Shenandoah
It was a peaceful four days up in the Shenandoah National Forest. Almost a dozen of us, relaxing and camping. I got to drink from mountain streams and this time I managed not to get lost in the woods like some crazy version of BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. We cleaned out Churchill's bathtub once more and it became an unlimited source of fresh, icy-cold water. We ate beef brisket (with three types of barbeque sauce), oyster stew, vegetarian potato salad, coleslaw, egg scramble with sausage, traditional cajun gumbo, an assortment of lamb ribs and delicious lamb chops, and the ever-popular "good morning burger" (1/2lb. burger with bacon, cheese, and a giant strip of pork jowel bacon in the shape of a smiley-face.)
We saved a baby mouse that was caught helplessly on the floor of one of the bedrooms. It's eyes were not even open yet and it was crying for help piteously. We took pity on it and fed it and gave it water. It was happy to move around (sightless) in the cardboard box, giving affection for food. Then we caught another mouse..... and another. By the time we were done, I had dryly commented to Della that we had a mouse GULAG instead of a wayward home for youngsters. At the end, they all had to leave. I personally wanted to feed all three of them to the huge (partially blind) black snake prowling around on the lower bend of the river, as black snakes are non-poisonous, friendly, and help keep the vermin population in check, but I was outvoted. No free dinner for old black snakes with only one good eye. A pity.
After a week in Cleveland and another four days camping, I was glad to be sleeping in my own bed. My back was hurting me, and I slept for nine hours uninterrupted, which is a minor record for me. My bones are still stiff, but at least I can move around without limping and I no longer smell like Grizzly Adams after four days of unwashed trekking through the Virginia Mountains.
Lots of good campfire stories. Lots of really terrible off-color jokes. Lots of enchantingly-good brownies and freely-traded rum of many different varieties. Amazingly good food and company. I hate sleeping on a wooden pallet though. That shit is for younger men.
I guess there is nothing left to do but make my money now to pay the bills. Back to the internets!