I got done with work early so hurried home and spent the next 4 hours packing and taking a shower so that Tom and I could drive out to the site of Freedom Fest during the early extra camping days for members. When we arrived though, no one was there. Two tents were set up but the place was completely empty. We set up our campsite using one of the newly constructed tent sites. Jack has put quite a lot of work into leveling and clearing three tent spaces per camping site (the rules of setting up a campground include the number of people and tents per site and how many sites are acceptable, even how far each set of tent sites can be from the next one.) After we set up Tom left. He will be back Friday evening in time for the opening ritual. The "gate" opened at noon today so I expected someone to be here. SweetWood members can come early and camp several extra days for no extra fee which is just one of the perks of membership.
Right now the trees are dripping on the tent. It rained earlier but cleared up by the time we set up. It isn't really silent but there isn't the hum of computer fans, refrigerator motor, or other background machine noises. In the distance I can hear traffic sounds, and a plane overhead. Hardly silent, but I am very aware that I am alone. This is something very rare for me as Tom works out of our home. We also home schooled the children so they were always home as well. Of course I am alone on the drive in to school but that somehow doesn't feel alone, not with all the other cars on the road.
Copyright © 2000 Kyril Oakwind