Camp S.B, Elliot State Park On Saturday 6th September 2014 Gopal our son took us to S.B, Elliot State Park. State Parks are areas where forests are protected, wild-life is protected and conservation methods are followed. With industrialization and vehicular pollution, the air, water etc get polluted. Realizing the importance of retaining forests and wild-life certain measures have been taken up by people concerned about preserving nature and biodiversity. State-parks are maintained by different states in USA.The conservationists and the government have revived the forests and these parks afford the layman to camp there and enjoy the flora and fauna.

We left Hermitage 61 Lyle Drive at about 12.30 pm and reached the place in 2 hours. We went to Parker Dam site office and collected the keys to our rustic cabin-5 in S.B.Elliot State Park. Check–in time was 3.00 P.M. We paid about $60 for two days.Just as we located our cabin it started raining pretty heavily.There were bunk beds and 4 people could stay here. There were two benches and a dining table. Gas cooking range, refrigerator, fireplace and heating was provided but there was no flowing water inside. We had with us bottled water gallons as also bedsheets, quilts. We prepared tea/coffee . We had with us milk, instant coffee and tea bags. On the wrought iron skillet we toasted a few slices of bread and enjoyed it with our hot drink, enjoying the sight of rain falling on the rows and rows of trees. When the rain stopped a little we used the compost toilet situated a short distance away. There were separate toilets for men and women and sinks with hot and cold water, hand soap and paper napkins. We tried lighting fire in the fire-pit which did come up but was put off by the intermittent rains. So we had a fire built at the fireplace inside and enjoyed the warmth of the burning firewood. We read the journal in which previous occupants had given their experience in a page. They talked about bear encounters, sighting of elks, rattle snake, possums etc and also about their visit to an Amish settlement close-by. The Amish community does not use cars and travel in horse coaches; they raise organic crops and believe in being self-sufficient. They make their own clothes and shun modernity. The fact that there were bears around was scary and it was with trepidation that the last visit to the toilet was made.Next morning we and started our trail.The sun was just rising and the tall oak, pines and ferns were covered with dew-drops. As the sunlight fell on the trees, sound of drops of water falling on the leaves was heard. The tall trees brought to my mind the observation ”Vanani Vishnu, Bhuvanani Vishnu.” “The forests are Vishnu, the universe is Vishnu.” Twigs were seen on the path as also moss covered floors and moss covered trees with ferns growing in plenty. It was just the three of us.The sight of beautiful spider webs caught out attention and they shone in the morning sun in the middle of the wetness of the previous day’s rain. We even got to watch a spider spinning a web.The spider was spinning its web from the outer circumference forming concentric circles to the middle and the whole web looks like a fine threaded crotchet which can never be copied. Even as we were watching the spider at work we noticed some animals moving beyond about four rows of trees. Were they dogs? We watched and realized that they were deer. Fascinated we watched and the deer stared at us but we did not manage a photo. The trail was about 3 miles and we returned to our cabin rejuvenated.We lit a fire and sat around it. Gopal used the iron skillet to prepare bread toast with vegetable fillings - a potato, cut capsicums and a jalapeno pepper were cooked.It was a filling breakfast and was followed by tea. After watching the chipmunks at play as also the kids at other cabins we packed up our stuff and left the place by 12.00 noon. After cleaning the cabin, putting off the fire we drove to Parker dam office to return the key the drove back home .