Let's Go Camping!

Camping is a time-honored American tradition where families shuck the pressures of modern living, gather together by an open fire to roast hotdogs and S'mores, snuggle up together in weather-worn tents, all in an effort to bring the family together to produce memories that will last a lifetime.

Oprah, unfortunately, has deemed camping as a cheap alternative to going on a REAL vacation -- say to Bermuda or Saks Fifth Avenue. But with the Oprah show going off the air next year, I'm hoping Oprah fans will break free from the shackles of "we need to take a cruise" vacationing, and pull out the old tent and head to a state park to go camping.

You haven't lived until you've pitched a tent, caught a fish or two on a cane pole, gathered sticks for firewood, built a fire to stay warm, and peed in the woods. You haven't lived until you've spent the evening playing dominoes by lantern light, swatting at mosquitoes because someone forgot to pack the insect repellent. You haven't lived until you've been awakened in the middle of the night by a woman screaming bloody murder, only to find out it's really two raccoons trying to get intimate in the woods.

And you haven't lived until the morning sun peeks through your tent window, and you can smell the aroma of coffee brewing and bacon frying in a cast iron skillet.

No, camping is not an alternative vacation. It's a way of life. And you and I both know if we had more money than God, we'd STILL go camping -- and I don't mean in some sissy travel trailer.

Are you ready to Live Without Oprah?