Hiking out of the canyon
Destination: Campfire Talk

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Have you ever had …

An ambitious plan in mind?

This story features several “campfire breaks”

That’s the case with these two hikers. Their goal: To hike out of the canyon in time to make it to the top of the rim before dark, and most of all to make it in time for a ranger-led “campfire talk.” Will they make it? Answer: The only way to find out is to watch the short playlist of videos. And just so you’re aware, the story is broken up — not with commercial breaks — but with a series of “campfire breaks.”

More about campfire breaks: They were invented right here in Campfire Park. Their purpose? Commercial breaks sell a product, and often break the spell of the main program. Campfire breaks are meant to give you a break, and feather in some new ideas, but also give you a break from the main story line.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

It’s a new dawn with Candidate Burt Silver, but only because he stayed up all night to see it

— Burt Silver

Spring drought paradox

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There’s no lusher drought …

Than springtime in the Big Cypress Swamp.

This podcast dives deep into the paradox and oxymoron of south Florida’s spring drought, why you should never walk into a gator hole, and when we can expect it to end with the start up of the summer rains.

Well howdy folks, and I’m completely freaked out. And you know why. The fringe middle. The silent majority. Why are they so quiet?

— Buck Buckner

I don’t know much, but I’m inclined to spill whatever I do out at the campfire

— Old Miner

Proper illumination
The ideal lighting for reading a book

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Any well respecting reader knows:

You need a good lamp to probably read a book.

Cowboy talks “proper illumination”

My choice is a standing lamp with an articulated arm. This allows me to get the light in the exact spot that I need it to clearly see from my paperback book. Now, I know there are a lot of fancy and new fangled devices that provide the backlighting so you can read any old where, even in the middle of the dark. My issue with that is this: Some books require the good old-fashioned paper version to properly digest, and get lost within. Case in point are the Campfire Trilogy of books written by Robert V. Sobczak and Rudi Heinrich. Yes, I could read these books on my phone, or some other digital device, it isn’t until I completely unplug and soak them up in the soft lamp light that they truly transport me to the adventure of the story flow.

Now don’t get me wrong: I’m not a Luddite. But I also equally know that sometimes the paperback is the absolute way to go. Yes, technology is great, but let’s not lose our connections to “unplugged” books.

The campfire is always crackling and visitors are always welcome at Campfire Park

— Cowboy at the Campfire

Boogie Phone Pop Quiz
Test your phone knowledge

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Yes, we all have phones …

But are you using yours correctly?

Take Test Now

  1. When is it appropriate to giddily text back and forth with someone? a. While driving on a multi-lane highway b. In a meeting (as long as you pretend it’s “important business”) c. While someone else is trying to talk to you “in person” d. At the dinner table with your family e. All the above
  2. How often should you check your newsfeed? a. About every hour, so long as it’s a slow news day b. Whenever you pick up your phone c. Multiple times per hour d. Whenever you’re bored or unmotivated to do something else e. All of the above
  3. What’s your least favorite thing to do with your phone? a. Take a selfie b. Talk to a person c. Social media d. Contribute to Big Data e. Google search
  4. When should you not have your phone? a. Never b. At the dinner table c. While sleeping d. While exercising e. While swimming in the ocean

See answer key at the bottom

And remember, proper phone usage is a key to a happy and healthy life. That means putting the phone first (and sometimes even second) and everything else third, if not even fourth.

This public service announcement is brought to you by:

Answer Key 1e, 2e, 3b, 4a

Remember the Rule of the Ninja: Never fear, never doubt, and never over think.

— Ranger Rudi

Free meal guarantee
Plus a tasty dessert

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We all know the terrible feeling …

of ordering the wrong meal at a restaurant.

Call Your Uncle!

Fortunately, Uncle & Uncle is in your corner. Not only will they guarantee you a free meal (and tasty) meal. For dessert they’ll make sure you get to eat your cake and have it, too. Don’t let you stomach rumble: “Call Your Uncle!” 1-800-Uncle-Uncle (Conditions may apply)

Backstory on Uncle & Uncle: This character (or characters) is featured in the Centennial Campfire Trilogy of books, including (1) The Legend of Campfire Charlie, (2) Last Stand at Boulder Ridge and (3) Final Campfire by co-authors Robert V. Sobczak and Rudi Heinrich. A bit unexpectedly, Uncle & Uncle took on a life of its own in Campfire Park … in a good way. Uncle & Uncle is supposed to be funny, and a bit of de-stressor for all those stupid things in life that bring us down. But aren’t we always laughing about them afterwards? That in a nutshell is what Uncle & Uncle is all about.

Try not to overthink a song. Go with what pops in your head, run with it, and don’t stop until you cross the finish line.

— Bobby Angel

Handwriting workshop

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I’ll be the first to admit …

That this isn’t the best handwritten note.

But the truth is you’ve got to start somewhere. And in retrospect, it’s not all that bad, even though it started poorly and really didn’t have a strong finish. The secret? When in doubt go for the margin to write a good P.S.. In this case, actually, the P.S. wasn’t all that good. What it did show was extra effort, and when it comes to letter writing, effort counts.

What really makes this letter stand out is the play by play analysis.

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