Tuesday, 5 October 2004
The Magic of Campfires
« Question for Kerry | Main | Cheney vs Edwards »This last weekend, my wife and I attended the fifth annual Fire in the Fieldparty. Fire is an party held at a friends farm down in Larue county Kentucky. Every year a group of friends gather at thefarm to enjoy a number of festivities. In the day hours the guys shoot guns while the ladies carve pumpkins. Once the guns are put away, we start the cookout and drinking. At dusk the drinking continues as we light a monstrous bonfire that sets the sky ablaze and the warms the blood (Or was the warmth from the alcohol? I would be willing to bet a bit of both). The whole event is a wonderful spectacle that I look forward to every year. Even with a full day of fun activities, it is the bonfire which makes the event special for me.
I don't know what it is about campfires, but they are my favorite part ofthe camping experience. Maybe it is the distance from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? It could be the shelter the fire's light provides from the loneliness and vulnerability of the dark. Or maybe it is the companionship of sitting around the fire chatting about anything and everything with friends? Or it could be the serenity provided by the fire's hypnotic dance? Or does the pleasure come from remembering child hood experiences of camping? I would be willing to bet it is a combination of these reasons. Regardless, the campfire provides a magical moment of peace for me that is found in few other places.
