What Would a Hobbit Do?
Campsites are like rows of motel rooms with the doors left wide open. Once I ride my bike up and down the park roads – that remind me of motel hallways – and see what my neighbors look like (mostly elderly retirees), I feel much less self-conscious about camping alone.
After my ride, I hitch my bike to the back of the truck and imagine for a second that it’s a horse and that I’m living in a less modern time. Stretched out on my lawn chair in my own wooded lot, I listen to the rustle of wind through the trees and the birds evening song.
But it’s getting dark, and I have no citronella. The mosquitoes drive me inside the camper. As I pull up my mat, draw the blinds, and lock myself in, I begin to feel very much like a hobbit. The un-popped-up camper is cozy, and because I’m just an inch over 5 foot tall, I can stand up (with just a slight stoop). Everything I need – lights, fridge, stove, books, a closet full of clothes and supplies – is right within my reach.
I remember as children how my friends and I always played at making forts – in the woods, on the beach, or in the nooks and crannies of the granite boulder seawall behind our houses. “I finally have my fort,” I said out loud to myself. Then, I pondered what to do next. Not because I was at a loss for what to do, but because there were so many choices.
I didn’t pop-up the camper. I didn’t plug in my new little TV/VCR (or even my laptop computer). Instead, I asked myself, “What would a hobbit do?”
I fixed myself a late night snack (known to a hobbit as a second supper).
July 17th, 2005 10:30 am
You want to know what a Hobbit would do?
Give me a ring and I’ll tell you.
Michele sent me!
July 17th, 2005 10:38 am
Hi Col,
I can still recall building forts with you and the kids in the backyard area of our childhood home…bamboo forts. I don’t really think it was bamboo though. The Boston Globe wrote a piece recently about the stuff:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/07/12/these_weeds_wont_be_uprooted
Kathy
July 17th, 2005 10:40 am
What a wonderful post… Thanks for the comment on my blog – very much appreciated…
Minerva
July 17th, 2005 10:58 am
I love the image of Colleen as Hobbit, even while I’m pea green with envy of your solitary journey.
July 17th, 2005 11:21 am
Sounds delicious. I’ve done solo excursions and camping but not both together. Mary and I camped out in Truro years ago, in the capped cargo bed of her Ranger. Not much room to move around, but simply magical.
July 17th, 2005 12:22 pm
After second supper a hobbit would smoke his pipe and blow smoke rings. Michelle sent me.
July 17th, 2005 5:44 pm
Doing what you’re doing has been one of my life-long dreams. I got the idea from the book, “Travels With Charlie.” I’d recommend it. Thanks for the inspiration.
July 18th, 2005 7:44 am
Colleen, I’d never fit into your camper – I’m 5’10”, but it sounds like fun. I am a mosquito magnet and so when the evening light fades, and they come out to dine, I have to go in the house or I immediately look like I have hives! Even citronella isn’t much help.
July 18th, 2005 11:57 am
But when I pop the thing up even Joe, my 6 foot husband, can stand up in it.
July 18th, 2005 6:58 pm
travels with charlie is one of my favorite steinbeck books. now it’ll be travels with dingle the irish fantasyland bear. he’s your Wilson ala tom hanks in castaway. my times up gotta go work on my own writing. big kiss to you
July 19th, 2005 9:40 am
A friend of mine loves to partake of all the hobbit meals. His favorite is second breakfast.