I am out at night “camping” a lot. I would guess that I have spent as much time in the open, either on the ground or the back of an open pickup bed as I have in a tent. I have been awaken by range cattle surrounding the truck or wandering through camp more than a few times. Love it.
But then you have guts. I don’t. I would have adored having your courage and lack of fear of the unknown. It’s something I admire so greatly. I read my grandfather’s stories of prospecting and it’s like reading science fiction. A world I can barely imagine. The nights must have been beautiful where you were.