Summer Time In The Mountains

I've spent many summers up in the mountains all over California. I was at Camp McCumber (near Shingletown) for 4-H camp (1 year) and YMCA camp (10 years). I went to Camp Sierra(near Shaver Lake,15 years), Camp Loma Mar (near Pescadero, 14 years) and afew other names I can't remember for RSI Youth Seminar. Plus all those camping trips with my family. In other words, I'm pretty used to time spent in the mountains during summer. For some reason or another, maybe that's part of my interest for moving to the mountains in the first place. I'm definitely sure my good times at Camp Loma Mar had me wanting to spend more time in the redwoods, there by leading me to move to Humboldt County. Anyway, all of this previous experience might have been for naught as I sit here completely amazed that it is July in the northern hemisphere and 51 degrees fahrenheit outside. I remember singing around the camp fire at YMCA camp and pretty happy to have a fire. I remember that shorts and a jacket were always a must to have, but somehow this slipped my mind as a permanent living situation. I've never lived anywhere that was 80 plus degrees during the day and 50 degrees at night and everyone keeps telling me what a mild summer we're having! I'm definitely glad I ordered the heating oil after all, seeing as how I don't have a fire place. Not that it's very safe to build fires around here during the summer. So far we've had two (minor for the rest of the world, major for us) forest fires and the fire season hasn't really even gotten underway yet.
Camp was great for me. As a kid camper and a camp counselor I could tell it wasn't something for everyone but I still think every kid should do it at least once in their life just to make sure. As for me, I couldn't get enough. The bad Food, staying up way too late, getting up way too early, the lame hikes, pesky mosquitos, trying to figure out how to get a hot shower, it was all some how worth it. I Loved the dumb songs, the cheesy arts and crafts, the lame pranks, the gossip, the people I've met (most good, some bad) and especially the stories I could tell for a life time.
Of course one thing has changed to ruin some of that, two words, American Pie. That movie ruined any future chance of ever telling a camp story ever again. I did play an instrument in school but I never went to band camp and, although nearly every time I have told a story, they didn't start with, "this one time at ____ camp", the movie still ruins it for me. If I am even reminded of anecdotal story while in the company of others, I end up hearing that voice in my head and stop myself. Nobody wants to be compared to a "band geek". By the way, if the origins of the word "geek" was the guy who bites heads off of live chickens, would a "band geek" be some one like Ozzy Ozborn?
Life in the mountains at camp or camping was always a time to get away from things and just relax. You had plenty of time to worry about the things you left behind when you got back at the end of the week. Now that I've chosen to move to the mountains, what does that say about how I feel about my life? Maybe nothing. Could just be a coincidence.
Here is a "poem" I wrote during RSI Winter '98 Camp during quiet time. I use the term poem lightly because before this poem it seemed as though the free verse form of writing poetry was really just an excuse for bad grammar and punctuation. I still like it though. Probably because it's one of my own.

Winter

The gathering of the year

not to miss

and yet, I wasn't invited

I never am although

I try to ask

They're unsettled by the fact that

I left them

and lost touch

We had a falling out

when they found out

I was leaving and trying to take

only afew of them with me

not a mutiny

more of a "separation of powers"

but they all wanted to go.

When they stick together

they're stronger than me.

I know that now.

That's why they've all disappeared.

I'm empty without them.

Now, I'm on the outside

trying desperately to look in

but it's too dim in there

I can't tell who's who anymore...

I close my eyes and for a moment

I remember what it was like to be with them

surrounded and moved

Fearlovehatejoyblissjudgementcalmcenteredknowingness

powerfulmovingdepressedabyss

ahhhh yes

I remember why I left them

Peering back in

the gathering is over

and the room is left as empty and silent as my soul

Suddenly, I heard a stirring noise in the darkness.

There, by the streetlight, was one of them.

I think it was Love,

I couldn't tell exactly

too far away...

too misty...

but still, I could feel it look straight at me

and calmly tip its hat "good night"

before disappearing into the ally

Oh well, maybe next year.