Kilted Camping

[Panache]

While others members of the Nor Cal Rabble were off at the Livermore Highland Games the Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess and I took the kids for our first family camping trip at Big Basin State Park. We encountered swarms of mosquitos, dirt, 98 degree heat, maurading raccoons and other rustic "charms" of the outdoors and had a great time. I attribute my survival to my kilts and the generous application of vodka tonics (no gin available as we were 'roughing it")

I brought my SWK Hunting Mcleod for the cool of the evenings and my Alan H. made camo X Kilt for the heat of the day. I paired both with my SWK Nightstalker sporran and belts made of ballistic nylon. They proved to be very comfortable gear for camping.

Here are a few pictures:

Making breakfast



On the trail:



The F-H.C.A.G. roasting marshmallows:



At camp:




Things I learned from camping:

If you bring your binoculars and birdspotting book on the trail you won't see any birds.

If you don't bring your binoculars and birdspotting book on the trail you will.

Raccoons don't wait until you are actually done with your meal to start scavenging

Don't use the same amount of coffee to brew one cup that you normally use to brew one pot. You will dissolve the lining of your stomach (though you will be really alert )

Sausages and hot dogs cooked and eaten out in the woods taste better

Buying camping gear is not nearly as important as remembering to actually bring it along

A crumpled piece of newspaper saturated with about a tablespoon's worth of cooking oil and tossed into the fire will create enough smoke to keep the mosquitios at bay for about 20 minutes

A large vodka tonic drunk quickly will almost get rid of the screaming heebie-jeebies you get when a wolf spider crawls up your thigh under your kilt...

...almost!


Panache "Roughing it":

[way2fractious]

Yup... what fun! All the earmarks of a highly successful foray into the wilds! (I love toasted marshmallows.)

In a few years, kilted backpacking. Then some bicycle touring/camping. It only gets better.

w2f

[Galician]

Ah, yes, the wandering wolf spider. How that brings back memories of life in California, wait, that WAS life in California..that and the monster black widows in one's bed.

[Raphael]

Nice Pictures!!

I am going Camping this weekend and a kilt will be worn as well.

[7 miles]

Enjoyed that thanks.

[starbkjrus]

Looks like a fun time Jamie.

One thing though -- Vodka in your coffee mug fools no one.

[A Hay]

Looks like you all had fun Jamie.

Your comment on mosquitoes brought to mind an outdoor event last year. My first time on a hike in a kilt, walking up to a spring in deep woods, and being enveloped by mosquitos. (I'm a mosquito magnet, they never bite my wife).

Lesson learned, Deep Woods Off is your friend, apply liberally to lower limbs, often.

Regards,
Tom

[davedove]

(no gin available as we were 'roughing it")

Gadzooks man!!! How did you ever survive?

Next you'll be telling us that you had no porters and had to carry your own gear.

[JRB]

Awesome pics, Jamie. I love camping. Around these parts alcohol is verboten in state parks. Too bad. I'll bet a vodka tonic is the perfect accompaniment to a roaring fire (as long as you keep a safe distance away from the flames. )

[Cynthia]

Wonderful! I really enjoyed these, thanks so much for sharing them with us. It looks like you all had a great time!