When I was little, I liked to crawl into small spaces and hide from the world. Being a child of the '80s, one favorite place was the soft case in which rental VCRs came. That's right. Back then people rented a VCR to play videotapes. It's archaic but true.

As I grew up, I no longer fit into the VCR case. That's when I discovered the magic of hiding in Wyoming's wide open spaces - exploring the foothills of Heart Mountain, floating the irrigation canal near Cody, watching a sunrise on Beck lake. Such times taught me the value of solitude, adventure and big brothers when I needed to be rescued.

Then I went to college and became a career woman. Now that I spend my days in a cubicle barely bigger than that VCR case, I find myself yearning again for the cloak of Wyoming's wilderness. Sometimes I just want to get away.

So, last weekend, I did. I grabbed my friend Sarah Lane, also an outdoorswoman in a career woman's body, and we hit the road. I felt the world fading as soon as I started cruising south on Interstate 25 to meet Sarah in Douglas. It faded more as I cranked the music and drummed on the steering wheel without reserve. It was gone by the time I turned off my cell phone and loaded my kayak into Sarah's Ford Ranger.

Guernsey reservoir, get ready for some girls who just gotta have fun.

***

Sarah and I once pitched a tent below Laramie Peak and scrambled to the top of its 10,272-foot summit the next day. (That's another good one-tank trip, by the way.) Sarah brings out my risky side. And, when necessary, I tamper her caution-to-the-wind ventures with small amounts of reason. It works well for us.

This trip we went somewhere that would appeal to a variety of women, ranging from avid explorers to history buffs to water sportsters to those who simply want to read a book on the beach. Guernsey State Park is located just north of Guernsey, and it takes about an hour and a half to drive there from Casper.

We got to the reservoir around 8 Friday night, itching to break out our kayaks. Then we learned something new. Every summer Guernsey Reservoir does a silt run. This is where the reservoir is emptied until the silt settles on the bottom. Then water is released from Glendo to flush the silt to Nebraska and line farmer's irrigation ditches. In short, a silt run means there's no water. This dampened the kayak dreams a bit. But a silt run also means there's no people. For any true Wyomingite who values her space, that is a good thing. (Still, we learned a good lesson. If you really want to play in the water, it's best to call ahead and find out if it will be there for you or if it's time for that yearly silt run.)

Sarah and I claimed a spot at the edge of one of Guernsey's seven campgrounds. It felt secluded and offered almost instant access to one of the beach areas while also being protected from the wind by a grove of trees. (It's site no. 4 at Sandy Cove, if you must know, and it requires a reservation May through Sept.) After setting up camp, we enjoyed one of the best sunsets I've ever watched. It became more beautiful with every passing moment before the sun flared fiery orange and dropped, totally exhausted, behind the bluffs.

The next day began with blueberry pancakes and caramel flavored coffee. Camping does not have to mean cold pork and beans from a hacked open can. Sarah and I agree food tastes better outdoors, cooked slow and easy over good conversation, so don't scrimp there.

The day continued with some mud sloshing when we decided to see if dragging our kayaks over the mostly exposed bottom of the reservoir to reach water was an option. Our efforts proved futile, but it was a great excuse to wiggle our toes in the mud. Plan B was a hike along some of the Civilian Conservation Corps trails to reach the Castle, a rock structure with a fireplace and spiral staircases built by the CCC. It was well worth it, and I would love to see the other CCC buildings around Guernsey.

As the sun rose higher, Sarah and I couldn't shake the desire for some kayak action. We booked it back to Douglas. We slid into the North Platte. And we had a great run.

***

Girl camping creates a nice juxtaposition: One minute it's woman make fire (grunt, grunt), and the next it's tracing names all curly-q into a sandy beach, feeling 10 again. It's giving in to an ice cream craving before even reaching the camp site. It's barbecued pizza and a bottle of beer brewed by Sarah's boyfriend (grunt, grunt).

That is what I love about it. Whether I go with a boyfriend or a gaggle of girlfriends, camping, fishing, hiking, exploring and kayaking wakes something up in me that gets put to sleep by being a responsible adult trying to make something of myself in this world. Not that being responsible is bad. But no one should have to be grown up all the time or have it all together or know it all - at any time.

So we did cartwheels on the beach.

We talked about relationships and theology and where we hope to be in five years.

We watched the sun set in silence, glad for that rare moment when we didn't have phone calls to make or schedules to keep.

It was a grand - and needed - getaway because somewhere out there under that starry host, I learned a few things.

Barbecued pizza is good even if it's burnt.

I go camping not so much to hide from the world, but to find my place in it.

And girls really do just want to have fun.

