Have I got tales to tell to you, but only if I can substitute the word "BACKPACKING" for "camping." Until my hip gave out about five years ago, I was a seriously hardcore backpacker! I looked forward to every September as that's when I would go off for 11 to 13 day solo hikes in the Washington Olympic Mountains.

I'd wait until school started and all the teachers and students (and rangers) were out of the mountains and then I'd go in. I'd often go in with 60 pounds of food and supplies on my back. About three days up the trail, I'd climb a high tree and stash a food bag with the final three days of food. Then I'd head in toward "Mt. Olympus", or the "High Divide," or I'd follow the "Press Party Trail." Upon my returning without much food and still three days from the trailhead, there would be my food bag, and vodka, waiting for me! (like xmas all over again).

Sometimes I'd do a "crossover." That's where you have breakfast in Olympia with another hiking party, afterwards you'd exchange cars and car keys, and drive each other's rig to your jump off point. Then somewhere on the trail, maybe 5 to 7 days later, you would meet each other going the other way. You'd share a campfire and stories, exchange car keys, and when you left the mountains again, there was your own rig waiting for you.

With my now new hip, I'm starting to get misty eyed whenever I look to the West from my home in Everett and see the Olympics, just calling to me again. CHEERS, Bob (by the way, camping is great fun also ... but only if you like people and brats).