As Joni Mitchell said, "You don't know what you've got til it's gone" and then something about parking lots and museums. In my case, it wasn't until after I left Philly that I really appreciated what it was like to be a mere two hours away from ski slopes, New York City, or the Jersey Shore. In Atlanta, we lived right on the Chattahoochee River and we were only a short drive away from famous leisure meccas like Savananah, Charlotte, Asheville and Hilton Head. I wonder what I will regret when I eventually leave Abu Dhabi?
Being minutes away from a boat launch and then only a short ride to a private sandy island? I may miss that. Forced to chose between water skiing and scuba diving from one weekend to the next? That could make me nostalgic. Traveling to places I'd only ever read about or seen in movies? Definitely will feel that loss. How about being only an hour and a half away from the swirling sand dunes of the deepest desert? Now there's something you'll not find anywhere else!
We spent our Valentine's weekend on a romantic expedition in the lonely windswept dunes of Al Ain - in the company of about 75 boy scouts! Robert's troop held a Scout Camporee with troops coming from Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. We went along to provide assistance and to dust off our camping gear which has been lying neglected in the storage room.
Gas? Kidney stones? To the other side? Who knows? Just shut the gate.We picked a good weekend to do it. While the temps in the desert are still a bit cool at night and it was a bit windy, the landscape was breathtaking. Desert camping is a bit different from pitching a tent in the woods. It's very sandy for one! This makes the ground nice and soft but the grit does tend to get into everything. You need special stakes to keep your tent lines in the ground. And you pretty much need to bring your own wood if you want a fire. But it's beautiful and quiet and there's nothing quite like it.
The boys had a great time competing for prizes in a sort of "Scout Olympics" which included orienteering, fire building against the clock, and building (using lashings and knots!) your own chariot and racing it. Connie observed Robert splitting wood for the fire without burying the hatchet into his head or anyone else. After watching his patrol make "breakfast" the next morning by ladling hot water directly into instant oatmeal packets thereby eliminating clean-up, I decided perhaps I should volunteer to teach the cooking merit badge.
It was all good fun. We only have until April before it gets too warm to go anymore so I think we'll make one or two more similar excursions. Don't want to leave with any regrets.
Yes, this is a real sign. Must Have!Extra photo!
When I put the space heater on my night stand, my bed instantly turns into "Kitty Beach". Apparently it also bestows super powers on Kirby.love, Jaimie
