Do you remember when Canadian Tire had a catalog? I know Sears still does but I don't think CTire does anymore. I loved the arrival of the summer catalog. I would flip through and figure out what I wanted to buy: side packs for my bike, the one person portable tent, sleeping bag, the portable stove...basically everything I would need for a biking/camping adventure. I priced out camp grounds and ferry rides and tried to figure out the best route for my trip. I WANTED to do the trip. I knew I could do the trip. It would be amazing. Each summer would end and I wouldn't have purchased any of the items for the trip and I wouldn't have gone on my bike trip.

I don't know why.

As the boyfriends in university came and went I hoped one of them would be up for the adventure, but never were. The very odd camping trip here and there but nothing like I dreamed about. Sigh.

This year is about doing things I want to do...so I'm going camping. The bike is not coming with me on this trip. It is not the ideal dream bike trip, but it is a camping trip. I always pictured myself on the road alone seeing new sites setting my own schedule. Last weekend while driving to Edson I decided I wanted to go camping. I was almost going to spend the night in Jasper...unplanned...spontaneous like. But realized I'd be more upset the next day when the battery on the camera would die and I wouldn't be able to take any photos. Instead of the night in Jasper I decided that a camping trip was in order. On the drive back I went to Walmart and bought myself a tent.

Mid-late August is not the best time to buy a tent. The selection at the stores is pretty much crap. I managed to find a 3 man tent that I should be able to set up by myself. It is smallish so that if I do another hiking/biking/camping trip it could be easily transported. Not as easily as the tents from the Canadian Tire catalogue or the MEC website (oh to win that contest) but definitely do able. I bought a couple of disposable bbq's and a small camp stove. Essentially a flat burner over some liquid fuel. No propane for me.

I spent the majority of Sunday evening surfing the internet for campgrounds in and around Alberta. There are two official weekends left in the summer and I intend to enjoy them. Finally today I booked my long weekend....I won't tell you where. I am still waiting to hear back from the campground that I selected for this weekend. When/if they get back to me I'll let you know.

Today at work I started my list of what I would need. For a one person two night trip there is a lot of stuff to pack.
ground sheet (tarp)
tent
sleeping bag
flannel sheet
pillow
towel
dish cloth/towel
pot
dishes/cutlery
bbq
lighter
mini-stove
fuel for mini-stove
food
water
knife
twine/rope
clothes
you get the picture...

I'm really excited. Even rain wouldn't dampen the trip. My back up plan for rain--find a hotel. The weather report for the weekend (at this moment) looks good. Sunny skies and hot temperatures. The camera will be ready and so will I. With any luck I will get to leave work early on Friday. I asked yesterday and was left with the impression that the whole office might get to close up a couple hours early. Lunch out followed by not returning to the office. Sounds good to me!

The weekends are going to be low-stress, meditative type weekends. Hermit weekends. One of the ladies at the office can't imagine camping on her own. I think it will be nice. Yes, I live alone and the only big difference might be a stiff back in the morning but to me it is a sort of fulfillment of a dream. Like Italy.

Yes, in all likelihood you will be reading tales of how I want to/am getting ready to go camping for the next few days.