The Fool is the spirit in search of experience...: An American Summer

The last days of camp were a flurry of crazy; trip gear to be cleaned and packed away for another year, crying campers to be corralled and delivered to the airport and of course the celebration of the end of a successful summer. Despite my best culinary efforts I didn't take out the title in the annual Tripper Dutch Oven Cook Off, oh well, there's always next year! As we disposed of the last camper into the care of Delta Airlines we erupted into an explosion of shenanigans in which drunken karaoke featured heavily.

The end of summer debauchery dissipated as fast as it had emerged with the majority of camp staff exiting quickly as Birch Trail swiftly became a ghost town of summer past. Soon there was only four; Shae, Mealy, Dan and I lingered, soaking up the last special moments of being in the woods, the smell of campfire, Leine's at the P&L and simplicity of enjoying time together.

As the eeriness threatened to engulf us, the time had come for us to take to the road. We headed Northwest to the childhood summer haunt of Shae-Dynasty, a quaint cabin on the shore of Deer Lake, the gorgeous cul de sac of Grand Rapids in the North woods of Minnesota. One day turned into three; boating and fishing the lake, sunbathing, cooking, great conversation, more campfires, moonshine, silliness and the appreciation of the simple good things that make life special and create those random moments of happiness. It has been an American summer to remember, so much fun, so many new special people.

After saying our goodbyes the last of the Tripper crew went their separate ways and I made my way to Minneapolis. Apparently a week of boozing hadn't been enough and some new friends dragged me out for a 'couple' drinks which turned into too many "minty mighty dragon worthy" drinks so I spent most of my first day here feeling less than energetic. The next couple days will bring some much needed rest, just in time to restore me to full fabulousness before I head to Santorini to meet up with the lovely Anna.