Tent Poles
.JPG)
After a five-hour drive, I was content to pull out my chair, open a beer and exhale. The view was spectacular and I was happy to be there. I laid out the tablecloth, fastened with clips and made a vase out of an empty water bottle for a dandelion flower bouquet. I had hours of daylight to set up the tent. I pulled it out of the bag, realized I must spin the pack facing the other way, lifted my arms to unfurl the tent, which blocked my view and then I spread it out to fit the space. The tent bag was empty. No poles! No stakes! I looked around the tent, under the tent, in the tent and sat down to think about what to do next. I called my b-i-l and asked him to bring their tent for me to use when they arrive the next day. Sure enough they said yes. Meanwhile, I had to use the tent as a tarp of sorts to protect against the elements. I set up the cot inside the tent-shell, then added the air bag, pillow and blankets. I draped the rain fly over that an...