The "New" Normal

Like an old dog who needs to make at least 3 circles before he lays down, Hutch kept “fussing” with everything in/around the camper for the first 24 hours of camping at the New River Gorge, before finally settling down and letting the pace of the river seep into his bones.  Living on the side of a river bank for a couple of days is a blessing.  The life of the river rolls by as you measure your days in visits to the water, meals made by its banks and the little expeditionary successes of a “new” camper set up. 


Here’s some lessons learned from our days spent resting by the river:

• The rain tarp collects water as well as it keeps it off our heads, failure to plan for drainage will result in a broken pole.  No harm, another one is on its way already.  Thanks Diamond Brand!
• Shari’s new bike has evened the playing field and now Hutch is keeping up with her instead of the other way around.
• Despite the fact that Verizon Wireless claims to be the largest cell phone carrier on the planet, you have to call them at least 3 times to get your new phone to work properly.   Is it too much to ask to have both texts and calls arrive on the same phone?
• Hutch was an otter in a former life, as soon as he would dry off back into the water he’d go.

• As much as we’ve pared things down, we still have too much stuff! 
•  Ice will last in our cooler for approximately 48 hours in hot summer weather.  Bring on autumn!
• Our solar panel really needs a longer cable.
• The “camping system” we imagined really does work.
•  Taking a mid-day nap is true bit of heaven that these working professionals haven’t indulged in in many years.
• The home-made truckbed cover keeps things pretty much dry and it was well tested by good ol’ Mother Nature these past few days.
• There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why a train blows its horn at 3 in the morning, but doesn’t at 3 in the afternoon.
• Always use available resources, even if you have to drag them out of the river.  Rocks make great trailer levelers, canopy anchors, dishwashing tables, pot scrapers, hamstring stretchers, etc. 
• The call of the rapids can be overpowered by the call of stillness; Hutch decided to enjoy the river in a different way on this visit.
• Bungie cords are your best friend – travel with at least 10 of them at all times.
• Even if Hutch doesn’t dub the area as “buggie,” Shari will get at least 150 bites. 
•  It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, but don’t tell the National Park Service guys that!

 Michigan bound tomorrow….  As the state motto claims, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”