Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Camp camp camp

We went camping at William O'Brien again this past weekend. The last time we went, it was just the immediate family. This time we went with another family. A guy I've known since high school, Eric, and his wife and children. Their kids and ours get along great and a good time was had by all. I first camped at this park with Eric when we were in high school. I couldn't even count the number of times I've been to this park. I just love this particular section of the St. Croix river valley and am drawn to return to it time and time again.

I had thought that this would close the books on my 2008 camping season, but I may be wrong. I've been wanting to get out for an S24O sometime this summer, but with all the other stuff going on it just wasn't meant to be. But I realized today that I've got a free weekend coming up, and the kids will be staying at Hotel Grandma/Grandpa. So I'm tentatively planning a quick solo overnight this weekend. I'm thinking about going to Afton State Park. They only have hike in spots, which is fine by me. I imagine I could get my bike to one of those spots without too much difficulty. But depending on weather and how I feel I might make it a car trip. Either way, I'll be packing only the essentials and doing the trip as ultralight as possible. Normally, I tend to be an "everything but the kitchen sink" type of camper, so this will be an interesting paradigm shift.

2 comments:

Bill Connell said...

The hike-in sites at Afton are up a big hill, so you'll be hike-a-biking it up for 1/4 mile or so. See if you can get the canoe site - that way you can ride down the hill right to the site.

I've been meaning to do one of these all year too, but so far no good. The weekends, they seem to dissolve before my eyes. When are you going?

Matt said...

If there's any backpacking gear you're missing, I might have it. Have a fun time...I've walked by those sites, but never stayed.