I’m tired.

We have a camp about a hundred miles from here. It’s a 20-foot tagalong camper that we’ve converted into a sort of hillbilly double-wide; we ordered trusses, boxed the whole thing in, and turned it into a cabin. Once we used our Ingersoll Rand air tools to cut the tongue off the front of the camper, we gave up any notions that it was still portable in any way.

The campsite is idyllic, located right next to a lake with plenty of boating, fishing, and swimming. The neighbors are great (now that the grumpy old people next door have sold and moved). Being at camp is like having my own private Discovery Channel.

The problem is getting ready to go. That’s why I’m so tired! Before actually loading up the Jeep with clothes, food, dogs, tools (we ALWAYS need tools: water leaks, critters, etc), and what-not, there’s the pre-trip ritual of planning to go to camp. That means lists.

The last thing you want to do is get there only to realize that something you can’t possibly live without is sitting at home just inside the front door. I know; I’ve done that. Then it’s off to Store X to replace it, and hey, money’s tight! So today, BJ and I are (big gulp here) LISTING CAMP ITEMS.

I hate it. By the time I’m ready to go, I’m exhausted. Going to camp should be relaxing and fun, but it always feels like so much work.

We’re not leaving until Saturday, and by then, the laundry will be done, food will be bought and sealed in plastic, plumbing parts will be organized, and the Jeep will be packed. So maybe it won’t be so bad….