Confessions Around A Campfire

As you probably know, I spend my time off during the summer at a campground in the Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Most weekends and vacation time you will find me there. Camping season is about to end. October 31st is the final day.

I've been at this campground for almost ten years, and have made a lot of friends. People who are a part of the camping world are the friendliest, most helpful people you will ever meet. If you are having issues with your camper, someone or many someones will come to help you out or give you advice on how to solve the problem.

Many campers at my campground have a golf cart, and there are even a couple of people who can even help you with any issues that may arise. That comes in handy for me since I know practically nothing about how a golf cart works, and because mine was manufactured over 30 years ago, it always needs some sort of fix.

But the most satisfying thing about spending time at the campground, are the weekend get togethers. For the most part, campfire get togethers are a come one, come all kind of deal. There's nothing quite like sitting around a roaring campfire with drink in hand (beer for me), occasional food like popcorn popped over the fire, topped off with great conversation and a lot of laughter.

We pick on each other, all in fun, and as the evening wears on, the fun ramps up and at times, a bit raunchy. Last weekend, someone suggested we should start a YouTube channel and record the antics that go on during these campfire outings. I swear  a lot of people would watch. Although I might guess it would probably be banned since our campfire gatherings tend to be 'R' rated. Those people are corrupting my morals, if you can believe that.

I'd explain in detail about our campfire conversations, but it probably wouldn't be fit for print here. What's talked about at the campfire, stays at the campfire.

I can tell you that some of the topics included alcohol, healing powers, dysfunctional families, death and ashes, things each of us have gotten into trouble for, where to go to the bathroom when your camper is closed up, gossip about other people (you will be gossiped about if you are not at the campfire), food, gross jokes, and the list goes on and on. Not exactly subjects of any itelligence, but who cares.

This past weekend, among those many conversations, we were lamenting about the fact that camping season is about to end. How will each of us cope during the next six months, cooped up inside, waiting for the next season to begin. Some who are retired, will travel south and west where it's warm, and escape the wrath of winter in the Northeast.

All in all, it's one of the best things I've been a part of. Campers are a family that love the rural outdoors and spending time with people who are just looking to enjoy life outside and leave the stress of real life behind, if only just for weekend. May 1st, 2019 is already circled on every camper's calendar.  The countdown has begun.