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I just spent a relaxing weekend in Algonquin Park with my parents.  It was a nice, quiet, uneventful weekend.

Except on Friday night when a group of boys went down to the beach at around 11:30PM and started making a lot of noise.  I don’t know what possessed me to do it but I got up from my tent (I happened to be wearing all black and probably looked like a bear in the dark) and crept down to the beach where I crouched down at the edge of the trees.  It took a moment for them to notice me but they did… “WHAT’S THAT??” My response… (again, I don’t know what possessed me) “It’ssss Meeeee” in this sort of deep (voice of God?) voice.  They squealed like girls, I cautioned them to be quiet.  They shushed for a bit but then got louder.  I walked away and then crouched down again.  “It’s still me”.  They were a group of boys from Toronto who had never been camping before.  I’m not sure what they were expecting – a hooting and hollering good time probably.  I bored them with a lesson on the stars.  They got the message and went away.  Very funny.

And then I spent a couple of hours in a canoe at dusk with my Dad on Kearney Lake on Saturday night.  Paddling quietly with my dad was special – he fished, I paddled.  The lake was glassy.  The sky was clear and full of stars (and shooting stars – Persied meteor shower!).  I need to get out of the city more often.Sigh.

Here is my complete camping list:

Bin 1 – Kitchen Equipment Box : Frying Pan, Nesting Pots x 2 (lids!), Kettle, Drinks Jug, Utensils Bin: mixing spoon, lifter, sharp knife (2 sizes), can opener, cork screw, bottle opener, small tongs, bbq fork, cutlery: spoon, fork, knife, steak knife, cutting board, Wash Basins, Whisk Broom, Tablecloth, Plate, Bowl, Mug, Cup, Tin foil, Plastic wrap, Zip bags, Tea Towels, Pot scrubber, Paper towels, Plastic trash bags, Dish soap, J Cloths

Bin 2 – Pantry Stuff – cooking oil, salt & pepper, Garlic Spice, Tea, Rice & Pasta Packs, Peanut Butter, Oil Sprayer, First Aid Kit & Manual. Propane Camp Stove, Propane Fuel, Matches/Lighter, Cooler, Block Ice, Pail for water, Clothes Pins, Flash light & Batteries, Head Lamp & Batteries, Brownie Paperwork for burning.

Clothes:  2 x long pants, 1 x sweat pants, 3 x shorts, 2 x t shirt, 3 long sleeve shirts, Fleece sweat Shirt, Red London Fog Coat, Red rain coat, 5 x socks, 5 x underwear, Swim suit, Sarong, Sun Hat, Ball Cap, Bag for dirty stuff, Tevas, Duckie boots, Swim Shoes, PJ Top, Bottoms, Hoodie, socks & undies, Face Cloth, Towel.

Toiletries: Sun Screen, Tooth brush/ Paste, Lip Balm, Ivory Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Comb/brush, Deodorant, Bug Spray, Bug Bite Stuff, Antacid Tablets 

Stuff: Book, Ipod etc, Eliminator inverter, Small Speakers, Umbrella, Rain Poncho, Hiking shoes, Bug jacket, Bug Hat, Black rain pants

Sitting, Sleeping and Shelter: Small Sleeping bag, Flannel Sheet, Blue Wrap Blanket, Sleeping mat, Pillows & Pillow case, Tent, Tarp x 2, Tent Poles, Guy Lines, Tent Pegs, Camp Chair, Small Camp stool

Tool Kit (Leave in Car), Shower Bag, Pliers, Mallet, Duct Tape, Whistle, Crank Radio, Pie Iron, Marshmallow Fork, Big Tongs, Hamburger Baskets, Candles, Heavier Rope