loft making just enough money to buy paint for our next portraits. We enjoy vacations, but I shop for gently used clothes on eBay. We adopted our dog at the shelter, but made him homemade food as good as we eat every night.
I used to think I was weird to be neither this nor that. Now, I’m just happy being me.
