Fall Camping Day 1

---

In the morning we woke up around 8am and started packing the dogs were already excited and they did not know what was happening. All they knew was we are packing for something and it looks fun. We finally had everything packed and ready to go around 1130. We picked up the last few things at Wal-Mart some McDonalds breakfast. I also figured out how to load maps to my GPS so we hand turn by turn directions. I love technology. We arrived at our site around 0130. The drive into the park was great. Just imagine the classic all American winding drive. We are already planning a trip back just to enjoy the drive and fall colors. We were a little disappointed that the sites were close together and the entire camp site was packed but it was our camp site. We unpacked quickly and set up the tent made our place a home for the weekend. Making fire was our next undertaking. A few weeks ago I purchased a magnesium and flint fire starter. I was influenced by watching weeks of bear grills and the survivorman marathon. Devin gathered tinder and sticks while I shaved off my little pile of magnesium. In theory the magnesium easily lights with a spark from the flint than you blow and are able to light some very dry tinder on fire and eventually build up to lighting sticks and progressively larger pieces of wood. My spark and lighting was perfect.(see picture) My blowing and the tinder were not so good. I think the key is the tinder has to be especially dry. Our grass had the slightest bit of moisture you could almost feel. We tried again this time with a piece of paper towel under the magnesium than a piece of paper under it. Each time we were close and even saw a little flame. Making fire is harder than it looks. I now respect the caveman who discovered fire. I also respect the caveman who made fire. So after maybe 45 minutes of trying to make fire we took the easy way. Good old lighter fluid. We did still manage to use the flint and no match was needed. Even with lighter fluid it took us another 30 minutes to get a good fire going and ready to cook on. Dinner that night was great. Devin bought steaks rubbed them with salt, pepper and marinated in yuengling for 24 hours. Along with roasted corn and the bottle of cab franc we had bought 5 months earlier it was the perfect camping dinner. A great night ended with Devin, Indie, Duncan and me all fat and happy sleeping in our tent.

---

Photos

Camp2
you can't camp with out a hammock

Fire
the plan to make fire

Fire2
Fire FInally

Indie
The good old boy

diner
Diner by lamp light

diner
Yummy!!!