Going to Camp

So...I am going to A-Camp. On Wednesday, I'll be flying to LA to frolic on a mountain top with a bunch of queer folk. This sounds like fun, right? Yeah, it does but that doesn't mean that I haven't found plenty of reasons to be nervous. I will list those reasons for you now so that we can all enjoy the warm glow as I stoke my anxiety like a well-built campfire:

1) I am old. I am 43 and have gray hair and "laugh lines" and my boobs are not quite where they used to be. Despite my youthful spirit, I cannot pass for youthful.

2) I have grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle which includes ice for cocktails.

3) I don't have the right shoes and I spent all of today trying to find a pair of hiking shoes that I liked but they ALL looked like they were made for lesbians from the 1970's. I may be old but I still have standards and I don't own a fanny pack.

4) Though I used to be outdoorsy, I am more outdoorsy-adjacent these days.

To prove this last point, I will share a few conversations I've had recently.

Vikki: I need to buy a pair of hiking boots.

Luisa: Why?

Vikki: Because I am going to be leading a hike at A-Camp.

Luisa: BWAH HA HA HA!

She then suggested I wear her hiking boots because it would be a waste for me to buy a pair for one hike. I appreciated her laughter about as much as she appreciated me telling her that her boots are ugly.

Vikki: I need to buy a pair of hiking boots because I'm going to be leading a hike at A-Camp.

Kristin: BWAH HA HA HA! I'm sorry. I shouldn't laugh.

Vikki: I used to be outdoorsy!

Kristin: I know you did and you can be again!

Vikki: Luisa doesn't want me to buy boots.

Kristin: Maybe you should borrow mine.

At least, Kristin tried to control her laughter.

Vikki: So...I am going to lesbian camp.

Raquel: That sounds like so much fun!

Vikki: I'm kinda nervous though.

Raquel: Why?

Vikki: Well, I am leading a hike.

Raquel: BWAH HA HA HA!

Vikki: I USED TO BE OUTDOORSY!

Raquel: If you have to tell people that you used to be outdoorsy, you are no longer outdoorsy!

Whatever. I have pictures of me near tents and canoes.

Vikki: So I heard a rumor that there is no ice at A-Camp.

Deborah: What?! How will you have cocktails?

Vikki: I know, right?! What will I drink? I'm too old to drink warm beer. I think I'll have to pack red wine.

Deborah: Oh, you can't do that. You'll feel horrible drinking that.

Vikki: One young person suggested drinking vodka straight from a water bottle but I can't do that!

Deborah: No. No you can't.

Even outdoorsy people like ice! I did find out today that there is ice at A-Camp so at least I don't have to worry about that.

I am excited for the trip but I am nervous too. I am the shy retiring type and I'm heading to camp without a wing-woman. I'm sure I'll have a good time...I just hope I don't fall off the mountain or get eaten by a bear or drop melted marshmallow on my bare leg (that happened during one of my outdoorsy adventures and it hurt like crazy and, despite what my friends say, it was a very serious burn that may have left a scar. You know I'm gonna go look for the scar after I post this).

No matter what happens, I'm sure I'll have some stories to tell.

I'll be back on 9/17/12. Until then, enjoy your comfy beds and your ice and your wifi. I won't be needing any of those things.

Sincerely,

Your outdoorsy friend Vikki

p.s. I'll miss you all.

p.p.s. I'll miss Luisa and the kids the most, of course.

p.p.p.s. Who am I kidding? I'll miss my bed the most. My hip hurts when I sleep on a bad bed. #oldladyproblems

p.p.p.p.s. A Public Service Announcement: Kids - don't play rugby. Your knees and hips will hurt when you reach your 40's.

p.p.p.p.p.s. Okay...I'm really going now...farewell...remember me fondly...