Elk City

After careful consideration, Elk City is where I'll be spending my next weekend off. The main thing I was looking for was a place that was somewhat close to Wichita (although I don't mind taking a long car ride), had primitive camping (who needs a camper when you have a tent), and possible hiking trail. Elk City has all of it. The hiking trail is the real draw. It isn't anything major, just under three miles and it runs right next to the lake making it somewhat close to nature.

There are really two types of camping. Camping with friends, and camping alone. Being with friends is great, it allows for relaxation and socializing. It can bring people closer together just because it's out in the middle of nowhere, you have to get back to basics (such as cooking over a fire), and you all deal with being away from the comforts of home. No air conditioning, no television, no bed. Just each other. Playing cards or reading books or sitting around a fire and drinking beer.

The other option is to go camping by yourself. It may sound awful and boring, but on the other hand it can be more relaxing than camping with friends. There is no better way to clear one's head then to get away from the city and get out to nature. It sounds cliched and it is, but it is true. Whenever I get back from camping there is just this sense of clarity.

But then again, camping by yourself usually leads to alien abductions....if you believe in that sort of thing.