The tally:

Gas: $48.10

Average price per gallon: $4.015

Gallons used: 12.03

Food: $15.70

Mini frozen pizzas, blueberry pancake mix, plums, Fig Newtons, juice, water

Camp fee: $6

One site for one night

Other: $3.38

Ice cream cones in Guernsey

Destination: Guernsey State Park, southeastern Wyoming

* Mode of transport: A 1994 Toyota Camry from Casper to Douglas, a 2003 Ford Ranger truck from Douglas to Guernsey Reservoir

* Miles from Casper: 244 round trip

* How to get there: For the most direct route, shoot south on Interstate 25 to exit 92 (Torrington), which exits left. Go 15 miles east on U.S. Highway 26 toward Guernsey. Shortly before hitting town, you'll see a sign for Guernsey State Park. Turn north onto State Route 270 and the entrance/fee booth is about 2 miles in.

* Contact information: Call the office at (307) 836-2334 or the museum at (307) 836-2900. Go online to http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/ or http://www.wyomingtourism.org/cms/d/guernsey_state_park.php.

Reservoir attractions

Guernsey State Park has become a well-loved getaway for boating, camping, hiking and picnicking. It offers seven campgrounds with 142 campsites. There are also three day use areas and four boat ramps.

The park consists of 6,227 land acres and 2,375 water surface acres. The original capacity of the reservoir when it was first built in the mid-1920s was 73,819 acre feet. This has been reduced by silt deposits to about 46,000 acre feet.

The park provides some of the finest examples of Civilian Conservation Corps work in the Rocky Mountain region, including hiking trails, roads, bridges and buildings. Guernsey Museum, made of hand-hewn timbers, forged iron, split cedar and flagstone, is perched on a high cliff overlooking the water. The Castle is made of timber and rock and includes picnic tables, a giant fireplace, winding steps and a great view of the park on its upper deck.

The CCC planned and partially built an extensive network of trails around the reservoir. About ten miles of trails have been restored for use today. The starting point is at the turn-off for Brimmer Point, and there are several loops which provide scenic views and access to CCC buildings. The trails are moderately physically demanding.

Area attractions

Guernsey Reservoir and all its attractions and recreation opportunities are within a few miles of some great historical sites around Guernsey. All are worth some exploring.

The Oregon Trail ruts: The Oregon Trail was one of the primary routes used by pioneers heading west in the mid-1800s. I first saw the ruts left by the passing wagon trains on a field trip to Guernsey in fourth grade. They amazed me, especially since they towered over my head at that young age. My friend Sarah Lane had never seen the ruts, so we stopped there before finding our camping site. They seemed smaller but were still impressive. And, with a nice paved pathway, they're more accessible now. You can find the ruts just a 1/2 mile south of Guernsey off Highway 26.

Register Cliff: This was another historic site I explored in fourth grade. The cliff is full of the names of pioneers who etched their presence while passing through this area on the Oregon Trail. It also served as a record of who had made it that far for anyone who followed. Seeing the names and dates fired my imagination as I made up stories about the people behind the names. Sarah and I didn't make it to Register Cliff on this trip, but I recommend it anyway. You'll find it just southeast of Guernsey not far from the ruts.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site: As Sarah and I walked around the ruts, I told her my memories of Fort Laramie, a private fur trading fort built in 1834 that became a military post in 1849. Built along the Oregon Trail, it was witness to the Wild West: Indians, cowboys, traders, missionaries, soldiers, trappers, gold seekers and emigrants. I tried hard tack (a dry, cracker-like food eaten by soldiers) for the first - and last - time here when I was a kid. To get there, head east on Highway 26 from Guernsey. At the town of Fort Laramie, turn south onto State Highway 160. The fort is only 3 miles down. The entrance fee is $3.

Food for thought

I love food, and I love to cook. But, being a busy career woman, I find myself lacking the time to cook as much as I'd like. Since this camping trip was supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation, Sarah Lane and I decided to go simple on our food choices. Simple doesn't mean bad, though. We had a couple tasty - and easy - meals together.

Dinner:

I was in charge of dinner. Inspired by my brother who barbecues everything, I decided pizza would be good. I bought two mini frozen pizzas, threw them in a cooler with some plums and juice and called it good. Once we'd set up camp, Sarah and I built a fire in the pit. I wrapped two layers of foil around each pizza and set them on the grill. I left only a small hole for steam to escape so the cheese would melt. About 30 to 40 minutes later, they were done. A little too done on the bottom due to a fire flare and a distraction, but good all the same. If you try it, just keep a close eye on it.

Breakfast:

Sarah made breakfast. She brought a box of blueberry pancake mix that required only water. She fired up her Coleman gas grill, mixed the pancakes, poured them in a folding skillet and, voila, yummy breakfast. She also brought her French press to make coffee. All she had to do was boil some water, put the coffee grounds in the press and let it brew. The rest of the day we snacked on plums and Fig Newtons.

