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Dr. P-J's Blog

Camping - In My Rear View Window

7/6/2021

8 Comments

 

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.

Picture
8 Comments
Diane Charles
7/8/2021 01:45:30 am

Enjoyed your postings. I knew you weren't going to camp forever. I suspected it was forced on you. At least you got some much needed dental work. I have been on a bit of a quest myself. I have always enjoyed the life on the road myself. We have been back and fourth across this country many times and it was my hope to be able to do it again. I can attest to the fact that the west is infinitely better to camp in. So, perhaps spurred on by you and my need for adventure I plotted my escape in June. I planned to drive to San Diego to spend time with our grandson Alex. I made it to Pittsburgh before reality set in. It was too much. Ron needed endless bathroom stops. Our trip ended 5 days later. Though I surrendered my dream for the time being. I am exploring the possibility of living full time in a RV. I do so love the adventure. I don't want to die in a hospital bed.

Reply
Diane Charles
7/22/2021 05:12:09 pm

I find dialog works best with two people. Enjoyed the posts but I am not good at adulation.

Reply
Diane Charles
7/22/2021 09:43:00 pm

Sorry for being pissy, don't know what came over me.

Shelley Pineo-Jensen link
7/23/2021 09:30:58 am

Dearest Diane,
I'm not even sure what you meant by dialog works best with two people. Perhaps I am slow in responding on the website. Since the start of the year I have packed up my entire house into three storage units, moved to a bedroom in my daughter's house from where I launched 6 weeks of the worst camping in my life. I went camping and then discovered it was just a nice name for homeless. I had a van crammed full of everything that would fit but no way to use any of the "work" that I brought.
Then I started searching for a place to live full time, while camping.
Then I started mooching off my brother and his wife - it took us three weeks to find and lease our new home.
Now I'm unpacking three storage units worth of stuff from a large home with a shed into a two bedroom basement apartment.
So I've been busy non-stop since the start of 2021, except for that wonderful brief hiatus for my 70th birthday - when my eldest daughter took me to The Magic Kingdom in Disney World.
I think I'll put this into a blog post. Why not?

Diane Charles
7/25/2021 07:27:11 pm

Don't know, recognition needs?

Reply
Shelley Pineo-Jensen link
7/27/2021 11:24:57 am

Hi Diane,
I did create a new blog post based on my comments to you. You are in my thoughts today.
Shelley

Reply
Diane Charles
7/27/2021 05:41:37 pm

Really? For me? Truely, there is a part of me that really envied your escape. After my set back in June with the failed trip to the west,I still can not bring myself to empty the suitcase. I am obsessed with the idea that i must plan my escape before i am forced into a retirement home. That is so abhorrant to my spirit. Ron, continues to decline mentally. Last week there was a brief moment of clarity when I let his condition come in and i found myself paralyzed with grief. I must plan for a future with my own autonomy. Can my wonderful life (our wonderful adventures) end up in a warehouse for the aged? I have a mantra going "I want to die sitting in the high desert watching a sunset." I must feel close to the earth before i leave.

Diane Charles
7/27/2021 05:42:57 pm

Happiest of Birthdays! Be at peace with the year to come.

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Shelley Pineo-Jensen, Ph.D.