Starting a camfire is an art really. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who start campfires with newspaper, gasoline and even hairspray. They are wrong in doing this for a couple reasons. First, and in most cases, these methods don't work. I have watched folks dump at least a quart of fuel just to be left with a smoldering mess, especially when the wood is damp or wet. Secondly, they miss the pure joy of a primal camp activity. They don't know the pleasure of gathering minute twigs and tinder, then the accumulation of different sizes and stages of wood to be methodically fed to flame as it matures and begins to come alive. The gentle breath on the small flame, just enough to coax it a little before adding more wood. Indeed, one can get a roaring fire in no time with only a match and this proper planning, as evidenced in this attached picture. This fire was constructed by Tbone and Jeremy - I added some tinder too. It was planned perfectly with stages of wood gradually getting larger and larger. It was fun to watch one little match ignite tinder and spread faster and faster, kissing larger pieces of wood and finally erupting into a large campire. After the large flame burnt down into glowing coals, it was perfect for Jeremy to cook his corn on the cob among other delightful vegetables. That's fun. Little projects in camp make you feel like a kid again. Tbone was the mastermind and main builder of this fire and I enjoyed watching him construct it. I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that Tbone was completely stress free during this project. Thank you Tbone for not cheapening a wonderful outdoor experience for not only us but especially for yourself!!!
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2 comments:
It's true that being at camp makes you feel like a kid again.
Thank you my captain. You flatter me so. But in truth it was a labor of love. I as you put it was stress free. And it was the nature of the task at hand that had the Zen-like effect on me. I too concur that it is the essence of camp and in this instance camp fire which brings forth happiness. No accelerant would have made the project more fun and in fact would have made it fast but no joy. I look forward to many such fires again this spring.
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