Camping

This last weekend was my first time (ever) camping, and it was really fun. Part of it was because it was new, but most of it was because my lady is an experienced camper. We had everything we needed. Not just stuff, but processes about how to deal with the stuff. The trip was very organized; the kind of organization you'd expect if you paid some outdoors firm to take you camping if you had no idea what to do or what to bring. There was no rushing, no stress, and no computers. (c'mon, I need to get away from 'em sometimes) The weather said chance of rain, but it didn't even sprinkle until we had everything set up Friday, then a little bit over night and Saturday morning. We were perfectly dry the entire time. Here's what the campsite looked like when we got there, and then after we'd set up. The trees were neat. A lot of them were curvy and bumpy with moss and other plants growing on them. Here's one that looks like it has a tumor. It was like visiting an old neighborhood where every house looks different. This wasn't a bunch of straight power-pole-like trees. Although if you look to the left of the tumor you can see a power pole. It's only a short walk to the beach, and by the looks of this sign, if you have a really-really-really old car, you can't go down this particular path. This heron was eating well. He'd walk ever so slowly then dart his head in the water and swallow what he caught. He was fun to watch. This piece of wood sticking out of the ground looks like a little city in some Lord of the Rings type of movie. I can imagine little people walking around everywhere. The coolest thing at the beach was the millions of black sand dollars. Maybe there's another name for them, but that's what they looked like to me. Here's a close-up. And here's a broader shot...literally, millions of them.