Morning Sounds in Camp-Roar/Vroom

Hello to all,

We love to camp/backpack/hike. We love to just get out there whenever we can, even if it means car camp. Not our favorite but it beats being stuck in the city.

This particular weekend we left late on Friday and headed to one of few excellent car camping destinations outside St. Louis (Silver Mines) only to find it closed for the season. Not to be deterred we said, "We passed the St. Joe campgrounds. Let's go there. Never been there. New place to explore." And we did just that. It was very dark by the time we got there. The teenage night clerk gave us a strange look. We're used to that and didn't pay much attention.

See the campsite. Not too bad. We had to set up the tent on the prescribed gravel site. There are trees (its November so they don't have leaves), squirrels and such. That's Mary enjoying a read and hot cup of coffee and Mica, our faithful hiking/backpacking dog checking out the area. Looks pretty peaceful doesn't it. Wrong! Oh so absolutely wrong! 

<> That morning it wasn't the cheery chirping of birds, chattering of squirrels, soft wind rustling dry leaves or the Mica barking that woke us up. It was the roar and vroom of a dozen small cc engines.

That site is in the center of an ATV dirt track. By the time we got out of the tent dirt bikes, 4 wheelers and the like were racing around us. Along with the smell of roasted coffee beans, simmering oatmeal, and dirt there was the noxious odor of exhaust wafting through the trees.

Live and learn. I bought a patch to commemorate our adventure. The teenage clerk at the store (yep, another one - no adults there I guess) gave me another strange look. The patch depicted an 4-Wheel ATV leaping out of a stand of green trees.

Is there a lesson to learn here? Never car camp? No, that can be fun. Always ask if you see multiple trailers parked near the office? Yep, that's it.

Namaste, Wayne