While we camped…

Covid hit our small rural community’s nursing home. I checked my messages before climbing into my sleeping bag and my son told me there were 24 new cases. My town has about 1000 people so that is significant. Today the number is in the 40’s and three people have died. We personally are back to shutdown.

This cloud descended this morning at home.

While we were still oblivious we enjoyed a kayak camping trip. We found a great island site, swam, parked, sat by the fire, and dined on freeze dried delights.

In preparation for camping this summer, I bought a new Coleman fold n go camp stove but I cannot recommend it. One of the ignitors failed (don’t tell them but I finally fixed it myself) and I am not getting anywhere with their warranty department. A month goes by before I get an email response. I received this today.

Joelyn at Coleman? Come on, this has to be made up. Who else works there? Roman? Herman? Roland? We’ll see next month.

Finding the perfect campsite

There’s an art to this and it’s not always easy. This would obviously not be a good spot.

Most would agree. Often the choice is more subtle. At Monument Creek we thought it would be nice to nestle under the trees near the stream. Maybe in the summer but not November. I took a walk and found our site was at least 10 degrees colder than one located higher. We became quite adept at picking up our tent, full of sleeping pads and bags, and moving it to the choice spot.

At some sites, we couldn’t drink the water but it was fine to bathe and rinse our clothes.

At Hermit’s creek we had to take the last site and it was not ideal. But we spent two nights there. When our neighbors left to hike out early one morning, we scuttled over to their still warm spot with our tent, which now also held our clothes and other assorted items. What a si(gh)t(e).

Camera made it

And so did I. Actually, I ditched the camera and only brought my iPhone into the Grand Canyon and it held up. So did my knees and hips.

We camped in remote, beautiful spots. The stars and Milky Way were incredible. We slept for 10-11 hours every night. I was usually zipped into my sleeping bag by 7:30 pm; it got cold after sunset. I think temperatures were in the low 40’s.

Here’s one of our campsites at Salt Creek. We bathed in the creek, but the National Park Service dissuades people from drinking it, even with purifiers, due to the high mineral and uranium content. We had to carry enough water for 2 days, 7 miles. Water is heavy! Tim carried more than his fair share so I could remain a happy camper.

We hiked down (and up) from the top. 3500 foot elevation change and 8 miles via the South Kaibab trail going down and up, over rock slides and huge steps, via the Hermit trail. In between we walked on a sort of level trail, the Tonto Trail. This was our second night in the Canyon.

Smoke and mirrors

It’s suddenly summer. We went from cool days with fog in the hollers

   
 To this

  
Lucky for me that the weather turned nice because I spent a few days in Pennsylvania camping, while I attended weaving classes with Sara Bixley and Tom Knisely at Red Stone Glen Fiber Arts Center. It was awesome. I learned so much in an Inkle Weaving and Chain Warping Class and really felt part of a weaving family. 

Here are the two inkle bands I sampled. I designed the purple one from scratch.  The pink one includes a twig from my campsite.

   

 After full days of weaving, I returned to my campsite, where I swam and walked in 90 degree temperature. I could get used to car camping. I thought I packed to excess until my neighbors arrived with tablecloths, tarps and various coolers. Where would you rather be?

Campsite 120

  
Or campsite 119?  I had espresso, popcorn and thought I was living large. 

   
 
I shipped this while I was there for a very special girl’s birthday. 

  
Now all my free time will be spent sailing and sewing a canvas “dodger” for our boat.