Camping in the Woods

During the summer vacations, my family would go camping. My parents owned property in Greer. Because we went every year, we made simple improvements every time we went camping. There was a natural spring on the property, so we could keep soda cool. Dad eventually built an outhouse. The outhouse was I think the best ‘improvement’. Dad found an old water heater. We dug a small fire pit and situated the water heater over the fire, so we could have hot water. We strung shower curtains around 3 trees that had grown in a triangle shape. we had a small wash tub at the base of the trees. We hung an old watering can over head with a rope at the spout. So we could take showers. We were often joined by some of our family. Uncle Jim and Aunt Betty would come with their motor home. My cousins, Pam and Debbie, and their families would camp with us. The property had electricity, so sometimes in the evenings, we would gather around the campfire and watch movies with the VCR and TV that Pam’s husband, David would bring. We would spend hours playing cards, going on nature walks, lying in a hammock in the shade, I have a lot of fun memories of camping. Now that I am an adult, I think back on those lazy summers in Greer. I realize that my Mom worked real hard to make those days so enjoyable. She cooked every meal over the campfire. She cleaned the outhouse every day. I don’t know how much fun she had. I think that is why I am so hesitant to go camping now. It is a lot of work for the grown ups.

One year we even had a bear in our camp. I remember waking up to Cindi's desperate whisper..."Dad, there's a bear outside!" She needed to go to the outhouse, but instead found we had an un-invited guest. She tried to talk Lydia into going with her... for protection...