Yeah, you're going to want to go on that trip.

I think there's something exciting and stimulating about being alone with your lover, out in the middle of nature. Soon the sounds and smells that bothered you become comforting. You feel raw. Earthy. Animalistic. Just give in to the passion. Roll around in the dirt. Let yourself go baby.

I say, f*ck somebody in nature today, if you get a chance.

Spot on as always Amy. LW will be kicking himself if he doesn't go. You're being invited for your trial membership/presentation for Club Girlfriend. You will be hard pressed to have this many of her friends in this relaxed an atmosphere again. Plus, maybe she just wants to share the fun with you.

Amy: Your "mentally ill" friend is right: once you get above 2 people on a camping trip, it's now become Spring Break with Smoky the Bear. I'm glad the weather is perking up because I've got a 6-man tent, a trunk full of gear and a stash of booze that are calling my name.

Tim: Come on along, we like how you think.

I can see arguments for going, and arguments for staying home, but the one thing I wouldn't worry about is the ex-boyfriend. In my experience, exes are ex for a reason. If all he has to do to get her back is be part of a crowd of 20 that she's in, you're doomed anyway.

Now, if there are going to be single guys there that she doesn't already know, that's something to worry about.

It's funny how camping is such a cultural thing.

They were interviewing Toni Braxton the other day and she was talking about how for the first time in her life she was dating a white guy. She stood there for a moment thinking "Yeah he does that thing....you know that thing. I dont get it but he wants me to try it".

The interviewer was like "The thing?"

"Yeah out in the river. The thing. I can't think of the word."

"Oh camping"

Cracked me the hell up.

I second bellflower's assessment of the medium-to-large group camping experience. Those "camping lite" things are really the only kind of camping that I've done as an adult. Also, I fully intend to borrow the phrase "Spring Break with Smoky the Bear" for future use!

Have to admit I'm with the LW... my idea of roughing it is sitting out on the deck with a laptop and a blender for the margueritas.

I'll go "camping" as long as the cabin has ac/heat, a kitchenette, and hot water. That counts, right?

My pirate girl is hammering me for a camping trip to the Gold Country, elevation 5,000', and all we're waiting for is a 3-day weekend. I'm game-- I do something similar with my Civil War pards... sort of like "Homeless with guns."
My girl will agree, spending time in the Greatness of the Outdoors together is a real test of a relationship-- a test that another of her gal-pals failed miserably-- and SHE actually lives in the Gold Country!
As for LW-- he should demand this trip be an intimate one, not Spring-Break-with-Smoky.

My idea of camping is waiting for our room to be ready in the lobby of a hotel with exposed wood.
A friend of mine says that his idea of camping is staying in a hotel with less than 3 stars.

Me? I love it. Plan for a week, bring enough food for three days, catch the rest, cook it over a campfire. It's exhilarating.

Havent been camping in years. I would just take a couple pounds of butter and bacon to cook the fish in, plus the fishing pole

Well, with a family it helps to consider that the daily charge for a campsite at a state park is a lot less than even a two-star hotel. And it really gives your eight-year-old an ego boost when he can stroll over to the next campsite and show a bunch of sophomores on Spring Break how to set up a tent.

Other reasons the LW should go:
He is being shown off to the ex, as yep I'm over you I'm with city boy.
I see it less likely she will hook up with ex, more likely doesn't want to be there alone while the ex might be there with someone new.

Yes, you're definitely being vetted. I'm sorry for you. Camping violates my rule on never sleeping in a place where the distance of an outlet for my curling iron exceeds the length of the cord.

Amy, you're a girl after my own heart. My idea of 'camping' is a hotel that doesn't provide room service. Yet, my husband loves camping so I go with him once a year... for two nights... and it includes cocktails at the lodge after any hike. I can do that much to make him happy.

Thank you Bellflower. :)

Hey guys/gals. Is it wrong that when Amy wrote...

"My idea of camping is waiting for our room to be ready in the lobby of a hotel with exposed wood."

.... and I saw the words "exposed wood" -- Interior Finishes were the farthest thing from my mind?

My God, a woman just uses a phrase that remotely resembles a penis and my mind goes to sex. Maybe my bitter, angry, heavy drinking grandmother was right. We (men) really are all perverts.

Now I want to get 20 friends together and go camping...AND I HATE CAMPING! :)

Well, I love that you love it Amy. You perv. Heh.

Hey everyone, I heard WallaWallaWanda is having a camping orgy with 20 people!

A co-worker has a bunch of friends and they take a four-five camping trip every year down the Allegheny river.

It consists of about a half-day of canoeing down to an island. Then they set up the camp. Every canoe has at least two cases of beer, if not more, a bunch of food that is relatively stable for a bunch of days and tents and stuff.

The next couple of days is some fishing, drinking a bunch of beer, and BS'ing about how things are going. The last day is cleaning up and packing. another half day of canoeing and then getting back to their cars.

About the only thing camping about it is that they are sleeping in tents and cooking on a wood fire. No real hiking or anything else.

I'd like to go sometime, but I'm getting to be on the older side of the crowd.

So LW -- get the general agenda. It will probably be something like that and you can stand it for two-three days. Hell you might find that you even enjoy it.

My favorite hiking safety tip? Avoid hiking.

HaHa...good one Amy!

For me, it's not essential that a woman like camping but it is essential that she like hiking. I just wouldn't be interested in a woman who had no interest in hiking in the Cascades and gazing in awe at the beauty and grandeur of the mountains. Fortunately, here in Seattle, it's very easy to find women who like hiking.

Amy and the other lovely ladies who dislike camping, let me ask a question. Forget about sleeping/eating/pooping outside. What about romantic interludes in nature?

Let's say I'm your partner. We are alone, in the middle of a beautiful natural setting. A park. A lake. The old woods behind your house. Surrounded by green grass, lush plants and huge trees. The sun is near setting and there's a warm glow on the horizon. A gentle wind is blowing and rustling the leaves. Smells of sweet flowers in bloom. Birds are softly singing. Crickets are chirping off in the distance. Sshhh... stop and listen... no cell phones or computers.... sshhhh.... just listen and hold my hand... no-one else is around... man and woman and nature... the thought of being naked, OUTSIDE, feels raw and unihibited and naughty... and...

Anything?

*uninhibited*

I forgot to mention -- in my little scenario -- If you absolutely refuse to get funky in nature, my dear, there's a log cabin nearby. Inside a handmade bed with tree limbs curved for a headboard and thick trunks as feet invites you to lay down and get comfortable. It's dressed with old fashioned quilts, pillows and lace trim. It's a perfect blend of hard and soft. Man and woman.

There's also wine there.

And the interior of the cabin... is all EXPOSED WOOD.

:P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibVMaddeCEQ

Hahahaaa.. I do believe I have swept myself off my feet. All these years, I finally figured out what I'm looking for. ME.

Not Tim, this is YOU!

http://youtu.be/GVyDovLA2vw

LOL awesome. I had to switch to my PC so I could use the surround system and crank it up.

Thank you kamwick.

Watched it 3 times. It's my new favorite video.

Sorta reminds me when I first saw/heard "Show me your genitals" by Jon Lajoie. It was more offensive and wrong on every level, but hilarious to the point of being an instant classic.

Good stuff.

Warning: Lyrics in this song are NOT safe for work. Check your volume level. ;)

Remember this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aZPmlLKbA8

Even after 5 years it's still funny.

No offense ladies. All in good humor.