Like my DW said, we only go out camping a few times a year but I am working on getting her & DD out more. I do spend a lot of time hiking and canoeing without the family though. I get pretty cranky if I can't get out into the woods at least every other week.

The areas where I hike give me a lot of practice in wilderness survival skills. Dangers include poisonous snakes, feral pigs, wild dogs, quicksand, floods, meth labs, poachers, and abandoned oil wells. However, I rarely go alone, I let Kuovonne know when I'll be back, I'm a trained "First Responder" and carry a large 1st aid kit, I usually carry too many knives (SAK, Leatherman Wave, Mora, and a 6" kukri) and too much water. I also carry a cell phone, a large bamboo hiking staff, several different ways to start a fire, rope, a lightweight hammock, gps unit, three compasses, and a topo map of the area. Meanwhile my hiking buddy *might* have some water. He lost the knife I gave him within a week. He sees how much I bring and always says he'll start doing the same, but he never does.

While out there I practice identifying (and eating!) edible plants, stalking animals (except the pigs), experimenting with different clothing and gear, and building fires. At some point I'll pitch the hammock and spend an hour listening to the birds. This isn't camping, but it is getting out into the wilderness and it helps hone my skills and recharge my batteries. Plus, the more I learn and practice the easier it is to keep DW happy in the woods. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

-Blast