A simply lovely memory, Julie B. Hughes! Sometimes, after clearing more brush to increase garden space, we’d have a bonfire before dusk. Then my brother and I would place an old canvas tarp on the grass, then our sleeping bags. Light pollution didn’t intrude in the later 50’s in our town of 500 peeps. My mind would race as we spotted constellations like The Big Dipped, the Little Dipper, and Orion. Parts of a far away world. Thanks for this prompt!
Wonderful indeed, Julie B. Hughes. My absence this morning was due to Beth’s continued struggle with the new medicine. Soon to be on the mend. I drove her to work for an 11:00 team meeting, and not really certain if she might call for rescue. Hopeful.
Thank you so much for asking, Julie B. Hughes. The “mending” has begun. Last night was the first night in nearly a week that Beth slept soundly. She hopes to work all day today, then attend Tai Chi in the early evening. Strength and hugs always welcome!
Hi Gary, I'm so happy to hear. Thank you for letting me know. I hope Beth has another night of refreshing sleep. We look forward to seeing you again when it works for your schedule.
Thanks, Julie B. Hughes. Beth is building up her strength, and worked a full day today. Regarding next Monday, might Memorial Day affect Zoom attendance? I’ll look for your early Monday email for details. 😁
My cousins and I would lay out a tarp and sleep outside under the stars. Everything was so quite and beautiful. We live on farmland so in the back field near a spring was our favorite spot. One time a running deer jumped over us all. A bit scary when that happens at night but also a bit funny. I miss those days. I need to go camping maybe.
Hi Al, Thank you so much for sharing this story here. That is both scary and funny about the deer. I hope you can lie under the stars soon, even if for a few minutes.
I recall sleeping under the stars at camp in Northern Wisconsin as if it were yesterday instead of 70 years ago. The awe and wonder of the great outdoors is a gift we should give every youngster.
I imagine it now. Thank you, Clark. I agree. Planning a great outdoor adventure for the kids very soon! It's the best place to be. I hope your week is off to a great start.
Thanks Jules. Listening to a podcast by Michael Gervais, "Finding Mastery" as he interviews Steven Pressfield, "The War of Art author". You might enjoy it as a writer yourself.
Oh thank you! I will check that interview out. I enjoyed his book "The War of Art." It's on my writing desk and I look to it often when the resistance shows up...which it does...and I'm happy to know it's normal, but I can choose to keep going. How's the book coming along?
That doesn't sound like cheating to me, Claudette - I'd say putting a mattress on the deck absolutely counts as sleeping outside! And how lovely to be able to watch the raccoons and their antics.
What a beautiful carefree approach, Julie. As we speak virtually, we too are at a campsite and enjoying the unsoiled offerings of Mother Nature. It is a blissful situation and truly priceless. Loved reading and gathering inspiration as always. 😊😊
Sad & Dejected, as the sunset, I lay my beaten body down right on the trail. I had my climbers down bivy bag (half a sleeping bag), my down coat, and full body Nylon sack to crawl into (wind and rain). My pack served as a pillow. REM came quickly.
That was the end to Day 3 running the John Muir Trail. I had ran against the clock. 32 miles and how many 10,000’+ passes? I couldn’t recall. My mind was foggy. I was alone, south of Red’s Meadow. It was mile 90 of 230. My first foot issues had presented. I was on my own for the next 4.5 days till I peaked Mt. Whitney.
The clock represented the ferry at a remote lake. The ferry brought PCT and JMT through-hikers to the other end of Edison Lake for a respite. Here one would get a cot, a burger and free beer (if I drank). Ferry or 20 mile detour?
I pushed and I failed. I was ten minutes late for the ferry. I could feel a door slam shut. My food plan had included that dinner!
I awoke in the pre-dawn, packed and slowly moved back into a run... 140 miles and I'll get a real meal!
I remember sleeping outside at Guide Camp - it was one of our challenges for the week to 'sleep under the stars' one night. We pulled our groundsheets and sleeping bags out of our tents, spread out the groundsheets into one enormous surface and arranged ourselves in a circle on it, with our heads on the outside of the circle, so that we could all be covered up with a gigantic tarpaulin, just with our heads sticking out. It wasn't going to rain, but our guide leaders thought it would be a good idea not to have our sleeping bags getting too wet with the dew.
I woke up very, very early to the sound of the dawn chorus - the birds were going absolutely crazy, and lying there listening to their concert is one of my favourite memories still today. xxx
A simply lovely memory, Julie B. Hughes! Sometimes, after clearing more brush to increase garden space, we’d have a bonfire before dusk. Then my brother and I would place an old canvas tarp on the grass, then our sleeping bags. Light pollution didn’t intrude in the later 50’s in our town of 500 peeps. My mind would race as we spotted constellations like The Big Dipped, the Little Dipper, and Orion. Parts of a far away world. Thanks for this prompt!
Hi Gary, I'm so happy you shared this memory with us. Thank you so much. Isn't it wonderful to see the stars and imagine being among them?
