Outing

Friday night was the Fathers and Sons camp out. Ryan has not shown much interest in going the last few years, but I figured the he wanted to go, I would go notwithstanding my limitations. Why couldn’t I sleep in a tent?  I have a lot of strange problems, but I have no prohibition against eating breakfast burritos.

It was for the whole stake and Ryan was cast in a skit by his leaders so he wanted to go, but for the evening only.  It was only about thirty minutes away so I was game.

Unfortunately, we had to park some distance from where our ward was congregated, maybe 100 yards.  Once we reached them Ryan found a friend and disappeared. It was then that I realized I’d left the folding chairs in car. Not only did I not want to trek back there, Ryan had the keys. I stood visiting for about 30 minutes, which is longer than I thought I could. Finally I asked a friend to call Ryan and have him return. He did and before long I had the chairs. It wasn’t an emergency because I could have just sat on the ground. It might have been a little weird with seven men all standing but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

The next challenge was the restroom. It was in a building down the road, about 300 yards in the opposite direction. When I had gone about half way I thought maybe walking that far wasn’t a good idea but what choice did I have? It is impossible to describe, but I'll try.  Each step is no big deal but as I walk, my body temperature slowly rises and the nerve signals to my legs and feet are diminish. It takes a lot of concentration.

I made it, and back, which kind of surprised me. I would not have guessed I could walk that far, unaided, over uneven ground no less. I should have remembered to bring my walking stick!  By the time I got back I was rather unsteady. I did my best to be inconspicuous and eventually found my chair.

I rested for a few minutes; my feet were very hot, with socks and shoes on, and I was generally warm. I guess I’m just not cut out for much in the great outdoors anymore.

The sun was setting and the program would be starting soon.  Unfortunately, it was back near the restroom. I couldn’t. Fortunately Ryan was nearby so I had him help me back to the car, where I waited for him to do his skit (barefoot with the a/c blasting.)

So, it was clearly the worst F&S experience I’d had, but what did I expect? We were not staying the night and I have real limitations and I cannot ignore them or be unprepared.

It did bring back many fond memories of past outings.  I only hope that my son remembers the good ones more than the one where he had to help his dad back to the car.

Silver lining?   There are lots.  I have a son, we have many "good ones" to remember, and although I was unsteady, miserably warm, and uncomfortable for a spell, I didn't fall, injure myself, or create a spectacle.  Life is good.  (Also, I was soundly sleeping in my bed when at 2:00 a.m. there was a terrible thunderstorm that basically washed out the camp; I didn't have to deal with that!)