The Pleasure of A Good Campfire

We camped a lot as a family. Dad was particularly fond of the campfire. We cooked fried potatoes with bacon on the bottom of the dutch oven, fresh fish and there was always a pot of coffee.

If my Uncle Tom Fausett was camping with us, Breakfast would be sourdough pancakes, eggs and bacon. Food always tasted better cooked on a campfire.

There isn't a better way to socialize than sitting around a warm campfire. Strangers became friends and there is always plenty of room and coffee to go around.

I can remember how fun it was to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, or poke the logs and see the sparks fly.

In 1981, the woods were really dry in Idaho and you could not have a campfire for any reason. Dad took this for one night and decided that you just couldn't camp without a good fire.

Dad loved camping and he would take his horse, fishing pole a cast iron skillet and a little flour and "rough it" by himself sometimes.

There are those who have never experienced the great outdoors or the peaceful company sitting around a campfire. When you are sitting in a circle watching the different colors of the flames, life seems uncomplicated and simple.

The events of the world threaten to take our peace away from us. We have witnessed massive destruction either by nature or man happening nearly every day.

Our military is far from home trying to prevent the ugliness of war from reaching our shore and they need to know that we are keeping the home fires burning. They need to hear that we appreciate the efforts and sacrifices that have kept us safe.

We need our campfires to sit around and to establish new bonds with our fellow man. To feel the peace of a crackling fire and the brilliance of the stars overhead and greet the new day by putting the coffee on to boil, letting the fragrance send an invitation to all that life can be simple and good.

A blazing fire provides warmth and protection. We as Americans need to add more wood to the fire. The dying coals of hope and patriotism need a good supply of wood to get the blaze going again. A true campfire never goes completely out if someone is watching over it throughout the night.

We must select our future protectors more carefully. They need to be capable of sitting with us around the campfire and listening to our concerns. They must recognize our predators and utilize a plan of protection. And most importantly of all, the wood to fuel the fire needs to be plentiful and available for any unforeseen danger or need.

My dad loved his campfires. They didn't have to be very big or fancy, just a nice blaze for everyone to gather round. We don't have to be big or fancy with our campfires either, we just need to be more thoughtful and welcoming to our fellow campers.