HERE WE GO!
Finally, after all those months, weeks, and days of waiting, the day is here! As you read this, I am on the road and expect to be there for the lion’s share of the day
Category Archives: CAMPING
Oklacon 2012 Journal #3: Road Trip!
I will drive 500 miles
One of the bigger challenges of my trip to Oklacon is going to be the drive: according to Yahoo Maps, the shortest route from San Antonio is more-or-less a 500 mile straight shot up US Highway 281 to Roman Nose State Park. While I will be bypassing the messes to be found in Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, there will instead be lots of stopping at lots of small towns along the way.
Being from a small town myself, I’m okay with that. It is going to be nice to be out on the road seeing things besides gas stations and fast-food joints. Also, given my intolerance for spending long times in the car, there will also be plenty of opportunities to stop for rest, drink, food, and attending to certain biological needs. 🙂
This will be the first true test of my new vehicle. Just going to Houston was a pain in my 2005 Dodge Neon (aka The Reliant) and I was not looking forward to taking longer trips in it. I’m hoping that the increased interior space and more comfortable seating found in my 2012 Honda CR-V (aka The Excelsior) will make the trip more pleasant.
The thought of the fun to be had at my destination should be enough to keep me going, but if all else fails, there’s always coffee.
Oklacon 2012 Journal #2: Vacation From Myself
Rockin the 8-bit tie!
I have resolved to start taking more ‘real’ vacations; a ‘real vacation’ being a trip during which I go somewhere or do something that I have never seen or done before. Thus, I will be attending Oklacon later this week: it will be the first road trip I’ve had in awhile, barely my second furry convention, and my first ‘outdoor’ convention. As such, I’ll be camping for three days and some new friends will be coming along.
While that is all fine and dandy, it also occurred to me that I could also take a vacation from myself. I attend fan conventions regularly, but I’ve never really gone through the trouble of putting a costume together for a convention. Granted, I’ve tried once or twice but its was still me, just wearing an 8-bit tie or a half-assed steampunk-type outfit; no glue, no gears, no goggles, so no steampunk.
As geeks/nerds/otkau/what-have-yous, I think we’re fortunate in that regard. Like the Rekall sales weasel told Quaid in Total Recall: “What is the same about every vacation you’ve ever taken?”
“You!”
Oklacon 2012 Journal #1: Off the Grid
Furries under the stars!
Oklacon is just a few days away, and I am in the process of getting things ready: making a list of equipment to bring, topping off stuff with fuel, getting warmer clothing out of storage, making sure I have plenty of batteries, and so on and so forth. In viewing various posts here and there I had heard of something called ‘cell phone hill’ so on a hunch, I decided to check Sprint’s coverage.
Yikes. It looks as if I’m going to be outside of Sprint’s coverage area, so I’m going to be roaming, which probably means no data. Now, I presume that no data means no internets, and I find myself just a little bit apprehensive at the thought of really being ‘off the grid.’ As you may guess, I’m one of those people that is always checking my smartphone or laptop for e-mails or Facebook posts or tweets or comments on my blogs (like this one!) and so on and so forth.
While the thought of not having access to the tubes is a little bit scary (I think I may have a problem), on the other hand, its something else I can take a vacation from, and it’ll probably do me some good…I hope!
Camping Journal #7 – …And Home Again
Suspect is fuzzy and likes bread and eggs
July 14, 2012, 816 am, at McDonald’s in Spring Branch
-a little sunburned-
What a night.
As if sleeping in the humidity wasn’t difficult enough, I had some visitors at about 2am. A raccoon came to camp looking for a bite and got into my food container. I got up and shooed him away, but not before he got a loaf of bread. I put the container in my vehicle and resumed trying to sleep.
Not even 15 minutes later, he was back for the cooler. I didn’t have the presence of mind to get one with a latch, and sure enough, the next thing I know, I’m putting that away and thinking I could forget about breakfast; the fuzzy bastard had eaten the eggs I had packed.
I got up at 7, and started to break camp, a task made slightly easier because I had already put up half my stuff.
And so I here I sit, drinking a cup of coffee at Mickey D’s before heading back home.
It was a fun time, and I learned a few things for next time. Hopefully my brother or one of my friends can join me next time.
I’ll just be sure to get a cooler with latches this time…and some flip flops.
