Ten pm and the RV campground is still humming with activity

There’s a general reluctance to move inside. Bedtime is put on hold

The scorching heat of the day has finally cleared leaving behind a velvety soft breeze perfumed with wood smoke

Most unusual is the number of young children still up

bicycles are abandoned in the grass

Now into a different game: flashlight tag

Foot soldiers on reconnaissance shining their torches, squeals and protests

retreating troops escaping through a labyrinthine of motorhomes and trailers

free in the warm evening air

Lawn chairs are pulled around and bonfires spring up at every site

Low voices and laugher float – neighbours silhouetted in the glow

embers explode

wild sparks burst out

free in the warm evening air

The dog and I head out to escape this mini metropolis

straining our eyes, we follow the dark outline of a path leading to the edge of a large meadow

stillness except for a chorus of peepers, white noise in the calm

More flickering lights, smaller this time

Hundreds of blinking fireflies dance just above the grasses.

free in the warm evening air