Reply #20: That's actually an awfully nice ritual for any camping trip.

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I often think back on my kid's Cub Scout experiences, and - wouldn't it be nice if they added a little touch of that to the camping weekends. They were rather vigilant, though, on the philosophy of leaving the campground better than you found it, which I always found quite admirable.

But it's REALLY magnificent to ask permission of the many spirits and beings and creatures already present - who are masters of that turf every bit as much as we are, and have as much right to be there as we do, and whose spirits were there first. Certainly keeps things in their proper perspective, and highly spiritual and reverent. It's an excellent way to keep a sense of reverence about the world and our place in it - NOT as the kings and queens who can own and run amok however we feel like, but as fellow travelers and life forms who share this lovely planet. We are partners and participants and guardians. We ARE at the top of the food chain. But with privilege comes responsibility. As we say around our house: "much blessed, much obligated."