My Last. Camping Trip

Have you ever been camping?

Back in 1976, I traveled around the US for two months camping in many National Parks. From Shenandoah to Mount Ranier, my two-man backpack tent was all I needed.

So skip to 50 years later, I have this great idea to go camping again. We bought a two-man tent and a blow-up air mattress because I realized at my age I just can’t sleep on the ground.

We decided to test it out in Myrtle Beach where our friends had a camper by the ocean. We set up our little tent right next to their beautiful camper.

As you get older, your bladder is no longer as kind as when you are young. The first night I woke at least three times and so did my husband. As we walked across the campground towards the restroom, I could see with a yearning heart a Marriott in the distance. But, oh well, I was going to give this a shot.

The second night was way more challenging. Before we settled into our little temporary abode, the news was reporting bad winds and rain. We helped our friends secure their outside furniture and take in their awning.

I was sound asleep when suddenly I was feeling drops of water hitting my face. At first, I squinted and pulled the covers over my head. But a booming thunder and a flash of lightning made me sit up.

My husband woke and we watched as our tent was going in and out, as though someone was breathing life into it. We decided we better get out of the tent and go to our car. As we looked outside the tent, a river of water ran around us. And, yes it was a raging river.

I saw my friend’s light on in the camper and she was motioning us to come inside. We gathered the most important things and headed to the camper.

I made it in fine. But my husband weighed down with all our valuables, fell backwards into the river of water.

He finally made it in to camper soaking wet. My friend put on the coffee and we stayed there through the storm.

We sold the tent at a yard sale a week later!