Cold Hands, Warm Heart?

No, it's actually more like cold back, warm front. 

The winter of 2012 was almost non-existent in Central Illinois.  A handful of days below freezing and a couple relatively insignificant snowfalls that lasted long enough to get a few photos if you all ready had your camera out of the case.  For those of us who enjoy winter, the best we could do was open the refrigerator door for a few extra moments.  But somehow that just isn't the same.

However, there was one weekend that cooperated and like moths drawn to light, the winter camping crew hightailed it into the woods.  Here are a few photos of the annual adventure.

Camaraderie is a major reason these folks grab their -20 sleeping bags, some grub and show up year after year.  Sometime during the fall when those delightful cool, colorful days are upon us, I inevitably hear someone say, "It won't be long now until we can go camping".

The food absolutely is critical.  What tastes good any other occasion seems to have double flavor.

Venison steaks are a staple.  Brats made their debut this year.

Another new dish.  Taco pie.  Don hit a home run with this one!  

(Maybe I should thank Leann?)

 

 I can't tell for sure what else is cooking here but I do remember some really, really good beans.

Back to back home runs actually.  Good job Doug (Karena).  

 

The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter, and is about as ample at one season as at another.  It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness.

 ~Henry David Thoreau

 

 Looks like it might be close to bedtime!

We don't normally sleep in the back of a pickup.  But, since Bruce & Emily had to leave at 5 AM, it seemed a good option.  Did Bruce get the truck warmed up before you exited the bag Emily?

It's a bit late to post these photo perhaps but since I got no photos this year, I had to go begging in order to tell the story.  Thanks for sharing your shots Bruce!