Calf Moose, Calf Moose:

Camping. A little early spring outing, to some higher elevations. Phx is seeing some summer-like conditions, and friends decided a father/daughter campout was in order. 

After the standard kerfluffle of gathering camping gear, we meet and head up the road. A couple options are floated, which, of course are different than those earlier mentioned in emails. Mingus Mtn becomes the destination.

We find a site, and set up camp. Nearly falling into a “parental overplanning” trap, we almost forced a hike in the woods. Better judgement said to let the girls continue building a lean-to shelter, and they had great fun doing so.

Meanwhile, the men folk drink coffee and converse.

Once the coffee is consumed, some other activities are put in place. For instance, trying to start a fire by rubbing sticks together. This is a very difficult task.

Dinner and the main event need prepped.  Of particular interest are the pair of dutch ovens, one for berry cobbler, the other for bean stew.  

While the timer is running, and the Dads are in charge, the main playground becomes the campfire. The girls think this is just a fantastical idea - play in the fire?!! How many Moms would agree? I think 0 out of 10. The laughing and giggling say this activity doesn’t need a survey to tell anyone it is fun.

As the sun sets, the stew is consumed and berry cobbler is enjoyed. At this point in time, something about the campfire and the circle of chairs starts the stories and songs. Hence, the title of the post. One other game is played before bed, a memory game. I’m going on a trip and taking....

Here’s our list: armadillo, bear, cat, dingo, elephant, fruit fly, goat, hyena, iguana, jackalope, kale, little lemur, Me!, N - me!, octopus, plantain, quilt, raisins, sugar glider, trousers, umbrella, Victrola, wagon, xylophone, yellow yogurt, zedonk.

And with that, several go to bed. M and I decide to stay up a little longer, the moon almost full. As always, the campfire dies down, the pyrolysis almost complete. Embers glowing, no flames, and the air temperature dropping. M is a little chilled, so we decide to take a brisk walk before heading to the tent. You see, my Dad was the scoutmaster when I was growing up. We did a fair amount of winter camping, and it always ended in the same way. Somebody would inevitably say the words....”I’m cold”. That’s all it would take, and we as a group were off on a run. So, I guess I was influenced as well. Get the metabolism going before turning into the sleeping bag and tent.

We left the fly off, since there was no forecast of rain and not a cloud in sight. That left a bright moon, and around 3 am, the moon set and the stars were brilliant. I know, since a bathroom run was necessary about that time.

Sunday dawned, and with the absense of the fly, the morning and brightness came early.

We got up, started up the stove and made some coffee. That would encourage Kev out of the tent. Breakfast consisted of what else? Bacon and eggs.

Good times -