As I write this from my vacation spot in Bali, Indonesia (which is why my blog postings have been sparse) I am struck that for some people living on this very same planet as mine, camping is a way of life. Camping is not for a weekend, camping is not for counting falling stars beyond the misty gauze of our netted tent entrance…\', camping is not a \'retreat\', camping is living.

Who are these life campers? I met them today as my family and I rafted down the white waters of the beautiful Ayung river in Ubud, Bali. Once my nerves settled after a few bumps down the river, I started enjoying the beautiful lush foliage along the river, then I saw them. A straw hut, a clothes line, children carrying a tin pail to bathe, smoke rising from food cooking somewhere under the thatched roof.

At the end of our ride, I watch one of the Ayung river women pack up our raft, lift the 120-lb rolled-up raft on her head (picture below) to carry it up 200 steps to a waiting transport. Our outdoor adventure lasted two hours. Theirs will last a lifetime. What do you think of that? Drop a comment below.