Camping : Then And now.

11:30 PM, Friday Night
"Man did you see *&%^$* tonight?"

"Yeah She was pretty hot out on the dance floor"

My mind wonders into a place of it's own, "yeah..."

"Hey, we gonna hit Old 32?"

"Nah, man the cops always show up right after it starts getting good."

"It's only 11:30 what you wanna do?"

"Lets get the hell out of the valley!"

"Sounds good, my mom just went shopping so we can load up at the house."

Roughing it on a 24 mile hike. Still happy as heck!

Hard to believe that many of my weekend started like that when I was younger. A tank of gas, some canned goods and what ever we could throw into the cooler was all it took to go camping. Half the time a tent wasn't even a priority. We would decided East or West and by 12:30 we were on the road. One of my best friends at the time and I spent a lot of time camping as long as we could get away from chores. It was just that easy, sometimes we would take his sister, one of our girlfriends, or one of our other friends along, but one thing was for sure we were going CAMPING!!!

It is funny to think of how easy we could load up for a couple of days and how little it really took for us to survive. Cans of chili, a bag of potatoes, soups, chips, salsa, soda and beer if we could manage it. Throw in some eggs and some steaks and we ate like kings I tell ya. We camped in 100 degree weather, thunder storms, cold weather storms, you name it, and we had a blast!

My Brother Glamping it up.

Weekend outings with the family at the lake, hunting, fishing or what ever you want to call it and yeah, we spent a lot of time outdoors. I suppose there are many forms of camping from car camping in a designated campground to roughing it with a backpack, and yes, even the new term Glamping, can be considered camping to many. Whats Glamping you ask? Well I would say that Glamping is taking the kitchen sink, the couch and a shower. Glamping could be considered RVing or anytime you "Camp" with so many un needed accessories that it takes a trailer to haul it all. When your cook stove costs more than $300, Your Glamping!

Sierra on her first camping trip. She got sick around midnight 

Camping next to us in the Lost Coast

Add caption

These days camping has gotten more complicated. Even when you try to go lite, it can get complicated. Family camping is not only fun and exciting and I would not trade one moment of the times I have spent with Desiree and Sierra camping. The trouble is that you have to pack everything and the kitchen sink, and there has to be a plan. I really think that that word should be added to the 4 letter do not say list.

I am glad that my wife is up for the moment for the most part but that does not keep the kitchen sink out of the truck. As Floridians we have not been as lucky to get out like we were in Cali but we still try ot go on hikes and see new things as much as possible. Camping is not as easy here as we are used to but we have big PLANS for the coming months when Sierra has a break. Some obstacles out here are the heat, the mosquito's, and the summer thunder storms. Nothing says eerie like a thunderstorm while laying in a tent held up with Aluminum poles. All in all though we look forward to being able to get out finally and enjoy some of Florida's amazing outdoor life. One thing I have learned while I have been out here is that timing is key and that 4 letter word is essential.

Anyways, I have been blessed to share the places I have enjoyed as a kid as well as new places and adventures with my family and I look forward to many more. Here are some photos of different camping and outings that I have enjoyed over the years.