S11 Team camp

we had done camp on 21st August 2021. It is located in Shenandoah National Park.

Camp Location:

Name: Loft Mountain, Shenandoah National Park.

Distance: 100 miles from Henrico, Richmond (approx.)

Site type: Non-Electric

Camp Team: Chetan, Jigar, Keyur, Naman, Niraj, Sachin, Vishal and me

Experience:

It all started on one fine evening(two months before) after our evening practice. It had been a long time we had no team party or get-together. So one of our team member said about camping and couple of us showed interest and decided to go for camping. Chetan, our team's punctual and first responder booked the campground. Also created a separate group with all the enthusiasts. Not sure how much serious all are, just had the site ready and since two months to go, ignored it for the time. Just a week before the camping day, we started talking about it like do we want to go for it, how many are interested, timing of our next match, what all things are needed and so on. Six members were ready(all the initial interested ones) and we decided to go on with the plan. Sachin, as usual one of the most eager person to join any team event to help team bonding, invited couple of future s11 members to come along for the camp. We now have 8 members and planned who is going to get what and what we are going to do on the camping day. On 19th after our practice session, Sachin announced he would not be joining us due to some personal work. By now we got used to this sudden surprises from him, as he generally does these last minute changes after initially showing lot of interest and encouraging others to join. We are now back to 7. On 20th, a day before the D-day, Chetan and me got the necessary items for the camp. Next post our match we were about to start within 2 hours for the campsite, came to know that the two future S11 members are unable to join and we were only 5. Oh forgot to mention, Jigar called us on 20th asking about the camp plan and was looking for personal invitation, unfortunately we have not printed any invitation cards, but he being kind hearted agreed to join us. we are now 6 again. Chetan and Naman being very persuasive were after Sachin and Vishal to join us at any cost. Sachin mentioned his personal work got cancelled and thanks to efforts of Chetan and Naman, Vishal and Sachin agreed to join us. So we are now 8 again. This is not unusual for us , as it is exactly how we persuade to get 11 players for a match. Naman being our nutritionist (food expert) and caretaker to ensure everyone has got something to eat of their own choice, took the order from each one of us and got the food items from various restaurants. Me being picky and orthodox, he took extra care to ensure I eat something. So we decided to go in two cars, one Chetan's 4Runner and other Naman's Highlander. we left to our homes to rendezvous at my place at 2pm. 

Chetan, our most punctual guy was ready and picked Sachin, Vishal, Jigar along with their belongings and instead of coming to my place waited for us at Rest Area(still unclear why they missed the exit, may be easy for nature call). Naman, our other driver along with conductor Niraj picked the food, then Keyur and came to my place around 2:10 pm. The car is already full with all the belongings and almost little space left to fit in mine. Keyur felt he and me need to sit on roof of the car so that the luggage can fit in. But Niraj, our jugaad expert somehow adjusted all the luggage and me and Keyur able to seat in the back seats of the car. Around 2:30pm we started from my place and went to Kroger to take beverages, ice bags. Keyur and me being kids(or treated like) driver and conductor went to get the beverages and got chocolate milk for us. we then met our other group at the Rest Area who by now are skeptical if we are going to make it. We then set out for the campsite. As there is literally no space in our car, Chetan and co took the next exit on I-64 to get firewood and additional ice-bags. On our way we had good debate on hindi vs gujarati songs. Keyur insisted on one gujarati song which Naman refused, but upon Niraj's additional support for Keyur, Naman put the song. Keyur was fully into the song while Naman waited for the chance to change it, but believe it or not, luck is with Naman, due to bad network in Keyur's mobile could not continue the song. Then Naman played some patriotic songs and topic moved to patriotism and one of the great warrior of India, Vikram Batra and movie released on him. By the time we realized we were in traffic jam and again we were discussing which vehicles would we allow to pass us and which we should not. Naman, kind-hearted allowed a big truck to cross us and gave him way in the jam. we waited for our other group to join us at exit 99 near the popcorn shop. This time it was our turn to wait. The other group arrived and we entered the skyline drive and went towards the campsite. It was Single lane and even though Naman was driving good, due to sensors in his car we came to know that he was crossing the line(it beeps whenever lane is crossed). We saw a deer on the way, standing on the side of the road, lucky enough, thanks to sensors Naman was within the lane. Soon we reached the campsite at 5:23 pm. We booked two campsites, expecting both to be on opposite side but to our surprise they are not and they were one behind the other with a road in between.

