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"It just wouldn't be a picnic without the ants." ~Author Unknown

Isn't it the truth? I mean, to me it's not REALLY camping unless there's a little adversity. Meaning, if I'm camping it has to be different than being at home. But is this 'roughing it'?
Now, to most people I know, when they're talking about going camping, they're picturing getting into their 'house on wheels': a camper or RV. And we're talking stand-up showers, flush toilets, beds, microwaves, stoves, tv's, you name it. To me, this is not camping. This is just 'relocating'.

But someone like me, who likes to tent-camp, these people see me as roughing it. They really do! And I don't feel that's the case at all. I don't bathe in a stream, I generally find campgrounds that have showers. I don't 'do my business' outside (weeeeeelll..sometimes, for fun!) I use the public facilities, either flush or pit toilets. And I don't sleep out in the open, under the stars. Or even on just a sleeping bag. I sleep in a five-person tent on either an air-mattress or cot.
So you see, by most standards, the way I camp isn't rough at all. But to my friends on wheels, this is indeed going too far. They can't fathom why a person would willingly CHOOSE to sleep anywhere near the ground, without heat or A/C. Or why one would prefer to gaze at the stars in the night sky to popping in a favorite DVD.
But on the other hand, I can't seem to see myself sleeping out in the open, where the snakes, spiders, and rain can get at me. Nor can I picture hunting down honey from a beehive to sweeten my food. Yes, I like a campfire, but that doesn't mean I'm going to hunker down and wrestle with flint or two sticks or whatever it is that it takes to build a fire without matches. But that doesn't mean I haven't any respect for those who do!
So you see, in my opinion, the idea of 'roughing it' is at the best, subjective. It all depends on who you are and what you can and cannot handle. Maybe the more important question is "Am I enjoying myself?" Am I being challenged, am I getting away from the routine, the mundane, and letting myself be exposed to nature and all it's wonder? So if we're 'roughing it' or not, perhaps we should remember that camping is meant to be an ADVENTURE:

adventure: (n) an exciting or remarkable experience.

But again, remember we're talking subjective! For the RV adventurer, a remarkable experience may just be going on an evening hike instead of watching a movie inside. And for the one on the other side of the spectrum, something exciting and different might be trying a GPS system instead of a compass. (For learning and mastering something new is always exciting!)

As for me, well, maybe, just maaaaybeee, I could try sleeping under the stars one night. I mean, how bad could it be? Maybe a little bug might decide to snuggle up to me? Or two. But what difference does it make compared to the magic of closing my eyes to a blanket of stars, feeling the gentle caress of a breeze on my cheek? I mean, you can always brush the bugs off your blanket, but how often can you bring the moon, stars, and lyrical breeze into your bedroom? Now to me, that's camping!

Learn more about this author, Kim K.
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