Gourmet dinner:

The last time Sarah and I went camping, I wasn't as busy. That time I made a great Italian dish on the fire. I prepared it beforehand, and it went something like this:

* Cook a couple chicken breasts before leaving. Dice them into bite size pieces.

* Cut up a couple yellow summer squash, a couple zucchini and a couple tomatoes.

* Boil some pasta noodles (not spaghetti, but those small curly ones or the wagon wheels) until al dente, or firm to the bite.

* Place all the above ingredients into two foil pie plates.

* Add oregano, parsley, pepper and basil, to taste. The premixed Italian seasoning works, too.

* Add enough Italian dressing to almost cover the ingredients.

* Cover the foil plates with foil and transport to the campsite.

* Build a fire, set the plates on top and grill for about an hour. Eat straight from the plate.

Gas: $48.10

Average price per gallon: $4.015

Gallons used: 12.03

Food: $15.70

Mini frozen pizzas, blueberry pancake mix, plums, Fig Newtons, juice, water

Camp fee: $6

One site for one night

Other: $3.38

Ice cream cones in Guernsey ]]->

* Mode of transport: A 1994 Toyota Camry from Casper to Douglas, a 2003 Ford Ranger truck from Douglas to Guernsey Reservoir

* Miles from Casper: 244 round trip

* How to get there: For the most direct route, shoot south on Interstate 25 to exit 92 (Torrington), which exits left. Go 15 miles east on U.S. Highway 26 toward Guernsey. Shortly before hitting town, you'll see a sign for Guernsey State Park. Turn north onto State Route 270 and the entrance/fee booth is about 2 miles in.

* Contact information: Call the office at (307) 836-2334 or the museum at (307) 836-2900. Go online to http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/ or http://www.wyomingtourism.org/cms/d/guernsey_state_park.php.

Reservoir attractions

Guernsey State Park has become a well-loved getaway for boating, camping, hiking and picnicking. It offers seven campgrounds with 142 campsites. There are also three day use areas and four boat ramps.

The park consists of 6,227 land acres and 2,375 water surface acres. The original capacity of the reservoir when it was first built in the mid-1920s was 73,819 acre feet. This has been reduced by silt deposits to about 46,000 acre feet.

The park provides some of the finest examples of Civilian Conservation Corps work in the Rocky Mountain region, including hiking trails, roads, bridges and buildings. Guernsey Museum, made of hand-hewn timbers, forged iron, split cedar and flagstone, is perched on a high cliff overlooking the water. The Castle is made of timber and rock and includes picnic tables, a giant fireplace, winding steps and a great view of the park on its upper deck.

The CCC planned and partially built an extensive network of trails around the reservoir. About ten miles of trails have been restored for use today. The starting point is at the turn-off for Brimmer Point, and there are several loops which provide scenic views and access to CCC buildings. The trails are moderately physically demanding.

Area attractions

Guernsey Reservoir and all its attractions and recreation opportunities are within a few miles of some great historical sites around Guernsey. All are worth some exploring.

* The Oregon Trail ruts: The Oregon Trail was one of the primary routes used by pioneers heading west in the mid-1800s. I first saw the ruts left by the passing wagon trains on a field trip to Guernsey in fourth grade. They amazed me, especially since they towered over my head at that young age. My friend Sarah Lane had never seen the ruts, so we stopped there before finding our camping site. They seemed smaller but were still impressive. And, with a nice paved pathway, they're more accessible now. You can find the ruts just a 1/2 mile south of Guernsey off Highway 26.

* Register Cliff: This was another historic site I explored in fourth grade. The cliff is full of the names of pioneers who etched their presence while passing through this area on the Oregon Trail. It also served as a record of who had made it that far for anyone who followed. Seeing the names and dates fired my imagination as I made up stories about the people behind the names. Sarah and I didn't make it to Register Cliff on this trip, but I recommend it anyway. You'll find it just southeast of Guernsey not far from the ruts.

* Fort Laramie National Historic Site: As Sarah and I walked around the ruts, I told her my memories of Fort Laramie, a private fur trading fort built in 1834 that became a military post in 1849. Built along the Oregon Trail, it was witness to the Wild West: Indians, cowboys, traders, missionaries, soldiers, trappers, gold seekers and emigrants. I tried hard tack (a dry, cracker-like food eaten by soldiers) for the first - and last - time here when I was a kid. To get there, head east on Highway 26 from Guernsey. At the town of Fort Laramie, turn south onto State Highway 160. The fort is only 3 miles down. The entrance fee is $3.

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