Camping - Then and Now

When Mark and I were dating and engaged, we used to go camping almost every weekend with friends. We would get everything ready to go on Thursday night and set it at the front door. On Friday, after work, we would just load up the truck and head out for the mountains in southeast New Mexico.
We hadn't gone camping together in a long time, but a few weeks ago we decided to go up to Big Lake and camp for two nights. We had a great time fishing, hiking, getting a fire going, waking up at 3 a.m. to thunderstorms with a lot of lightning, thunder and rain pounding on the roof of our pop-up camper...

Just like old times, except for a few minor details.

These pictures will show you what I mean:

Mark & our tent in 1979

Me & our pop-up 2008

Mark fishing then and now: Camp cooking...... You get the idea!

More

City Island, New York

City Island is a small island located in Long Island Sound. It is the place I lived from 1963 till I went in the Army in 1976. That means, from age 10 to 23.

The island is 1.5 miles long and .5 miles wide. Almost 5 thousand people live there.

It was originally inhabited by the Siwanoy Indians and was first established as an English settlement in 1685.

City Island became an important ship building and yachting center in the 18th century. Several of the sloops that won the America's Cup were built on City Island. The Island is still home to yacht clubs, sail makers, sailing schools and marinas.The Island is also known for its numerous seafood restaurants.

Growing up here was great! At the ends of the side streets are small private beaches. I would walk to the beach almost every day in the summer and spend hours swimming with my friends, and sitting in the sand with my transistor radio at my side.

Here are pictures from our recent visit to City Island where my parents and one of my brothers still live.

To read more about City Island, click on 'City Island' under my Favorite Links.