The Camping Trip - Ray Stevens

Last summer I thought for a little diversion, I'd take
My family on a camping excursion –
We were tired of vacations with air conditioned rooms
And such.

(Swimming pools, room service)

I thought two weeks way back in the woods would do us
All a whole world of good –
Especially the kids, they don't appreciate nature much.

(Rather watch a tv, eat a twinkie)

Well, my wife wasn't sure but I said "Look here, Honey,
We'll have a lot of fun and save a lot of money. "
Now right there's where I made my first mistake,
Friends.

(I figured a tent, a few cans of beans, marshmallows,
What could it cost?)

But with the sleeping bags, & the hiking shoes and all
The other paraphernalia that you use –
It came to $6, 947. 22!

(But like the man said, you can use it all again)

Well, we packed the new Land Rover with the maximum
Load, and drove till we run plum out of road –
And then backpacked six hours straight up a steep
Incline.

(Briars & brambles & cockleburrs)

Then we saw the perfect site – there were trees on the
Left and a creek on the right – of a clearing to pitch
The tent, just what we had in mind.

(Eat your heart out, Field & Stream)

Now pitching the tent took four hours or so, and by
Then the sun was sinking low –
And the kids were whining and crying for something to
Eat.

(Where upon my wife says "Where's the restroom?" I told
Her and she grinned and says "Yeah, now where is it
Really? ")

So we broke out the soda crackers & sardines, the
Vienna sausages and the pork & beans, and sat around
The fire to enjoy a well earned treat.

(Mmm good, none of that citified junk food for us)

(Kinda reminds me of wild hickory nuts!)

Let's all go camping, you'll never have it so good.
It's great getting back to Nature, out here in the
Woods
Amongst the birds and the bees, & the flowers and the
Trees,
Where the animals are our friends -
Once you get hooked on camping, you'll never like the
City again

Well, we just weren't ready for what happened then –
When sparks from the campfire carried by the wind set a
Pile of leaves and two $89. 95 sleeping bags aflame!

(Little Elmer was going for the marshmallows, thought
It was part of the deal)

It spread from the bags and the leaves to the trees,
Raging out of control and fanned by the breeze –
I thought all was lost and then thank God it started to
Rain.

(I don't mean showers, friends, we're talking bare 'em
Up Noah one whole time)

Well the fire was out, and we huddled in the tent, whoa
Slapped out from the day's events – Floating on our air
Mattresses in mud, ankle deep.

(Where upon my wife says, "I really need to know now,
Where is the restroom? ")

When it finally stopped raining it was cold and late,

But those mysterious noises kept us awake –
And we all knew we'd be mauled or axe murdered in our
Sleep.

(At this point I knew the ghost stories earlier had
Been a bad idea)

I was dozing off, just about to dream about a Holiday
Inn, when a blood curdling scream – Announced the
Presence of something in the tent covered with hair!

(That's when I said, "Leap up there, son, and light the
Coleman, I think there's something in here with us. ")

We lit the lantern and there he was, a little beady
Eyed fuzzy, looking at us –
And we chased him out of the tent and ran head on into
A bear!

(He'd just finished off the groceries and was frothing
At the mouth, we ain't talking no Gentle Ben here,
Friends)

He reared back on his haunches and he let out a growl,
And we all turned white and let out a howl and went
Tearing through the woods in hysterics without a
Flashlight or a lamp!

(It's amazing what adrenaline will do, I mean I was a
Track star in High School, but my chubby little wife
Just flatfooted past me with a child under each arm
Like I was taking a Sunday stroll, yelling "Never mind
The restroom! ")

Well, somehow we all made it to the car, and I had to
Crank it with a quick hot wire –
Cause I'd left the keys in my backpack, back at the
Camp.

(Along with my shoes, wallet, my Rolex, $6947. 22 worth
Of camping equipment)

We went flying down that dark & muddy trail, slipping
And a sliding like a bat outta hell-
Till we drove through a stream that we'd crossed on our
Way in.

(Lord knows how we missed all those trees at 90 miles
Per hour - sideways)

Now the rain made it deeper than it was before, the
Water started pouring in around the doors and we had to
Swim for the shore – never saw that Land Rover again.

(Just floated off, last I saw was the taillights going
Over the falls – State Farm's ain't never gonna believe
This)

Well, we finally stumbled into civilization – called a
Friend of mine from a Texaco station – and he drove out
To pick us up and take us all on home.

(Wet, cold, tired and talking to ourselves)

They say take only pictures and leave only footprints –
Well, we left 8 sleeping bags, 2 Trailmaster tents, a
Coleman stove, $400 worth of groceries, a Land Rover, a
Rolex and every stitch of clothing my wife ever owned.

(Oh yeah, had to take it all with us, mink coat,
Makeup, electric curling iron, "You never know what you
Might need", she said)

Let's all go camping, you'll never have it so good.
It's great getting back to Nature, out here in the
Woods
Amongst the birds and the bees, & the flowers and the
Trees,
Where the animals are our friends -
Once you get hooked on camping, you'll never like the
City again