Rafting

Kay and I leave tonight for our trip. I cannot believe how much gear it takes to camp for two nights.

When I got home from work last night I went into the garage and started rooting around for my camping gear. I have two sets of gear; the light equipment that I use if I have to carry it on a hike, and the bulky gear that is heavier, but generally larger and more comfortable. Since we aren't planning on hiking I can use the bigger gear. I haven't used this stuff in two years, so it took me a while to find it. Once I did I was amazed at how much crap I had. I tossed everything down from the rafters and then spread it out on the lawn in my back yard.

This is what I deemed "essential":

- one "zero degree" sleeping bag
- 8'x10' tent
- Aero mattress
- two Mexican woven blankets
- two pillows
- one hatchet
- large rolling cooler
- two travel chairs
- waterproof tarp
- large backpack filled with all manner of gear, including: knife, 2 lighters, headlamp, 2 flashlights, two sets extra batteries, leatherman tool, compass, 3 emergency Snickers bars, 100% DEET bug spray, whistle, two water-proof stuff sacs, and one deck of playing cards.

In addition to all this shit, I also have an "emergency" bag in my Jeep that has jumper cables, a 30' tow strap, tie-down straps, 100' of 1/2" nylon rope, one gallon of water, a mag light, a wool hat, sweatshirt, and leather work gloves. I used to keep a 9mm pistol hidden in a spot no one would ever find, but I removed that once I moved to the city. I may take one along for the trip, though.

About 70% of these items fall into the "you never know" category. Each time I go away on an excursion like this I am missing some piece of equipment that I vow never to leave home without again.

Gear splayed out in my back yard, I chuckled. Did I really need all this? Will it all fit in the truck? No, I don't think so. I ended up removing the backseat of my Jeep (Sorry, LL Cool J).

I have a duffel bag with some clothes, but if Kay is anything like the rest of the women on Earth, she will have at least one huge and one medium suitcase as well.

We will be camping at the rafting company's "base camp". This consists of a covered pavilion for eating, a large barn for the rafts, an office, and two large restrooms on about 15 acres. Despite all these amenities, we will still be deep in the woods/mountains of WV. There is a gas station and a tiny bar about 1 mile from the property, but these are the only things signaling civilization for about 30 miles. So, it seems fairly desolate. The reason I say this is because Kay is sure to "hear" something in the middle of the night. Also, Kay must pee 5 times a night. At home this is not a big deal, but when you have to walk 100 yards through the woods in the dark to get to the bathrooms, it could be an interesting evening. I can already imagine Kay nudging me at 3am, "Um, I have to go to the bathroom". Since this is still the early stage of the relationship I will probably escort her all 5 times. However, if things last for a few more months this treatment will end.

Yes, it's going to be interesting.