I know this is a long post, but it is my favorite memory of my recent camping trip to Tennessee.
One of my best buddies, Jim, and I headed off to Tennessee on the Fourth of July weekend to take a much needed vacation. We had the SUV packed to the hilt with all kinds of camping gear including things you would not have thought would be necessary for camping, the disco ball being one of the luxury items, but in my mind a necessity. We had a great 14 hour drive out to the campgrounds and immediately set up our camp complete with a huge white tent awning. The disco ball was the last item to be placed, making our campsite complete.
As the weekend progressed, Jim and I met some of the most wonderful people at the campgrounds. We were able to share stories with others as well as have drinks and goof off around the pool. It was truly turning into a magical weekend. One of the guys we met, Jamie, ended up moving his tent to just across the way from ours so he could hang out more with us.
On Sunday night, our fourth and final night at the camp, we decided to have a nice campfire next to our tent and make Smores. Jamie and I went to town and picked up the needed supplies including some awesome toasted coconut marshmallows. Jim, Jamie, and I were actually able to get a proper fire started on the first try. That night began with just a small gathering of people we had met over the weekend. A very nice guy named Brian came by the tent site and wondered allowed how we needed a spot light on our disco mirror ball. He then had me run out to his car with him. Low and behold, there in the trunk of his car were more light supplies than Clark Griswald had on Christmas vacation. He pulls out this small battery powered spot flashlight that has a clip on it. Perfect for the disco ball. Once back at the camp site he installs the light and bingo, we have light reflecting in all directions through the top of the tent awning.
I think those lights from the disco ball became a beacon to all the people we had met over the weekend. Over the next half hour or so people started coming by the campfire and asking if they could sit down for a spell and hang out with us. As Jim put it best, it was like a season finale of a TV show where all the special guest from throughout the year make a cameo appearance on the final night, we had all the great people we met that weekend coming by and spending time with us by our camp fire.
Jim put his Donna Summer “best of” CD on the player, the disco ball kept flashing its lights and the evening transformed into something very special.
We heard stories of past camping experiences both at Timberfell and when guys were much younger. We heard stories of funny moments from the current weekend.
We then started telling ghost stories, but not just regular old ghost stories. These were stories of experiences people have had with paranormal beings. There were stories of images of a man in a mirror, spirits that checked on loved ones from beyond and ghosts who were not so friendly to those around. The stories continued and continued until any creak or crack in the woods around us made us wonder if spirits were around us at that time enjoying the warmth of our campfire and the comradery of these fine men..
The fire slowly turned to embers and people made their way back to their camp sites, very much like how we had to leave the campgrounds and go our own separate ways the next day. But the camp fire with Donna Summer and the ghost stories will always provide a bond for those that were there, it was a very special night.
Thanks guys for making it such a special weekend for me
Me and my new wig.
