Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Shivers While Camping

Camping with the shivers during a rain storm, is not for the weak and untested. I was with my adult son, after fishing in the hot sun on a beautiful mountain lake, at 5,400 ft, we built a small fire and were sleeping on our cots. Bringing only summer sleeping bags we were comfortable and able to enjoy the cool of night. Some clouds rolled in, and it started raining. My son kept saying that he saw lightening,
I said; “nah, it is just car lights coming up the mountain. Soon the temperature dropped and I pulled the bag as tight as I could around my head. My son flicked a huge bug off his hand and it landed on my face.!!!
About midnight, it started to sprinkle, it really started to rain. I realized that I was in an undersized sleeping bag and my head was getting very wet and cold. As per chance, I commenced to get the kind of shivers that loosen your teeth, the kind of shaking that would move a small city.
Then it dawned on me, that I had drunk too much and now at my age, I had about 2 minutes to drain my bladder or I would go in my sleeping bag! I threw open my bag, my teeth were chattering, I was shaking so bad I could not talk, I was in my birthday suit, cept for the under wear, I stepped away from the camp, making a commotion, because of not having on shoes = pine needles, rock, etc.
I commenced to drain my bladder but because I was convulsing to the tune of the thunder, my son is laughing so loud, lightening just giving enough light to make things out; and I am standing there trying not to pee on my self!! Everything kept moving and I finally lost a handle on things and realized now I had to rinse off before I got in the truck!!!
I found the keys, did I tell you it was a cold rain. My son is laughing, I am spastic in my near naked condition, I trip over the tongue on the boat, hurt my shin,cripes. And he is laughing. I finally get in the truck start the engine, and begin a hour of warm up. So I slept in the truck.
It was a great time, bugs, shivers, fish, junk food, snow capped mountains. I went in the lake to cool off, the water was so cold I nearly got to stiff to get out! But all in all, I went, I swam, I fished, I ate I shivered and I thank creator for my many blessings.
I love it here, thanks for reading.

Lon

ROTFL! I've had some great camping experiences, but I never had to stand out in the cold rain ro relieve myself. That's something your son will never forget, or let you forget!

Hey, it was a great time.
But I do get a bit scared when I am not in control
shivers reduce me to a mass of shaking flesh. I have worn my teeth down through the years, must be from that??

It was fun to be with him.
thanks

Thank you brother Lon for your powerful reaffirmation to my comitment to never again do that camping sort of thing. I love the panoramic view you painted of the 5400 thousand feet in all its glory but the convulsing, wounded bare feet and .... absence of ... well pretty much everythings else reminds me that I am a city boy and one with AS who will pass on the joys (???) of camping

Glad to see that you are still far more courageous than I and enjoying it.

Steve,
I am not sure if it is courage or just too stubborn to lie down. I must say it is a break from the routine!
As they say shivers-don't lie...

Gee, you just reminded me of how much I missed camping. Of course, we went camping in a 21' moterhome. We slept in a comfortable queen sized bed, had our own bathroom with a walk in shower and I could make a pot of coffee in no time or pull out an ice cold soda or beer from the fridge. It had AC and forced air heat.

never a dull moment!

thanks for sharing your stories in your typical humorous way

when i was in high school, i was in a scout troop and we went backpacking quite often. once, on a trip along the appalachian trail, one of our leaders twisted her ankle and could not drive back. while waiting for someone else to drive to get us, it started raining and raining. parts of the area had to be evacuated due to potential flash flood warnings. we had tents, tarps, propane stoves, etc, but it was raining so hard, it was hard to cook much.

the one thing i remember through all of this is one of the girls, always trying to look on the bright side, said, "well at least we have plenty of water!"

camping and backpacking was always a lot of fun. not usually that much adventure, but fun, always. and the worst the conditions, the better the stories afterwards.

Lon, I love your stories. I love the view of Creation you painted. And I truly love 'camping', like Donna's style. "Roughing it" for me is defined as Motel 6. LOL.

Sounds like a wonderful time, especially for your son. Thanks for sharing.

OH My Thanks for the good laugh . If only we had this on film.......
Giggles, Yoly

Oh Lon...
What I wouldn't give to have witnessed this one.. I am sure that your son is still laughing. There have been some folks that claim we couldn't have felt that earthquake the other day.. I believe I have found an alternative answer to what was causing the shaking around here...

Love ya Brother