Camping

Experience teaches us. We think we know everything but much of that "knowledge" is based on false assumptions. Only when we actually do something do we realize whether our beliefs about an activity are true or not. And many activities (like motorcycling) have unexpected delights. (For me, motorcycling pleases the senses and rewards practice as you develop increasing mastery over a difficult task.)

I started camping this year for the first time since I was a kid. It's turned out much better than I expected. I find deep appeal in the calm that descends soon after you pitch your tent and listen to the quiet sounds of nature. We don't realize how noisy and jarring modern life is until you take away the sources of that. The peace of a campsite is remarkable.

In addition, camping is cheap. When I grab a hotel-room on the road, it's always over $100 and sometimes twice that. A campsite is incredibly low-cost, often as little as $15-25. I paid only $23 per night in Watkins Glen.

Finally, camping inspires us to get closer to nature. I wouldn't have visited Watkins Glen if they didn't have a campground there and am so happy I did. The gorge and waterfalls are magnificent. I got to see -- and feel -- them: you can walk UNDER the waterfalls and put your hand out to touch cool falling water.

Since returning home, I've been filled with insatiable desire to camp again and on bigger scale. I've been researching and buying new camping gear for longer trips. And making better decisions on what to use. Experience taught me what meals I like to cook at a campsite, what equipment works best (and doesn't), what to bring and what to leave home. In short, my observations are honing how to camp with more success. I could never know that without actual experience guiding me.

Have you ever camped? Would you consider it? Imagine seeing this in person...