Camping Vacations

     The scene was as incongruous as Shaquille O’Neal in a wedding dress. Individually both are perfectly fine. Together there appears to be something wrong.
     We were walking through a campground not long ago and were amazed about the changes in what is called "roughing it." Values and definitions have changed over the years. At the height of our camping experiences, some thirty years ago, we would borrow a tent and drive toward the beach. We were armed with such luxuries as a propane stove and lantern. We had a sleeping bag for each person and mosquito repellent. An ice chest held most of the food. That was about it.
     On our recent stroll, we discovered that life may have changed in the camping department. What it means to be primitive has changed
     First, on our recent tour we did not see a tent except for one or two for the kids to play in during the day. Replacing the tent is more than a tent trailer. There were motor homes, long trailers or fifth wheels. The majority had bump outs to increase their square footage to that of a middle class home.
     Second, each one was self-contained, which means no staggering to the outhouse in the middle of the night with flashlight in hand. There nothing like the sense of adventure of cutting across a campground in the middle of the night, in your shorts, with a need to use the toilet. It also means that a generator groaned at each site providing energy for the refrigerators, stoves, and audio-visual equipment.
     Third, at a large percentage of campsites there were televisions going. One group was watching football, and another cartoons for the kids. On top or anchored nearby were satellite dishes to bring in the signals. One camper, however, had not succumbed. He only had an antenna on a twelve foot mast.
     This seemed to be the modern way to "get away from it all." A cell phone could be heard in the distance. Rush Limbaugh waxed over a radio. 
      In pondering this, my companions and I talked about how we have moved so many things that were luxuries into our category of necessities. There seem to be new things that we cannot do without even when camping.
      Not long ago I was talking to someone and mentioned that we need a new television set. He began to tell me which plasma TV was the best and why. He explained that the three thousand dollar set with surround sound was really worth it. Inside, I was attempting to reconcile this with my choice of a 20 inch flat screen that lists for $129. You do not need a screen that is four feet wide to watch Home and Garden Television. Although, I probably could use one that big when I watch the surgeries on Lifetime, I suspect my family would not.
      But, when you rough it, do you need even a 20 inch television? How about a book?
      What is it that we really need as a minimum? If need be, for fun or necessity, what could we get along without?
      When my daughters were preteens, they could hike into the back country as far as their hairdryer cords allowed. My wife, the truly adventurous of the bunch, can tolerate everything except, maybe, going without a good cup of coffee in the morning. I am not Lady Macbeth, but I like to be clean. So lack of a shower facility is a draw back.
      At the campground I saw very little "roughing it". I suppose that is not what these folks want. They would like to get away from the ordinary, hectic world without separating themselves from convenience.  It might be helpful to your own self-understanding to think about what you cannot do without. It tells you a good deal about yourself. You will reflect on what you value and what you can leave behind. You may understand victims of Katrina better.
     Rounding the bend of the trail through the campground, over head we heard the call of the herons while the teen who was fishing listened contently to his I-pod.