Tents, Fails, and Tales: Camping Stories That'll Have You in Stitches

8. Photograph 10

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The holiday went rather well. This picture probably shows a funny interpretation of a trip gone wrong, thereby contradicting the comment. The picture can show a scene of anarchy or disaster that gently questions the notion of a great trip. Maybe we find a family or group of friends in a remarkably messy state: clothes muddy, hair wild, and expressions a mix of weariness and confusion. The scene might be a campsite in disorder, with a collapsed tent, strewn gear, and perhaps even some local creatures making house among the visitors' possessions. Alternatively, it might portray a holiday car—such as an RV or a car loaded for camping—stuck in muck or perilously on the side of a rural road. Many people can identify to the wonderful irony created by the discrepancy between the claim "The vacation was a great success" and the graphic evidence to the opposite. This picture reminds me humorously that occasionally the most unforgettable trips are those that deviate from the schedule. It honors the fortitude and sense of humor needed when outdoor activities veer off course and implies that the "success" of a trip could be judged in stories to tell rather than in perfect implementation.