Chats

Quick Chats are short takes, usually 5 minutes or less. The best way to think of campfire breaks as commercials breaking up a larger campfire talk. | Our hosts | Our venues | Our topics

Power of the bookmark
And why you still need one

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Remember the days …

When a bookmark was a good present?

Cowboy talks bookmarks

Well, how else were you going to remember where you left of reading. Sure, you could use a scrap piece of paper, or alternatively dog ear a page, or even try to remember the page you last left off, but none of those had the style points of a good old fashioned bookmark — especially the ones with a tassel on the end. Today, bookmarks are pretty rare. And if you read from your phone or another digital device, really what’s the point. My solution: I highly recommend picking up a “paper and ink” copy of your favorite book (i.e. think of “paper and ink” as the “bricks and mortar” equivalent of a digital book), find a comfortable chair and settle down under a good reading light and just dive into a book. And no you won’t get it done in one sitting. That’s why you’ll need a good bookmark.

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

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.

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

— Ranger Rudi

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

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.

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

— Old Miner

In a funk?
How about a book?

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Life dragging you down?

If so, maybe it’s time for a good book.

The Centennial Campfire Trilogy: (1) The Legend of Campfire Charlie, (2) Last Stand at Boulder Ridge, and (3) Final Campfire.

More specifically, I recommend the Legend of Campfire Charlie. Why? For one, it’s what we call an immersive read. It allows you to escape deep into space and time. And not just any space — but the sanctuary of one of the nation’s over 400 national parks. Even better yet: It allows you to walk in the shoes (or shall we say boots) of a park service ranger. And maybe best of all: It’s part of a trilogy, so the end isn’t so much the end as it is a welcome mat to the continuing adventures of Ranger Rusty. Most of all I recommend the book because I wrote it myself, or rather “co-wrote.”

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

Scenic Muscovy Lake
Art of balancing protection and access

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Here at Campfire Park …

We like to let people enjoy nature.

Cowboy answers fan mail

But sometimes people can love nature too much. Too many people in one spot can start to leave impacts. Such was the case at Scenic Lake when an unexpected visitor arrived: A Muscovy Duck. Just as quickly the visitors cleared out. (Let’s just say it isn’t the most majestic of creatures). Departure of the duck eventually led to a return of the visitors and the tell-tale impacts of over use they left behind. The solution? The Lake was aptly renamed Scenic Muscovy Lake. It was that inspired naming convention that led to just the right balance of preservation and visitation.

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

— Burt Silver

Campfire Tip
Solid advice from the campfire

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The saying is as popular …

As it is threadbare.

Good air quality should be a priority

In Cowboy’s opinion, it’s also misunderstood. Sure, you don’t want to spit into the wind so it won’t blow back in your face, and you hear that said all the time. But what about the wind? Doesn’t it deserve to be expectorant free? In this campfire short (sometimes called a chat), the Cowboy at the Campfire puts a good word in for the wind and why it deserves the very best.

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