New Found Glory

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I have done something many have done before me.
I have experienced something I once believed to be foolish and dirty.
I have lived in a new way.
I have been camping!


Yes, I was a camping virgin before this past weekend, and let me say, it sure felt good! I had been once before with my family years ago, but it wasn't real camping... more like playing the game " just the tip." Yeah, it doesn't really count, but you still have to mention it.

Many people have asked that after living in beautiful NM how had I not been camping before- that it was bizarre. My response: "Ugh, bugs, duh!" I"m not a cutesy gal with painted nails and worried about getting my hair wet, but nature and I haven't always gotten along. I approached the decision that I was grown up enough to be keen with mother earth and got my behind to Ute lake and did some camping! Yes, there were tents and sleeping bags and lanterns, oh my! There were 30 packs of beer, and hot dogs, and jet skies galore. There were friends and sunblock, and sunburns, too! Unfortunately, there were no s'mores...thanks a lot fire ban.

And you bet I didn't even shower. Yes friends, I was a dirty stinky camper with crazy hippie mandles (the Jesus Stomper kind, very REI), and loved every minute if it. I sort of prefer peeing in bushes and behind trees; very rustic. I could have gone without the trillion other campers who all seemed to have young offspring on Saturday, but after a beer or 8, it didn't matter.

Because of my new found affection towards the wilderness, The Boyfriend and I have decided to take a detour on our road trip to VEGAS and conquer The Grand Canyon. (Mandles will be necessary). We may swing on to Laughlin post sight seeing and do some pre gambling before we hit Sin City...assuming we both don't have 3rd degree burns from the wondrous earth's crack! I tried combining camping and Grand Canyon and suggested we throw the kibosh on a hotel and just pitch the tent (and by we I do mean I will watch Man set it up), and then I realized drinking on The Colorado River surrounded by millions of tiny flashing neon lights would be much more fun than sleeping shore side by lantern light. I think that this may be more cammperriffic than I am prepared for.

Conclusion: Camping is fun when surrounded by friends, lake, food, and leisure activities such as drinking and throwing water balloons. Camping at National Parks is way out of my comfort zone and may result in ugly sunburns and crying.

I'll post a hot picture of the Mandles soon. (Of which I was very apprehensive about purchasing for reasons of shallowness and being too vein to wear them- I caved)

Hasta Luego