Egyptian Cotton Sheets Go On A Camping Adventure
My friends have dubbed me The Egyptian Cotton Sheets Queen because whenever possible, I like to include Egyptian cotton sheets in everything I do. For the record, I don’t slip them into dinner plans or anything silly like that. I confine my use of Egyptian cotton sheets to relevant situations. Usually, this ends up being when someone is designing a bedroom; however, there are some times where I can fit them in, even if a friend would think at first that it doesn’t apply. Sometimes this makes my friends look at me very strangely, but in the end, they see that my suggestion of Egyptian cotton sheets over percale, or jersey knit, or none at all (as in the following story), was really a good idea after all.
One of my good friends, Sarah, has 10 year old niece who is in the Girl Scouts. Sarah likes to do Girl Scout things with Meredith, but Sarah was never one herself, so she is sometimes broadsided by the activities. Sarah is somewhat of a princess; luxury is really what she would go for 24/7 – if she had the money. Like me, Sarah loves Egyptian cotton sheets and has ever since I gave her a set back in college.
A few weeks ago Sarah said, “Meredith wants me to go camping with her.” She looked pleadingly at me as if I was going to give her an excuse to die right there.
An image of my friend in high heels hiking came to my mind. Not that she would actually wear high heels hiking, but it was still a funny image. There wouldn’t be soft beds and Egyptian cotton sheets in the woods. Trying not to smile too wide, I replied, “That’s awesome. You’ll have a great time.”
Sarah scowled at me. “How am I supposed to go camping? What about the bugs, and the campfire?”
I grinned. “You borrow my sleeping bag and camping gear, pack some bug spray and clothes that can get messed up, and go camping. Oh, and don’t worry about the campfire. One of the leaders will know.” I paused. “What kind of camping is it going to be?”
Sarah shook her head. “No, she said it’s platform tent camping? Do you have any idea what that is?”
“Yes! That is the best kind. A platform tent has a platform – a wooden floor really that has steps in front. Then there’s a big canvas tent over top. You get the camping feel, but then you also get cots inside. There’s 4 cots per tent, 2 to a side, with an aisle down the middle. It was always my favorite type of camping. Although, I’ve never heard of platform tents outside of Girl Scouts.”
Sarah turned up her nose. “A cot? With a smelly mattress that who knows what has made a home in?”
“They are plastic slash vinyl coated. Take some of that orange oil cleaner to wipe yours down. A broom should take care of any other creepy crawlies. And, Miss Princess, since you will have a cot, you can take a set of Egyptian cotton sheets with you.”
Sarah shook her fork at me. “You and your Egyptian cotton sheets. Why would I take something so nice to the middle of the woods?”
“Yes, Egyptian cotton sheets. But not straight onto the cot; you put them inside the sleeping bag.”
“I’ve got the sheets on my bed at home. You know I’m glad that you talked me into them. But camping? I still think you’re nuts.”
“Ok, maybe I am, but just think about it. Even if you don’t take the sheets, you’ll still need my sleeping bag and camping supplies.”
photo credit: wili_hybrid
But, Sarah, You Really Do Need Egyptian Cotton Sheets In The Woods
The week before the camping trip, I again asked Sarah if she wanted to take a set, or at least the top sheet from a set of Egyptian cotton sheets. Again she refused.
“Sarah, you don’t know whether it will be cold or warm. You may end up snuggled into the sleeping bag or unzipping in and laying it flat. Then, you’ll want a sheet, I promise.”
“I don’t think so, I don’t want to mess up my good sheets.”
“Ok, but when you’re in the middle of the woods, you’ll wish you changed your mind. “
“When I’m in the middle of the woods, I doubt that the lack of a sheet, Egyptian cotton or otherwise, will be what makes me wish I had changed my mind.”
I laughed. “Ok, you win. I’ll pull the sleeping bag out and wash it for you. Just let me know when you want to pick up the gear.”
“I’ll be over the night before, then I can pack it right into my car for the next day.”
I Decide To Make Egyptian Cotton Sheets Essential Camping Gear
True to my word, I washed the sleeping bag. When it was dry, it was time to zip it and roll it up. And, since I’m ‘The Egyptian Cotton Sheets Queen’, I knew I had to include one. But, finding a good one for camping might prove harder. Then I remembered the twin set of Egyptian Cotton sheets that I had in college They were still soft and strong, but had a huge juice stain that I’d never been able to wash out completely. I knew Sarah wouldn’t feel so bad when she saw them.
As an added touch, I pinned a note to the sheet laid out inside the sleeping bag. *Sarah, I know that you said you didn’t want the Egyptian cotton sheets, but I couldn’t resist. And, so that you don’t feel bad about taking ‘good’ sheets, I’ve packed one that Jimmy stained with juice. If you don’t appreciate it, you can beat me up when you get back. 
*
When Sarah came to pick up the bag and other camping gear, she was glad that I’d also thought to include a camping light. She asked if there was anything else that she should include.
“Egyptian cotton sheets?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Goodbye now. I’m going camping.”
I laughed. “Have a good time, I want to hear all about it when you get back.”
The Final Verdict On Egyptian Cotton Sheets And Camping
It was a busy weekend for me and I mostly forgot about the Egyptian cotton sheets. I thought of Sarah a few times and smiled, knowing that she would either thank me or throttle me when she came back. Sunday night I got my answer.
Her name flashed on the caller id and I picked up. “How was the camping trip?”
“You!” She started, trying to sound angry, but I knew her and I could tell it wasn’t real.. “I hate you. And, I love you.” She started laughing. “You and your Egyptian cotton sheets. You couldn’t leave well enough alone could you?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I cleaned the mattress the way you said, helped sweep out the tent and dislodge about a dozen spiders – Blech! – then I went to roll out the sleeping bag. And what do I find? The note on the Egyptian cotton sheets that I told you I didn’t want. Well, I didn’t have time to do anything about it then, figuring I would pull them out later, so that I could get the ‘authentic’ camping experience. “
“And?”
She laughed. “That night I was so tired, I didn’t even remember the Egyptian cotton sheets until I kicked off my shoes and slid into the sleeping bag. And damn you – you were right. They were absolutely the thing that I needed at that moment. Who would have thought?”
“Well, me, for one. I’m telling you – Egyptian cotton sheets fit in everywhere – even camping. And now you know that it’s true.”
“Yes, once again, I have to admit that you are right. You’ve found another way to use Egyptian cotton sheets. You win.”
“Yep, but you’re still the princess that wouldn’t even have gone camping if I hadn’t pushed you. Egyptian cotton sheets or not, I can’t take away your crown.
“Nope,” she said matter of fact-ly and we both laughed.
Tags: camping, college, Egyptian cotton sheets, new adventures