-ES
Camping Journal #6 – Lights Out
July 14, 2012, just past midnight, in the tent
-sleepy-
It’s time for bed now, and I think that my ‘beta test’ was a success. Except for a slight sunburn, everything went well.
I don’t know how well the tent will be able to withstand Oklacon, but for South Texas, it seems to do just fine.
Mostly everything was able to fit into the Excelsior without dropping the back seats, and I can leave the table at home next time.
I might need to get a bigger ice chest, but other than that I think I’m ready to go for a 2-night stay.
I’ll just have to remember to get some flip-flops.
-ES
Camping Journal #5 – Rain, Rain, Make Up Your Mind, Already!
July 13, 2012, 708pm, at camp
-perturbed-
About an hour and a half ago, the sky went grey, the wind picked up, the animals went silent…and nothing.
I had planned on going for another swim but instead, I battened down the hatches, put everything in my tent or in my vehicle, and waited for the skies to open up and unleash a torrent of water.
Nothing.
I’m not 100% certain that the threat is over, so I’m on a hair trigger, ready to dash into my tent and zip up the windows at the first sign of water.
Maybe going camping on Friday the 13th wasn’t the best idea in the world.
-ES
Camping Journal #4: Their Turf
You can’t see me!
July 13, 2012, sometime before 5, at camp
-a little tired-
I should have bought a pair of flip-flops, because walking in or near the river was murder on my bare feet. I eventually put my tennis shoes on, and while that did make things easier, I now get to schlep my soggy shoes everywhere now.
As much as I’d like to take a nap, there is no breeze right now, and that means the inside of the tent is actually hotter than sitting on the picnic table.
I’ve seen a few animals today; two deer while driving back from the river, and a few lizards scurrying about the campsite upon my return. One lizard was perfectly camouflaged, I did a double-take when I realized I was looking at one that was masquerading as part of a tree. I then went for my camera and got a few shots before it scurried away.
The hustle and bustle of the city has been replaced by a cacophony of creatures. Birds, chicadas, and an army of flying bugs are constantly providing a steady stream of sound.
Its unnerving on a certain level, I find myself occasionally turning to find the source of some sound or noise. Sometimes there is something there, often, there isn’t, but I think its the thought that I am infringing on their domain instead of the other way around.
Like it or not, I’m on their turf.
-ES
Camping Journal #3: Base Camped
Just like the picture on the box!
July 13, 2012, 110pm, Guadalupe State Park, Site #34
-content-
I woke up at 8, showered, packed my food, bought ice and hit the road. I stopped to gas up the Excelsior, grabbed some breakfast at Whataburger, and headed up 281 for Guadalupe State Park.
Going up 281, you really get to see a few hills, unlike I-35 to Austin. It was an uneventful drive, the park was easy to find and only a half hour’s trip from San Antonio. I paid the fee, got to my spot and set things up.
As a side note, the employees at the office were all women, as if I needed another reason to go camping.
The tent gave me a bit of trouble, mainly because I’ve never put up a ‘modern’ one, my experience was limited to the six-man Hillary tent my folks got from Sears many years ago. Its made of canvas, held up with aluminum poles and held down with railroad spikes.
They sure as hell don’t make them like that anymore.
This is my first time here, and I have to say that it is pretty nice. Each site has a table, a hook to hang your lantern from, a fire pit, and a designated spot for your tent.
The only downside I’ve found so far is that my spot would seem to be pretty far away from an easily accessible spot on the river for swimming. I took a hike to see the river and found myself on a ledge about 15 feet up overlooking it. Rats. I figured I’d follow the river until I found an area where I could get to the river itself.
An hour later, I found myself back at camp with sore feet and no closer to finding water. I had lunch and am about to hop into the Excelsior to see if I can find the ‘swimming hole.’
Camping Journal #2: Just One More Thing?
I haven’t even gotten there yet!
July 13, 2012, 937am, at Whataburger
-pensive-
As I eat breakfast before heading out, I keep wondering if I’ve forgotten anything. Yeah, I made a list, I’ve done this before (though not by myself) and I’m stopping at HEB up the road to get one or two last things, but the thought of “I forgot something” keeps popping in my head. I guess its only natural, and I’ll find out soon enough!
-ES
Eduardo Soliz 