L is for Laundry

In June 2021, I came back from a camping trip and while performing post-trip chores with my one-year-old, I was struck by a missing entry to the children's alphabet-book market. In a sleep-deprived haze, I started "L is for Laundry".

Air out your gear after a trip!

After camping with my son two weekends in a row, I was reminded of this list. A little ode to end-of-summer camping trips and (thankfully) cooling-off weather.

I haven't picked a task for some of the letters, so suggestions are welcome.

• A is for "Air out your gear"
• Brush off the tent floor
• Check for ticks
• Dishes - wash them!
• Empty your water bottles
• Fluff your sleeping bag
• Garbage you packed out - throw it away!
• Hose off your shoes and trekking poles
• Inspect your gear for damage
• J?
• K?
• Laundry
• Miss the outdoors already
• Nap
• Organize small gear into appropriate containers
• Photos sorted
• Question why you packed the items you didn't use
• Return borrowed gear
• Shower
• T?
• U?
• V
• Write down what you learned
• X to mark your calendar for the next trip
• Y?
• Z?

I have space in the garage and the loft above that lets me set up my tent and some key pieces of gear to air out and dry off, which is very helpful. I do miss the first house I moved into which had a non-leaky basement with tons of space to set up and even a couple structural columns perfect for hanging a hammock.

Enjoy your time outdoors, however you take it!