Camping 101.
I am pleased to start off by reporting that I camped on my own for the first time successfully. Granted I was not completely by myself, I had a little help from some friendly neighbors, but we will get to that in a bit. When I left Asheville Wednesday morning I remember having a weird feeling in my stomach, butterflies I guess. I was nervous about where I'd be sleeping that night. Usually I don't have a place, or in this case a campsite, booked until later in the day/night. I typically just show up to where I want to be and there's always a chain motel, hotel or a hostel somewhere calling my name. (To be fair, there also aren't always black bears just outside my door.) I decided, regardless of this feeling, I was going to push past it and I'd get over it. You ever think about something and then see signs everywhere about it? Like the universe knows exactly what you're thinking? Well, I quite literally saw those signs when I drove through Maggie Valley, NC., another small town on yet another winding road, on the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was a strip of Highway 19 made up of motels and hotels, and while only half were open, it was enough to make me laugh at how ridiculous I was being. Camping's not that hard and I like the outdoors, I could do it. Besides, I thought, there's always one of these dozen or so places to choose from if I decided to wuss out.
Finally the moment of truth. I arrived, paid, and pulled into campsite B34 at one of the only two campgrounds open this time of year in the park, Smokemont. The campsite is made up of a parking space large enough to fit an RV, a raised platform for tent pitching, a picnic bench and a fire pit. Firewood in hand and tent prepped, I started to get out everything I had set aside for camping. I would be right next to my car anyway so it's not like I had to go backpacking into the wilderness to set up shop, but I wanted to practice. I tried to put everything aside that I would need so I wouldn't have to go rummaging through my car more than once. That was the plan anyway. Fast forward. Camp is set up and I'm finally relaxed and marveling at how perfect my tent looks, just as I practiced it, when hunger sets in. In preparation for this trip, my brother bought me a palm size stove top that screws onto a small propane container. It's perfect for backpacking and camping and, because I am the luckiest person on the planet, it decided not to work. So on to Plan B, start an actual fire.
Now is when the friendly neighbors come in. Jan and Bob are the most lovely couple from Florida you'll ever meet and definitely know how to camp the right way. Their RV put Bertha to shame, let me tell you. Then again, this is not their first national park outing. Jan gave me some pointers on starting my fire and I was determined to ace it. Ten minutes later and still struggling, she walked over and showed me her secret, lighter fluid. Houston, we have a fire. Didn't I tell you I was the luckiest person on the planet? At least I was right, camping is not hard; if you're prepared.
My checklist of what I need to remember for next time:
1. Lighter fluid.
2. Lighter fluid.
3. Lighter fluid.
A few more pointers from Bob and some time later, I had a pretty steady fire going. I heated up my dinner of pre-made chicken, veggies, and rice, and even made a pot of tea afterwards that I casually drank with my feet up by the fire. Like a boss. ;)
When the sun went down at 6:30 all I had left to do was brush my teeth and get into my tent for the night. It's bear country so anything with any kind of smell has to be, in this case, locked in the trunk of my car, or in most cases hanging in a tree 100 ft. from the campsite where a bear can't get to it. I triple checked everything, trust me. The next three hours I spent laying in my tent trying to fall asleep while picturing a bear circling it planning its attack. Every time I heard a rustle outside I went on high alert. Needless to say, it took a while to fall asleep. Little helpful hint to anyone out there reading this that's thinking of camping in bear country - DO NOT watch BackCountry before you go. It's a movie about a couple who, you guessed it, go camping in the backcountry of some national park in bear country and of course they forget a map and get lost out there. *Spoiler alert* there's a bear and it does not end well. So I laid there until I finally fell asleep, hunting knife next to me and bear spray at the ready, like a crazy person.
After all of that eventfulness and finally a good night's sleep, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to even more camping experiences. Thank you again to Jan and Bob for saving the day and stocking me up on lighter fluid. Hopefully you're reading this laughing at how ridiculous I must sound and will keep up with my adventures.
Time for a hike. 'Til next time, folks.
- G.
The Photo:
My campsite at Smokemont Campground.
Great Smoky Mountains NP, NC.
1/25-26/17.