We pitched our tents, unloaded the luggage from the cars. Chetan being an expert camper, had set everything ready to eat, for sitting around the campsite. Everyone being hungry readily sat with their drink and plates to eat. Me being like a touch-me-not for the non-vegetarian food, Keyur did the serving for us(Vishal, Jigar, Keyur, me) and Sachin and Chetan for others. Naman felt happy that everyone got their share and liked the food. Somehow the conversation went onto ships and Naman being a ex Merchant Ship Engineer got reminded of his old days. He was so passionate to explain his experiences and how the life of an Ship Engineer would be. Everyone were asking rapid fire questions about the job(only what they want to know) but Naman being so excited about people asking him about Ship, went on to tell what he wanted to say mostly technical, which went over our head for most part except for Keyur who seems to be knowledgeable of it. Naman was so involved in explaining he lost control of bottle in his hand. since then everyone was more keen on making sure he does not hold anything or anything near him than listening to what he is saying. Overall it was very informative session. Niraj was quiet throughout the session, as though like a parent observing the kids talk and play. we are done with one round of dinner. Chetan, Niraj started to setup the campfire. Jigar, the Uno expert giving KT to Sachin about the game. we were playing Uno while Niraj gathering all the dried sticks and chetan arranging the firewood. with lot of effort, oil they succeeded in setting up the campfire and it was dark already. Since they were only three chairs others waited for their turn in someone got up for nature or personal phone call. We had good fruitful discussions about the future strategies for Suprising 11, while Chetan is busy cleaning the area for fear of bears might join us. The restrooms are very close to the campsite so it made life easy for many of us to walk in the night. Around 8:45 pm we had our final round of dinner. Food was good and as we were making lot of noise discussing about our strategies we decided to go to amphitheater where there is no sound restriction. It was a long adventurous walk through the woods with plants and trees on both sides. For Keyur every plant seemed like poison-ivy. Sachin the brave person always in the middle of the group so that if anything attacks he would not be the first one. we reached the amphitheater around 10:00 pm. We were the only ones there. Started conversations on various topics about Shenandoah, valleys, Chetan's new dog, Sachin's analysis (he wants people to listen to his pre and post match analysis), my night vision binoculars, everyone's struggle to convince their life partner to join this trip. Being tired we decided to go back to our tent.

we reached our tent, Vishal wanted all of us to stay near the campfire but, people decided to hit the tent for sleep. Keyur, Niraj, Naman, Jigar and me in one tent and Chetan, Sachin and Vishal in another. Keyur actually had brought two comforters for extra cushion for comfort but unfortunately we distributed all the comforters across the tent base. Soon we five hit our sacks and Naman our Dj put some light music which was on and off due to network issue kept us awake instead of sleep. Soon some of us went to sleep and now we could hear all the sounds of woods(insects, flies) along with ours(snoring). it was like a sound competition among the insects, flies and us. I guess we all know the winner. There was heavy wind flowing and it felt little cold to some of us. With some difficulty we all were able to sleep except for few times need to wake up for nature call. Around 6:30 am except Niraj we all got up and got freshened. Naman and Keyur still want to sleep andso decided to stay in the tent. By this time Chetan as usual our first responder was ready and then Jigar , Vishal Sachin and me we all went in car to shelter where we can take shower. unfortunately none of us had coins to turn on the shower. Sachin, who was half sleepy got freshened there along with Vishal. Jigar and me came back to tent walking. On our way we went to amphitheater again to enjoy the spectacular view of the Shenandoah valley. Finally Niraj also got up. we all were ready for our morning chai. Chetan again has set everything ready for preparing chai and Maggie for breakfast. Jigar our chai chef, started preparing the tea with ginger. Naman wanted less sugar and Jigar wanted more sugar. the debate seemed like not going to end. Keyur came to our rescue and settled it. Finally chai was ready and everyone enjoyed it. On the other hand, me persistent with the small stove(though not necessary) had prepared soup. Since we have firewood left from the previous night, decided to put the campfire again. Niraj, once again the wildlife wanderer brought the dried sticks and Chetan set the campfire. The only missing person was Sachin who was on phone for a long time. Initially we thought it was his life partner as he was talking for hours, later we came to know it was one of our other team member. Meanwhile Keyur being a responsible person went and handed over his Chai as others were trying to drink it. Unfortunately Sachin do not drink Chai and Keyur felt disappointed. Naman then prepared Maggie with great effort as though he was preparing biryani. It was very good. We all had Maggie and some of us had tea once again, this time with less ginger. Keyur was not satisfied though. I went to bring corn and Keyur was coming from the restroom. we were talking about how to roast them and all of a sudden he shouted Snake. we both were about to step on a small rattle snake. It was not perturbed by us and was moving slowly towards the bushes. Keyur started calling others. Soon everyone gathered and started analyzing about the snake. There were so many snake experts amongst us. It slowly went to the bushes. Chetan, Sachin and Vishal were there until the last sight of it and bid farewell to it. we then roasted corn on the campfire grill. Niraj and keyur took all the efforts in make it a fine roast. It was delicious. Naman added lemon to it for extra flavour. Meanwhile conversation started about cars and everyone turned towards Chetan's 4runner as it was completely customized. Niraj and Chetan went for a test drive. We started playing Uno again. By this time Sachin also became a pro in that. As usual Vishal always won the game. we completed couple of games but Niraj and Chetan had not returned. Felt like Niraj has went to car shop to purchase a new car. They were back and wrapped up our luggage and tent. We throwed away the trash in the allotted bear proof trash cans and left for home in the same cars as we started. Reached home around 1:45 pm. It was an amazing and wonderful trip with all the team members. All is well.

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