I am a big fan of November camping. I like the long nights, the chill in the air, the darkness coming around 5 PM. Usually it’s a quick scramble to gather firewood, get the wires connected up for the lights, stove lit and fire burning as the sun rapidly drops below the horizon. But then the sun sets, the fire is blazing, and you can start cooking dinner.

A cold beer, a warm fire. Listening to the NPR news, analyzing the results of the recent elections. A few shotgun or riffle blasts in the distance, as the hunters make their final try for the night. The flicker of the fire, the smell of dinner cooking on the camp stove — maybe pizza or rolls in the camp oven, and some soup on the second burner.

The hour progresses and the sky gets progressively darker. I toss some more wood on the fire, check on the food on the stove. I listen to sounds of woods at night, look up at the stars. Throw on another layer as it’s getting chilly. Have some dinner, and settle down for a long winters night.