Camping

Jim sat out in his camping chair, letting the serenity of the surrounding woods sink in as he sipped at his coffee. In the early morning it was easier to relax, as the birds were just waking up to sing their songs for the first time that day, and dew still rested on everything the eye could see. Supplies still sat in their containers, packed safely away in the provided bear box, except for the jetboil he had pulled out to make his coffee.

Around an hour passed before he heard shuffling coming from the tent behind him. A few minutes later, the zip of the fly opening and closing. "Morning," he called out. Melanie grunted in return. She was not much of a morning person. Jim had long since finished his coffee, and was content to lean back in his chair and watch the gentle sway of the trees in the breeze as his wife groggily started the jetboil to make her own beverage. A calmness fell once more in the brief time it took for the water to boil and her drink to prepare. Then the pouring, and the long and steady chugging of the first drink before she poured a second.

Finally she came beside him and took her own seat. "So," she said between sips, "what's the plan for today?" She leaned back in her chair and stared up at the sky as she tried not to fall back asleep before the caffeine kicked in.

"There's some trails around here, really nice views. Not too long or strenuous. Wouldn't want too late too long to get going on those, though. I imagine there will be quite a few people on the paths by midday."

Melanie groaned at the mention of people, which caused Jim to laugh. "I'd rather a oid people on this trip as much as possible," she said. "But I'm also far too tired to get going any time soon."

"I figured as much," Jim replied. "Which would also eliminate heading out to the lake and renting a boat, I assume." Melanie nodded in agreement, continuing to drink her coffee. "So we could take one of the tougher back trails that people would be less likely to be on."

"We did a big hike yesterday, and my legs need a rest," Melanie bemoaned. "Besides, you were the one who said the point of this trip was to relax. Doing such big activites everyday isn't exactly relaxing."

"Which pretty much leaves us with staying here in camp and doing just that. Relaxing."

They sat in silence for a while as Melanie continued to sip at her coffee, slowly beginning to feel it take effect, and Jim watched the birds fly amongst the trees. 

"Yeah, Melanie finally said. "That sounds nice."