'Real' Camping

My tenting outings over the last few years have been limited to the backyard. This summer I had opportunity to get out the tent and head to Fish Lake; not once but twice! 

Blue sky and sunshine prevailed on both trips.  The lake was like glass; so calm that you could see the fish swimming.

I hiked the trail alongside the lake.  It loops up into the trees through a moss covered forest floor.  The hike is different each time you go as there are a variety of wildflowers that bloom at different times throughout the season.  Indian paintbrush, prairie lilies, wild roses, wild asters and liatris are only a few of the many flowers that grow in that area.  I stopped numerous times to take in the beauty of the flowers.  This caused me to lose my glasses somewhere in the forest undergrowth.  Good thing the second pair was in the glove compartment.

Each time I visit the Nordegg area, I make a return visit to Landslide Lake.  A controlled burn took place there years ago and the area is in the process of rejuvenation.  The burnt bark is now peeling to reveal pure white trunks.  The contrast is breathtaking.  

Young aspens are growing, creating an underbrush for the birds to hide in and the moose to forage in.

The area is sacred ground for the nearby aboriginals.  They fasten prayer flags to the trees during their spiritual ceremonies.  I was fascinated by the neatness of the knots on one particular tree.

I took my fishing rod along on both occasions.  The fish did not bite but the time spent at the water's edge was relaxing.  I have visited Fish Lake since the late 1980s and during my visit in August, it was the first time that I was asked for my fishing license by a conservation officer!  I guess there is a first time for everything.

I was part of the minority in the campground; a tenter.  Most sites had large trailers or motorhomes parked on them.  Satellite dishes, televisions, showers, dishwashers and all the other comforts of home could be found in those recreation vehicles.  What kind of camping is that?  

I did have to laugh as one poor fellow tried backing his big unit into the site across from me.  He must have been new at the process.  Forward.  Backward.  Forward.  Backward.  He had a really hard time trying to get that trailer parked.  As he shut the motor of the truck off, I heard his teenaged daughters, "Dad, this site has no power.  We can't park here."  Good old dad had just spent thirty minutes trying to park as darkness fell and his daughters couldn't stay in that spot because there was no power.

I love 'real' camping.  There's nothing like the smell of a campfire and cooking over it.  There's nothing like hearing the coyotes howl and the loons call as you lay awake in the tent.  There's nothing like breathing in the crisp mountain air as you stick your head outside the tent in the morning.

When I put the gear away for the year, I packed it so I can grab and go next year when camping season rolls around again.  I can't wait.