I had set up camp a hundred yards from the pond. I figured the water would attract a few animals, and I wanted to be far enough away not to disturb the wildlife coming for a nocturnal drink.

I’ve been backpacking in the Ozarks for fifteen or so years. You would think that I would have remembered that water plus Spring equals peepers and other very noisy critters.

Nope.

As night closed in they became deafening. I have a sound meter app on my phone, and it recorded a maximum sound level of 80db. That’s the equivalent of loud music according to the app.

Fortunately, I always pack some earplugs (in case an opportunity for some target practice arises). Although I was reluctant to forego the loss of my ‘situational awareness,’ my desire for sleep won, and I put them in. Bliss.

They kept up their racket all night, only stopping at sunrise, at which point they handed the baton of noise to the woodpeckers, who busily drummed their way through the morning.

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