OUR FIRST CAMPING TRIP TOGETHER

The events recorded are chronological in order, but many days or even months may pass between sections or chapters.  I might touch on a dinner that the Fishback family invited me to the day after our prank; it was a Sunday dinner.  Mother, Mom, little Bob's Mom, or Edith commented at the dinner table that Bob seemed so happy when he came home from out outing the night before In fact she said that Bob would suddenly break out in laughter over something he was thinking about.  I had not a clue as to what it was !!   My Dad, little Bob's Dad, or Carl told me that sometimes he felt guilty about pawning his Son off on me so much, but that whatever I was doing had made a world of difference in his son.  I told him Bob gave me a reason to live and had also breathed new life into me.  "Carl, I was dying when I came here.  I have lived mosy of my life and worked hard, and have little to show for it.  Bob has taught me much also.  I have learned to be a child again. Adulthood is so stifled with a heavy starched correctness and concern.  Childhood is the apex of our Earthly sojourn and we didn't know it then."  Carl then told me I should write....keep a diary !,  and I told him I was seriously thinking of doing just that.  I asked them if Bob had ever been camping, and Edith said:  "He used to be in the Scouts and went on a camp where older Scouts were and they laughed at him and made fun of his.....weenie....as to how little it was.  He never went camping again.  I replied that that was a cruel thing to do.  I asked them if I could take him camping where he would not be exposed to others.  Because they trusted me, they thankfully said yes and that they would pay me for that.  I told them that affording Bob healthful experiences was quite payment enough.  I told them that I knew a wonderful camping spot high up in the San Gabriels near Buck Horn and asked if next weekend would be alright.  They said that would be wonderful as they also wanted some time off together without having to worry about their Son.  So, that sets the stage for my next installment.   (to be continued)