Senses

Camping is an experience that completely plays upon all the senses. Between the sensual fragrance of smoke from the camp fire and the perfume fragrance of pine trees mixed with dinner smells and moldering leaves, the unique blend is almost intoxicating. The smells alone can leave a person dizzy from all the variety. Crisp air and wafting scents of flowers on the breeze being intermingled with the leather of your boots and morning coffee is memorable to say the least.

Add the sense of sight to the multitude of perfume fragrance sensations and you add a sense of color and shadow to the flavor of your food. Sunrise is a visual haven. It starts with everything being dim and slightly indiscernible, but as it moves further and further up in the sky, details suddenly start to appear and objects take on new vibrancy.

There is a sense that can halt all of these powerful smells and sights in one fell swoop. It's the sense of touch. Sleeping bags and tents only go so far when defending against the sharp edge of rocks that dig into the back at night. If you have the unpleasant opportunity to run into poison ivy or perhaps be bitten by a tick, there is a disconcerting remnant of itching, bruising, or pinching that distracts from everything else. Granted, the sense of touch can amplify as much as detract. The smooth feel of a rock after feeling the textured bark of a tree can add to the sensual fragrance of pine while watching the sunrise with a nice hot cup of coffee warming you up. There's definitely a plethora of material for the senses when camping. Well worth it.