Spring Has Sprung...

...and it's time for the annual visit to Jobu-Land for the Legion of Doom's Mountain Madness.

Some time in the middle of next week, some where between 15 and 20 of my closest friends will join me in the woods of the Northeast Georgia mountains for 3 or 4 days of fellowship, fun, and fishing. Sons, sons-in-law, friends, friends of friends, relatives of friends of friends, and total strangers will camp together for what seems to be fated to be a soggy weekend.

About 25 years ago, my buddy Ted invited me to go trout fishing with him. We climbed into his truck, and headed toward the place where we now make our springtime pilgrimage. Once there, we met some of his friends, who became known as "The Wild Bunch". No one knows what has become of them, but Ted and I still fish in the same place.

One offshoot of this first trip was an urge to camp and fish. Over the years, we've learned to stay dry in downpours, warm in frigid weather, and to sweat when it's hot. The constant seems to be that each trip has increased the sophistication of our equipment, and the time required to set up and take down camp. When we arrive next week, we'll set up a gourmet outdoor kitchen under a 12x24 tarp, pitch tents, unload cords of firewood, and generally unwind.

The growth of my sons into young men, and their inclusion in some of our camping expeditions, instilled in them a desire to camp on their own. Young men being what they are, this soon gave birth to the Legion of Doom. These intrepid young men have surpassed Ted and I as professional campers. Their living accommodations include pop-up and hard sided camping trailers, and a collapsible bar, while Ted and I still use our tents.

Another area where we have been eclipsed is the building of campfires. The Legion are professional pyromaniacs. Some of their "stupid campfire tricks" are the things of legend.

Today I'll be going through the trailer, ensuring that the equipment is in order, and repairing and stowing enough equipment for a company of Marines.

Rest assured, when we camp, we do not rough it.

As someone once said, "I think I've fallen among thieves, thank the Lord."

I'm really looking forward to the weekend with old friends.

Stay well.