Wonderful indeed, Julie B. Hughes. My absence this morning was due to Beth’s continued struggle with the new medicine. Soon to be on the mend. I drove her to work for an 11:00 team meeting, and not really certain if she might call for rescue. Hopeful.
Good morning Gary, I do hope Beth is on the mend. We missed you but totally understand. Sending strength and hugs your way.
Thank you so much for asking, Julie B. Hughes. The “mending” has begun. Last night was the first night in nearly a week that Beth slept soundly. She hopes to work all day today, then attend Tai Chi in the early evening. Strength and hugs always welcome!
Hi Gary, I'm so happy to hear. Thank you for letting me know. I hope Beth has another night of refreshing sleep. We look forward to seeing you again when it works for your schedule.
Thanks, Julie B. Hughes. Beth is building up her strength, and worked a full day today. Regarding next Monday, might Memorial Day affect Zoom attendance? I’ll look for your early Monday email for details. 😁
My cousins and I would lay out a tarp and sleep outside under the stars. Everything was so quite and beautiful. We live on farmland so in the back field near a spring was our favorite spot. One time a running deer jumped over us all. A bit scary when that happens at night but also a bit funny. I miss those days. I need to go camping maybe.
Hi Al, Thank you so much for sharing this story here. That is both scary and funny about the deer. I hope you can lie under the stars soon, even if for a few minutes.
Towering pine trees
Fragrant needles under foot
A full moon above
I recall sleeping under the stars at camp in Northern Wisconsin as if it were yesterday instead of 70 years ago. The awe and wonder of the great outdoors is a gift we should give every youngster.
I imagine it now. Thank you, Clark. I agree. Planning a great outdoor adventure for the kids very soon! It's the best place to be. I hope your week is off to a great start.
Thanks Jules. Listening to a podcast by Michael Gervais, "Finding Mastery" as he interviews Steven Pressfield, "The War of Art author". You might enjoy it as a writer yourself.
Oh thank you! I will check that interview out. I enjoyed his book "The War of Art." It's on my writing desk and I look to it often when the resistance shows up...which it does...and I'm happy to know it's normal, but I can choose to keep going. How's the book coming along?
I cheated. I put a mattress on the deck! But we did get to see the raccoons come out of the tree and start their nighttime adventures.
This made me laugh out loud. Thank you, Claudette for sharing. :) Hugs to you.
That doesn't sound like cheating to me, Claudette - I'd say putting a mattress on the deck absolutely counts as sleeping outside! And how lovely to be able to watch the raccoons and their antics.
I agree with you, Rebecca! :)
Lol thank you Rebecca!!
What a beautiful carefree approach, Julie. As we speak virtually, we too are at a campsite and enjoying the unsoiled offerings of Mother Nature. It is a blissful situation and truly priceless. Loved reading and gathering inspiration as always. 😊😊
Hi Vineet, Sounds wonderful. Enjoy your surroundings and loved ones. Thank you for your message.
Thanks a ton, Julie. 😊
It’s my pleasure, and thank you for your kindness and encouragement.
😊🙏🙏😊
I am going to propose that my 9 yo daught and I sleep outside this coming weekend! Thank you for all the inspiration - everyone.
Awesome David! How fun. :) Enjoy. Thank you for being here with us.
Tell me about a time you slept outside...
Sad & Dejected, as the sunset, I lay my beaten body down right on the trail. I had my climbers down bivy bag (half a sleeping bag), my down coat, and full body Nylon sack to crawl into (wind and rain). My pack served as a pillow. REM came quickly.
That was the end to Day 3 running the John Muir Trail. I had ran against the clock. 32 miles and how many 10,000’+ passes? I couldn’t recall. My mind was foggy. I was alone, south of Red’s Meadow. It was mile 90 of 230. My first foot issues had presented. I was on my own for the next 4.5 days till I peaked Mt. Whitney.
The clock represented the ferry at a remote lake. The ferry brought PCT and JMT through-hikers to the other end of Edison Lake for a respite. Here one would get a cot, a burger and free beer (if I drank). Ferry or 20 mile detour?
I pushed and I failed. I was ten minutes late for the ferry. I could feel a door slam shut. My food plan had included that dinner!
I awoke in the pre-dawn, packed and slowly moved back into a run... 140 miles and I'll get a real meal!
This is great, David...and I bet there is so much more to this story to share. Keep going. Thank you for being here.
Oh, this is beautiful!
I remember sleeping outside at Guide Camp - it was one of our challenges for the week to 'sleep under the stars' one night. We pulled our groundsheets and sleeping bags out of our tents, spread out the groundsheets into one enormous surface and arranged ourselves in a circle on it, with our heads on the outside of the circle, so that we could all be covered up with a gigantic tarpaulin, just with our heads sticking out. It wasn't going to rain, but our guide leaders thought it would be a good idea not to have our sleeping bags getting too wet with the dew.
I woke up very, very early to the sound of the dawn chorus - the birds were going absolutely crazy, and lying there listening to their concert is one of my favourite memories still today. xxx
Oh, what a fabulous memory. Thank you so much for your generous comments, Rebecca and for sharing your stories with us. It's such a gift.