Pitching the tent, un-rolling the sleeping bags, the acrid smell of bug repellent…what am I talking about? CAMPING!!!! Yes with the warmer weather and the upcoming 3 day weekend I am heading into the outdoors for some fresh air and fun in the sun. The destination is Salmon La Sac located about 15 minutes from Cle Elum, Washington. We are going tent all the way…no wimpy yurts or cabins for us.

My father was always into camping. He does it every year with the YMCA in San Francisco. You would be amazed if you saw how much gear this man has. If he really wanted to he could open a mini REI. And because of his undying love for camping I was bestowed camping knick knacks as christmas gifts. Mind you I go camping maybe once a year so giving me camping gear doesn’t really make sense. But you got to love him…he does come up with some pretty nifty and interesting gifts.

Travel Chopsticks:
WHY? I have no idea what compelled my Dad to buy these for me. When would I possibly need Travel Chopsticks? If I was camping, the last thing I would think to use as an eating instrument is a pair of chopsticks. Give me a fork…spoon…heck even a knife…but chopsticks? Nevertheless…it is a cool gift…and I gave it a big thumbs up.

Platypus Water Bottle:
Cool item…I get it but why would I need it? When he gave this to me you should have seen it…smiles from ear to ear. He was SO proud that he got it for me and all I could do was smile nervously back and give him a hug. I was sure I would find a use for it someday…perhaps this weekend is the right time.

Mini Lantern:
Lantern…I understand. Mini Lantern…I am not comprehending. When is there ever a need for just a dab of light? A pinch of light? Like…I am out in the middle of the woods and it is pitch black. Am I going to grab the big lantern? No no no…the mini lantern is the way to go because for some reason all I need to see is the light surrounding the hand that is holding the lantern. But still….I smiled and hugged him and said thanks for the gift.

Freeze Dried Food:
Stranded on a trail with nothing left to eat. I could either forage and most likely get very sick or I could eat one of these. However, it does require hot water which I wouldn’t have unless I had a fire and a pot. I guess this is a cool gift…provided that I had all the required items needed to rehydrate the contents of the package. And as I sit here trying to rationalize why this gift is cool the voice in the back of my head is screaming “DAD! What were you thinking buying me freeze-dried food for Christmas???”

Don’t get me wrong…I love my Dad to death but sometimes you just have to wonder what is going on in his head when he is buying gifts.