© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Essay: Leaving Firewood

Arriving at a campground, my husband and I usually set up the tent first and then head out in search of firewood.

Sometimes, we collect enough driftwood on the beach and other times we prowl a nearby forest for downed trees. Back at the campsite, Dick unpacks his saw and gets to work. Our reward is a sitting around a crackling fire at the end of the day, soaking up the warmth and the sweet, dry aroma.

In the morning, Dick builds another fire to take off the chill and sets the coffee pot on the edge of the fire ring.

But all too soon, the trip is over and we’re packing up our gear. A pile of kindling and some split logs are left over, so Dick tucks them under the picnic table to keep dry. Whoever camps here next will have a head start on a fire.

Over the years, we’ve occasionally found firewood waiting for us at a campsite. It seems like a special gift because it’s anonymous and we can never thank anyone. Instead, we leave firewood for the next campers.

Does it even out, what we leave and what we find? I’ve never kept track but I want to believe that it does.

Karen Anderson contributes "Essays by Karen Anderson" to Interlochen Public Radio.