Of Tent Zippers and Corkscrews

I have decided that Husband did not bring too much stuff to AirVenture last week.

(AirVenture is the largest aircraft show in the world. Picture 100,000 people walking around looking at thousands of planes in acres of grassy fields and looking heavenward from about 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day for the air show. It all happens just outside of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Oh, and picture port-a-pottys. Everywhere. Because everyone camps outside. And, drinks beer. Lots of beer.)

I chided Husband for packing a camping store into a rather large SUV to go away for just over 7 days. But, I soon learned that not everything I wanted went with him.

I arrived a few days later – via commercial airline.  (There wouldn’t have been room for me in the rather large SUV he drove from Virginia to Wisconsin, anyway.)

But, I did figure almost anything I could want would be there. Not so. I quickly vowed to be part of the packing extravaganza the next year when I asked him – upon arrival—for the corkscrew. (I sent him ahead with a few bottles of wine and strict instructions to wait until I got there.) He replied, what corkscrew?  This is not what one wants to hear after waking up at 4:45 a.m. to take two flights, rent a car in Milwaukee, and drive over an hour to get to the campsite, much, much later that day. Rather, I wanted to hear – just uncorked the first bottle for you, love. May I pour you a glass?

Then, of course, other questions went unanswered such as – where are the bath towels and do you have a flashlight for those middle of the night trips to the port-o-johns?

Of course, Husband may have had an ulterior motive — one that involved keeping me “high and dry,” if you know what I mean.  Because, really, is there anything louder than a tent zipper at 2 a.m.? I think not. I know this because I woke up Husband AND the campers on either side of us every night with said zipper to make the trek to the outhouses. Wine does that to you. (Husband might have known this.)

Of course, if you wanted some triscuits or beer, we had plenty to spare. So, as soon as the wine ran out (we borrowed a corkscrew from other campers), the beer replaced it.

Still, next year, I’m going to help pack. Because if I have learned anything from travelling with Husband, it is this:  his priorities and my priorities are not always the same. That’s okay. But, knowing your spouse’s priorities before leaving the house is key.  (Personally, I would have thought – being handed two bottles of wine to pack – that I should bring a corkscrew. But, hey that’s just me.)