It's Not The Camping That's Wild

I am going away in the morning with two women I have never met before, again.

A few years ago, my sister-in-law asked if I wanted to go wilderness camping with her and some friends. I said yes. In the middle of the planning, she bowed out. But I stayed in. That meant I was going away for the weekend, to live in the bush, with women I didn't know. A few days before we left, these women revealed they were vegetarians. No protein and hanging out with vegetarians in the woods for a whole weekend? I had my doubts.

But I braved it out. Fortunately, these campers turned out to be excellent women - smart, funny, and easy-going, and not overly strict or preachy about their vegetarian ways. That year, I came home four pounds lighter! And I had fantastic fun with them.

So I've been camping with them each year since. I think this is our fourth year together. One year, I was partnered with a woman quite a bit older. She was a senior citizen. Oh you laugh, but I think she was a trooper, keeping up with the paddling and portaging. Okay, I did most of the paddling and lugging of stuff.

This year, there are some new campers. One of them has had a hip replacement and can't walk much. There are two women I don't know. They are picking me up in the morning. I will be driving with these strangers for a few hours and spending the weekend with them. I wonder if I should be worried.