It must be something I ate.

I've always loved the outdoors, and have been hankering to spend a whole day in the woods hiking, bringing lunch, my journal, and other essentials. But I've never been one to sleep out of doors. I've thought at times that I should try camping, because after all, I have characters in my stories and novels who do, and it would be research, right? Then I think about all the equipment I'd have to buy and how hard the ground is and so forth and convince myself out of it.But I've been planning to hike part of the Knobstone Trail someday, ever since I found out it existed. A long-distance hiking trail right here in Indiana? Cool! Those little four and five mile trails in the State Parks are just over way too soon and not, well, remote enough.Then I found out that the north end of the trail starts in Delaney Creek Park, which has the best of both worlds: a tent-camping area overlooking a lake as well as restrooms and a restaurant.Next Friday, the high school where I teach is on Fall Break. I'm going to drive down and walk one or two loop trails, then sleep in an actual tent. The weather should be good for it.Thank goodness for Sierra Trading Post. I admit to being something of a gearhead, and shop there frequently. I found a basic tent, sleeping bag, and ground pad all for around $150 with a 20% off e-coupon. It's already shipped out, and I can't wait till it gets here so I can practice pitching it in the back yard.I'm only mildly reclusive by nature, but things have been so busy and hectic lately that the thought of being out in the woods on an excursion all by myself seems wonderful. I don't know yet if I'll like tent camping, but I'll be sure to find out!