My first real camping experience was a trip to Natural Bridge Kentucky with my sister, her husband, and his son - my best friend. Kenny and I were invited along on their honeymoon, believe it or not, and we were very excited 11-year-olds. Camping in small (pup) tents, we set up camp in a lovely meadow, and J.K., my brother-in-law, told us spooky bear stories. That night, I woke everyone screaming that I had heard a bear growling. The bear turned out to be a large gentleman camping across the hallow - snoring. We stayed but a few nights, but the seed was planted for me. Camping was in my blood.
Not too long after that, my sister Bette and J.K. bought a small aluminum fishing boat with a one-half horsepower motor, and we were off to the lake. The lake,now known as Greenbo Lake State Park, Ky., is a hallow flooded and dammed to form a beautiful man-made lake. It was not as yet open to the general public. We launched our boat, picked out a good campsite on the lakeshore,and set up our campsite. We used machetes to clear the bush and trenched our pup tents. With no one but us in the area, we were alone in the wild! My experiences while on that trip made impressions that changed my life. I attribute my love for nature, camping, and a deep appreciation for the basic elements of life to that fabulous childhood adventure. Impressions of youth do long endure.
While on these short camping trips, my brother-in-law taught me responsibility. Chores important to the well being of the camp were assigned. Firewood had to be gathered and cut, our tents kept neat and clean, our boat securely tied to the lake bank, and dinner dishes washed. Silly little chores that made me feel important and necessary. You live with nature, he taught, not on it. If you catch a fish, eat it or throw it back. The duck and geese live there too - let them be. Respect poison ivy and oak, don't touch. And, when it is time to go home, leave the land as you found it. Admire nature, love it and appreciate its beauty because it is - after all - the very essence of life. J.K. and my sister taught me a lot more than they realized.
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