We had some unseasonably warm weather this past weekend, and I felt like it would be a good opportunity to get out of the house and do some camping.
As I was driving away, I did feel a slight pang of loss. I was leaving the SigO behind since his daughter was coming over for the weekend, which exempts him from outdoor excursions. I even considered turning back and telling him we'd wait until the next good weekend and go together. But first, let me go to Jiffy Lube and get my oil changed.
Oh, wait - huge line there - never mind. OK, let me go get some gas...
Oh man, huge line there - OK, I gotta get outta here, I think to myself - get some solitude.
I get to the highway and, you guessed it - it was a parking lot.
So, an 1.5hrs on back roads and I was finally there. Ah! Peace and Quiet out in the woods of Massanutten Mountain. Ah! Listen to those birds, the crickets, the....
masses of screaming kids, screeching teenagers and thumping subwoofers.
There is no escaping the crowds of the mid-atlantic coastal area, obviously. I mean, come on, it's the first weekend in March - you're all supposed to be at home getting your lawns ready for spring, not camping out here with me!
Still, I wasn't about to head home, so I set about putting the campsite together. This would be the first time I'd used my new tent - a gift from the SigO - and I was completely unprepared for how massive it really was. These things don't look that big in the store, surrounded by even bigger tents. At 6', I was still barely tall enough to get the rain canvas over the top of the tent.
In case it doesn't really look all that big from the outside, here's the inside.
That's 1/2 of the inside - and that's a queen size inflatable mattress on the ground - yes, with plenty of room to spare all around it. I could have set up headquarters in that thing and led battle drills or something.
Anyroad, after getting the campsite all set up - time to go for a hike. In my new boots. Stupid, I know, but how else do you break them in, right? Vasque boots and my feet DO NOT get along. My toes were bleeding after less than 5 miles. My toes, for crying out loud. And my legs were screaming at me too. Why? you may ask. Well, I'll tell you. You try walking without putting any pressure on your feet at all. It's no easy trick, I can assure you and it makes for some sore muscles at the end of the day. Since it's still early in the year, the scenery was pretty bleak, but I did think the way the light fell on these mossy rocks was pretty incredible.
So, the camp thing was only OK. The highlight was my new popcorn popper - for camping. Very fun popping corn over a fire.
Other recent events: The SigO celebrated his half century mark. I use the term "celebrate" very loosely. He did get some good Steelers toys, so he did have some happy moments.
And finally, the big news. I got a message from Ravelry asking permission to use one of my photos on the Sideways Striped Pullover pattern page.
Notice the copyright under the photo! Woo Hoo!! I'm famous.
