We awoke with frost on our backpacks. As we brought the fire back to life our hands shook from the cold. We were both either 11 or 12 and I think it was our first winter camping trip without adults. There was not a budget for store bought kit back then. Our supplies consisted of school backpacks, ragged blankets, and the odd bit of army surplus gear. Next to the fire sat a 10 inch cast iron skillet I had been foolish enough to carry. The night before I spent nearly an entire box of matches getting the fire going. Our last match encouraged me to get it right. We spread out one blanket to lie on and used a couple others for cover. During the night we huddled under the same blankets trying to stay warm while listening to the wind and coyotes and the coals. I remember watching the stars disappearing as the front rolled in.