This was one of those summers that ended up being rather mundane. We all carry into our adulthood the idea that summer is a time of dropped schedules, impromptu ice cream and snow cone missions, cooking out, swimming in the creek (my childhood) swimming in the wide spot in the river in a spot called "the jenny hole" by my bride's family. Summer evenings with light until 9PM. And catching "lightin' bugs" after that. These summer memories are long and bring to mind the phrase "endless summer".
However, this year my bride had numerous school training sessions, both online and on campus. The normal cousin's camp never materialized. My work was both intense and stressful with little time to enjoy the moment. Grandkids had numerous camps and schedules just never seemed to sinc up.
But there was one event that can be fully accredited to the rites of summer.
I went camping with my son and my grandson. We managed to dodge the Noah-esque rains of early summer, and managed to find a weekend in the midst of the 100 degree stretch.
There was some purchasing of tent, lanterns (battery powered) fishing poles, throwing out old and non-working camping gear from service years ago. A general plan for menu. By the way, we got a pancake mix in a bottle, just add milk and shake. Other than a little lumpy it was pretty good. Of course anything cooked on the same griddle with the bacon is going to be good. I took a cot. The days of sleeping on the ground are over for this older body. We took my '92 Chevy pickup and just piled all the equipment in the back, lashed it down, and headed out.
We arrived well after dark and spent some time wandering around amongst the RVs, trailers, until we found a site. Rummaging around in the back of the truck we pulled out the tent and a lantern. The box holding the tent said it could be up in 60 seconds. What they mean is if you read the directions, it might be up in a reasonable length of time. After my son made me stop and read the directions by lantern light, we had the tent up, the cot set up with Isaac's bedroll stationed between us. The tent boasted it was a "6 man" tent, but those men would have to be a lot more comfortable with sleeping close than I am. It was fine for 2-1/2.
During this hour or so of set up I realized that there was absolutely no breeze under those trees. And it was close to, if not at, 100. By the time everything was set up I was completely dripping with sweat. When I finally settled on the cot I could feel the sweat gather up and run from under my hair into and around my ears and off my neck. I could remember only one other time I had camped in the old days with the Wrays, Frys, Jollys at Lake Coleman when I was that hot while trying to sleep. With no breeze sleep was a little long in coming.
But lights out created some memories that I will cherish. The tent had a mesh roof that we could see through. From our angle it looked like the trees were bending over and peering into our tent.
Me: "Isaac, it looks like the trees are looking into our tent!"
Isaac: "Grandaddy, trees don't have eyes"
Me: I had no response.
Then the reading of "The Hobbit", bedtime prayers, and the excited chatter of a little boy in the midst of two grown men trying to find a way to sleep. Sleep finally arrived about the time the temps dropped into the 80s.
The next morning was filled with fishing (they weren't biting, apparently they took the summer off) swimming in the lake (with those hot and cold streaks and the squishy mud) and lunch at the swimming area. We headed back to the tent to get some rest. When Ben and Isaac went in the tent to change from their swim trunks it was obvious that it was far to hot to rest in there. So I suggested a quick run into town and hit DQ while we decide what to do. I think the Blizzard helped us decide that one night was enough. So even with a disappointed camper we had a great time and have vowed to make a return to the camping when the weather is cooler.
This is the huge take from the weekend. The best memories are created while wasting time together. I think we get so focused on schedules, and production, and meaningful thoughts and words that we forget that the memories that last are the ones we didn't plan or anticipate. But I wouldn't trade this moment for anything. It was too hot, the fish weren't biting, sand and dirt infiltrated everything, and I loved every minute. I remembered that we don't have to have a reason or an agenda for spending time together.
Godspeed to those who have found the value in wasting time with those they love.
Don
