by Ruth J. Hartman

This summer, my husband and I will be traveling to see my sister. While many people are heading to Florida, South Carolina, or some other warm exotic location, we’re heading in a different direction. Literally.

Wyoming.

We’ve been there several times before, always having had a blast. Two years ago, I even got to cross an item off my bucket list when we drove four hours from my sister’s home to visit Mount Rushmore. What an incredible sight!

This visit, we’re doing something different. For part of our time with my sister and her husband, we’re driving an hour from their house to the Big Horn Mountains.

To camp.

When I was a kid, we camped every year in tents, and then my husband and I did the first few years after we got married, mostly because we didn’t have enough money for hotels. Honestly, I never thought I’d camp again. But my sister, who is an avid hunter and fisherman, loves it, and thinks we’ll love it too! I’m willing to give it a try. From pictures she’s sent, their campsite is in a gorgeous wooded area right next to a stream where they fly fish for rainbow trout. My husband is very excited about that part!

However, this camping trip will be a little different than others I’ve taken. There’ll be an outhouse, which I was used to, since our grandpa used one and that’s all he had when we visited. But, apparently, there aren’t any shower facilities.

At all.

Guess I was expecting the usual communal shower house that all the campers shared. Not that I ever loved that, but I was surprised when she told me this didn’t even have one of those.

Then, I realized that the parts of the trip that might be difficult for me (can you say, OCD?) will be small compared to what we’ll experience. Time in the quiet mountains, next to a stream. Wildlife. Cooler temperatures.  Making new memories. But most of all, time spent with my wonderful sister who I love more than I can say.

And that, is priceless.