EVERY FAMILY NEEDS TO GO CAMPING - AT LEAST ONCE
STAY IN A CABIN FOR A NIGHT OR TWO,
TAKE A HIKE, GO SWIMMING, ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
THERE'S A LOT OF NATURE TO SEE AND DO.

START PLANNING FOR A FUN-FILLED TRIP
YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO TRAVEL VERY FAR,
CHECK OUT YOUR STATE FOR PLACES ON A MAP
PACK AN OVER-NIGHT BAG - JUMP IN THE CAR.

GOING TO SPEND THE WEEK-END IN A CABIN
CAN BE FUN ANYTIME OF THE YEAR,
JUST BE SURE YOU HAVE PACKED FOR A RUSTIC TIME
BY TAKING THE RIGHT KIND OF CAMPING GEAR.

PACK UP A GOOD SIZED COOLER
TAKE ASSORTED GOODIES - LOTS OF ICE,
PLENTY OF WIENERS, BAKED BEANS AND MARSHMALLOWS
RED RIPE WATERMELON IS SURE EXTRA NICE.

FRY SOME FAT JUICY HAMBURGERS
LET THE CHARCOAL BURN DOWN REAL LOW,
TURN THE BURGERS ONCE OR TWICE
THEY ARE BETTER IF COOKED VERY SLOW.

DON'T FORGET THE MUSTARD, KETCHUP AND ONIONS
BAG OF CHIPS AND A COLD MOUNTAIN DEW,
PICKLES, MAY-O, A TUB OF POTATO SALAD
I'M GETTING HUNGRY - HOW ABOUT YOU ?

LOAD UP THE CAR WITH LIFE JACKETS
GO SWIMMING IN A NEARBY LAKE,
WADE AND SPLASH - BUT NOT OUT TOO DEEP
DON'T FORGET THE CAMERA - PICTURES YOU'LL TAKE.

JUST ABOUT DARK - BUILD UP A RING OF FIRE
PILE ON SEVERAL NICE BIG LOGS,
SIT AROUND AND WATCH THE FLAMES
TOAST MARSHMALLOWS AND HOT DOGS.

AS THE SUN DESCENDS BEYOND THE HILLS
IS THE TIME I ENJOY BEST OF ALL,
SITTING AROUND A GLOWING CAMP FIRE
WHETHER IT BE SUMMER OR LATE FALL.

CHIEF FIRE-HORSE MIGHT COME FOR A VISIT
HE WILL PERFORM A DANCE OR TWO,
WATCH HIM AS HE MARCHES ABOUT
I DON'T BELIEVE HE WILL SCARE YOU.

IN THE LIGHT SHINNING FROM THE FLAMES
AS DAYLIGHT WAS BEGINNING TO FADE AWAY,
MY GRANDSON PRETENDED TO BE AN INDIAN
IN A CIRCLE HE WENT ABOUT BUSY AT PLAY.

GET UP EARLY - SIT OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH
SOMEONE WILL COME UP WITH IDEAS OF WHAT TO DO,
CAVES TO EXPLORE - MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB
VISIT A SANDY BEACH - BUILD A CASTLE OR TWO.

PREPARE A BREAKFAST - HOT BISCUITS AND GRAVY
LATHER ON - GRAPE JELLY OR STRAWBERRY JAM,
WE DRANK LOTS OF COLD APPLE JUICE
STACK ON A PLATTER - BACON, SAUSAGE OR SLICES OF HAM.

SOME OF THE ADVENTURES WE HAVE HAD
WE NOW TELL OVER AND OVER WITH DELIGHT,
WHILE PREPARING BREAKFAST EARLY ONE MORNING
IN THE OVEN WE LEFT BY ACCIDENT - A GOOD FLASHLIGHT.

MY SON GOT A BIG TUMBLING SPILL
THE PLASTIC CHAIR BROKE - TO THE FLOOR HE DID SAIL,
MY GRANDDAUGHTER SUDDENLY DISAPPEARED
AT AGE THREE SHE WENT BELOW, THROUGH A PORCH RAIL.

AS YOU TRAVEL WITH YOUR FAMILY MAKING MEMORIES
THE YEARS WILL COME AND GO WAY TOO FAST,
BUT THESE CHERISHED MOMENTS SPENT TOGETHER
YOU HAVE YOUR PICTURES - THOSE TREASURES WILL LAST.

Written July 21, 2008

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