War is hell.

At least, SCA wars can be hell. And we were only day-tripping, not camping. The main problem was the quixotic weather, which this particular site is known for. One year it was blazing hot and one year it was a total deluge. This year it was uncomfortably hot while the sun was up and unpleasantly cold after the sun went down, and the whole time we suffered Antarctica-type winds. This must be what the katabatic winds feel like. I expected to see several small tents (affectionately dubbed "earth pimples") go sailing away. The war field was dirt, not grass, so one army was constantly battling its way upwind through a dust storm. I ended up with dirt in places I didn't know I had places, and I was only watching the war, not fighting. Our side (the barony of Aquaterra who hired us) won the war. Unfortunately, the wind and heat took so much out of me that I don't think I've recovered yet, 24 hours later. I lost so much moisture, in spite of drinking lots of water and Gatorade, that I was sick earlier today and still feel kind of out of it. At least I didn't get a sunburn. Three cheers for SPF 48 and S's world-class lotion application skills.

Highlight of the day: I was sitting with S and a friend under the trees when around a tree trunk darted a juvenile squirrel! It was just a little thing, not quite a baby but not grown. It was so curious and silly, showing no fear of us as it flitted by. I've seen probably hundreds of squirrels in my life, but never a young one. An utterly charming creature! May the Protector-of-all-small-beasts bless it and watch over it.