Camping can be a dirty affair.

It was cold a few weekends ago, but Melinda was ready to go, so we went up to Huntsville State Park and stayed in a tent. We slept in all our clothes; Melinda was still cold. We smelled like camp fire.

Soul Cleansing

Camping may be dirty physically, but it’s cleansing to the soul. Out at 3:00 am, I was astonished that the sky was full of stars. I didn’t expect that an hour’s drive north of downtown Houston. The park itself is wet and green. The lake shore has crept up into the trees. Our hike half way around the lake included continuous hopping over small, swift streams. It reminded me of Colorado, except the water was muddy and the land was flat.

We spent all afternoon Saturday struggling to keep the camp fire burning. Melinda and I debated where the next log belonged. We missed our camping companions. Hours drifted away staring into the fire. I announced that the next time my fire would consist only of ‘cheater’ fire starter material. Melinda rolled her eyes.

Melinda and I spent quality time alone together. That was the true goal, and at that we were very successful.