Every year for the past 40 years or so, there has been a family camping trip in June. It has been held in various locations but for the last few years it is held in New Braunfels along the Guadelupe River. I had first attended over 30 years ago when my daughter, Erin, and I participated to see what this family adventure was all about. She and I (Steve had gigs) brought a tiny kid size pup tent and spent two cozy nights in it only to have to grab our stuff and get the hell out of there by multitudes of thunderstorms on the third day. Since I had been in California for many years, I did not have the pleasure of going on the camping trip again until 3 years ago upon moving back. I took my Mom and we stayed in her air conditioned pop up tent. Boy, had camping changed. I went this year for the first time since then. I rode with my sister and her daughter in her truck pulling the same pop up tent (she had bought it from Mom.) The trip was to be longer than the usual three days as before to 6 days, 5 nights. Sounded like good R & R to me as I had been working almost everyday and needed a break. We got there, set up camp and proceeded at a snail’s pace through the following days. Slowing down felt good… for a day.

Since I am somewhat of a different thinker from other people on this camping trip, I thought of it as a chance for research of behavior. I was quiet, almost invisible and observing everything. Here are some of my observations:
1. drinking adult beverages for 8-10 hours straight is totally acceptable
2. lots of beef, lots of beer
3. More than enough food, in fact, too much. Lots of it thrown away.
4. Floating down the river requires tubes and an extra tube to carry the adult beverages.
5. It is a requirement on the last day after packing up all your stuff and before leaving, that you bond with the river once again by sitting in the middle of it and toasting it with a beer.
6. All sleeping is done in air conditioning except for a small, small majority who slept in tents.
7. Everybody shares everything.
8. When the adult beverages kick in late at night, it can turn into a love fest.
9. Country Western music is played almost constantly

Like I said, I was quiet and somewhat introverted but taking note of my surroundings and human behavior. The dynamics between husband and wife, parent and child and siblings was definitely interesting material. In the evening after dinner I retired to the pop up to watch “Orange is the New Black” while there was much carrying on in the river. While country music was playing during the day, I plugged in my earphones and listened to my own selected cuts on my iPad of jazz and R & B.

I did enjoy the experience but it will probably be my last. I move way too fast and am always doing 5 things at once. I am uncomfortable sitting still. It is too slow of a pace for me.

The camaraderie was wonderful and all the little kiddos and babies adorable, but as my Aunt said, one screaming baby is enough, but six? No thank you.