I got up and packed up most of the inside of my tent then went to visit Ronn and Raven. Ronn made breakfast and offered me French toast with maypole syrup. It was quite a good breakfast for camping but Ronn seems to make an effort to create a very nice environment. And I must admit to enjoying his efforts although I felt a bit like I was taking advantage of him since I was just there at his campsite at breakfast time. However, he was so gracious and hospitable that I didn't feel guilty at all. It was Iris' birthday and this was her birthday breakfast. I really should have been packing up tents and things but felt far too comfortable and relaxed there and so lazed the morning away in pleasant company.
Eventually I got moving and went to check with Phoenix but she wasn't all that anxious to go soon either. So we ended up deciding to go to the closing meeting and then break camp and load the car right afterwards. I am glad that we were able to stay for the final watersharing.
I was getting antsy about getting on the road though as we took down tents. First I had to go find someone with the hand strength to pull out the stakes. I had been concerned about them staying when I heard there might be thunderstorms so had hammered them in with "intention" that they hold fast. Now that I wanted them to come lose I wasn't able to pull them. Luckily Michael was able to pull them out for me and I finished dropping the tent. Then I got crabby though because I had camped in an area littered with little black cherry like berries and of course the bottom of the tent was covered with juice and squashed berries. I really hate getting my hands yucky so basically folded the tent up with the least amount of touching. I talked to Phoenix and she had a garbage bag so she took the yucky tent while I held the clean bag (thank you, Phoenix!) and we stuffed it into the bag rather than trying to roll it up and put it in the tent bag.
Finally we got on the road and Phoenix took the first shift. We talked some but I drifted off to sleep while she drove for longer than I had meant to happen. When I woke I suggested that we change drivers and drove the rest of the way home. It was dark when we got to her house and it was thundering and lightening but not raining. I was glad to make it home without having to drive through the rain as I was tired and don't have good night vision adaptation.
Tom was glad to see me and we spent time catching up.
Copyright © 2001 Kyril Oakwind