Summer Camping

High summer seems to finally be here.  After waiting longer than usual, we have at last reached the lazy-hazy-crazy-dayz of summer. 

When I was a child my dad had a nice boat and so every weekend we were on a lake somewhere.  We traveled far and wide to enjoy every boating experience we could, once even going as far as Glacier National Park. 

I remember the hot sun, cooling breezes and the never ending nuisance of lots of bugs; also the smell of fresh air skimming across crisp clean mountain water; (sometimes not so pleasant if rotting fish dotted the shore).

As children, my sisters and I searched for shells, rocks, twisted driftwood and anything interesting we could find.  When our bodies had saturated the sun and wind and we felt as if we were part of the forest, we eventually rested beside the cool shade of pine trees or inside our tent if the bugs were too bothersome.  When we became dusty from hiking or exploring, we would jump into the nearest water hole to refresh and then explore the natural inhabitants – water beetles and sometimes, leaches.

My dad fished a lot and mom kept our camp clean and also cooked delicious meals, usually centered on the fish my dad caught.  We had no TV, radio, mp3, phones, PC games of any kind.  The only sounds to reach our ears were the chirping birds, buzzing bugs and the wind singing through the branches of the leaf covered trees. Occasionally we heard chipmunks chatter, woodpeckers rattle while they hammered the trees and the distant call of Eagles souring high above. Sometimes we heard the bellow of moose and once, in a remote mountain lake near Butte, Montana, we watched black bears walk the shoreline across the lake from our camp, making growling sounds as they moved.

And so, in the silence of the woods, we talked to each other…a lot!  We talked about everything…what we thought about…our various opinions of everything; sometimes we sang songs together.  We read books and played silly games with flashlights.  And we laughed a lot about everything until we wore ourselves out. 

After that, I knew what my sisters liked and disliked – I really knew them.  I knew their expressions and thoughts about everything.  And when we went home (so glad to take a bath and wash our hair!) I felt a strong tie with my family that was forever binding. We didn’t just exist together as relatives – we shared the task to help each other for as long as we lived because we knew how much we needed each other; a friend in the dark, a voice in the silence, a pal to navigate through the twisted paths of life.

The summer camping trips renewed us, reunited us, and brought us back together again.

©2012 Linda Gatewood

Linda’s thoughts during a power outage:

     Sometimes we forget how black the night sky really is without the usual man made brilliant lights forever reflecting heavenward. 

     A flash of lightning during a fierce storm can easily take out the power and when dark clouds obscure the stars and moonlight, the inky blackness can overwhelm, especially if the matches usually left above the fireplace on the mantle are not to be found. And the flashlight that the grandkids played with was never returned to its designated place. 

     Not only is it dark but also quiet. The steady hum of electrical appliances is silenced and only the occasional sound of the storm can be heard (a possibly terrifying experience).

     At these times I comfort myself by remembering that humans existed without power for thousands of years and darkness at night was common for them.  (Of course, I’m sure they could see in the dark much better than I; primitive night vision or some such phenomenon.)

     With my cell phone in hand lighting my way, I finally find matches and a small candle, and become my kind of human once again, watching the comforting little flame spring to life.  And after a few hours when the power is restored and various illuminations throughout my house begin to glow - the refrigerator is humming while the water heater gently hisses - it feels almost like a miracle!  My gratitude knows no bounds!

     One thing is certain: in our advanced world: we have succeeded in keeping the darkness at bay, but only increased our fear of the unknown should we ever have to face it – without the light!

©2012 Linda Gatewood

A writers' beginning...

I have a grandson who is only 5 years old, but he loves to tell stories.  His stories are long, long and longer!  And he loves an audience who will listen intently.  It is my opinion that he is a future writer!  Is this how writers begin?  I know that in my case, I've always wanted to express feelings and opinions by writing.  And stories flow through my mind constantly, so it is natural to put the two together and write a story. That is the beginning of a wonderful endeavor that will bring gratitude into your heart forever.

©2012 Linda Gatewood