7/6/21
So it turns out heat, humidity, bugs, especially biting bugs and ticks, make it impossible to enjoy life outside. Camping on the East Coast is hideous, as compared to camping on the West Coast.
The rain. The puddles in the kitchen tent. The clammy claustrophobic ponchos. The restriction to life inside a screen tent.
The lack of sun leading to no solar collecting leading to now power leading to Mike struggling to work.
The reduction of life to drudgery - meals became more simple as each day passed. Washing dishes involved fetching water, heating water, disposing of water. The dishes were often still greasy after being cleaned. Constant monitoring of ice, fetching ice, throwing away food that has gone bad, worrying about food floating around in questionable icy water, eating it anyway.
Eventually I my back broke out in itching welts due to humidity and lack of showers. I was starting to experience heat related symptoms, particularly lethargy. Taking a shower was a major effort, which exacerbated skin conditions and general discomfort. When I did shower, by the time I got back to camp I was already sweating my clothes into dampness.
And that is just the superficial elements that were problematic.
The best thing about camping is that I appreciate greatly the things I used to take for granted - electricity on demand, hot and cold water on demand, a private shower with no mosquitos and GREAT water pressure, a large easily accessible refrigerator and FREEZER, and most of all, AIR CONDITIONING.
Of course life in Baltimore is not without its problems. Javy was attacked by two pit bulls the day after we moved into our apartment. I will report on that soon. Check out my Facebook page for updates.
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