If you could bring only 1 thing

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Here's the scenario:

You are going to a desert island for a very long time. Food, water and shelter will not be a problem, but there is nothing else on the island but trees and sandy beaches. No power whatsoever, and no possibility of it. No other people or animals are there.

What one thing (as much if it as you want), do you decide to bring?

Bringing a person, a pet, or any light- or power- producing item (generators, solar panels, flashlight, candles, matches, etc., etc. ) are not allowed. No boat-building materials or tools. No flares, etc.

Please no clever answers to get around this rule. I am essentially looking for what one item you would bring to comfort you over a very long, very lonely, time.

Side note: What made me think of this, was a story about Hurricane Ike. People who refused to leave Galveston were interviewed. One woman said that she put a few things in a plastic baggie to protect them during the storm.

What precious items were in that baggie? Not family pictures or batteries. Not food.

She decided to protect some cash, her credit cards, and... her cigarettes.

A telescope.

[Gunny]

Given the parameters, one would not survive. Intellectual idealism is not a means of physical survival.

[Abbey Marie]

A telescope.

I like this idea!

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I like this idea!

Yeah I mean if you're stranded on an island out in the middle of nowhere away from city lights, the star gazing would have to be amazing.

I have a friend that used to have this little farm way up on the ridge away from lights, just pitch black at night, and we'd have cook outs and get togethers up there at night, and when you stepped away from the campfire to relieve your bladder, I've never seen the Milky Way in such splendor. It was amazing. A telescope up there would have been awesome too.

Venus is the brightest object in the night sky other than the moon, and I look at look at that with just binoculars and it's cool. Unfortunately I don't have a good telescope, but I've often thought of buying one. My older brother made a telescope one time. Got it as a kit and had to polish the mirror himself, a reflector telescope. He did a good job because we star gazed with that for years, until he got a new refractor. Endless fun.

[Abbey Marie]

Yeah I mean if you're stranded on an island out in the middle of nowhere away from city lights, the star gazing would have to be amazing.

I have a friend that used to have this little farm way up on the ridge away from lights, just pitch black at night, and we'd have cook outs and get together up there at night, and when you stepped away from the campfire to relieve your bladder, I've never seen the Milky Way in such splendor. It was amazing. A telescope up there would have been awesome too.

Venus is the brightest object in the night sky other than the moon, and I look at look at that with just binoculars and it's cool. Unfortunately I don't have a good telescope, but I've often thought of buying one. My older brother made a telescope one time. Got it as a kit and had to polish the mirror himself, a reflector telescope. He did a good job because we star gazed with that for years, until he got a new refractor. Endless fun.

Also for spotting whales and ships in the far distance?

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Also for spotting whales and ships in the far distance?

Absolutely... so you know when to light your signal fire...

[SassyLady]

My place is so far away from town it's pitch black here every night except during full moon. I'll lay outside on chaise lounge and marvel at stars. However, wish I knew which ones were satellites. It's like ... where did that star come from?

[aboutime]

My place is so far away from town it's pitch black here every night except during full moon. I'll lay outside on chaise lounge and marvel at stars. However, wish I knew which ones were satellites. It's like ... where did that star come from?

Now, as you describe marveling at ALL THOSE STARS. Maybe you understand how us Old Sailors could miss going to sea. People need to see the Night Sky like you do...at sea, on a clear, moonless night. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. Honestly!

WHY I MISS THE QUIET BEAUTY SO MUCH!

[NT'sGirl]

Paint, brushes and stuff to paint on. Pencils, paper to write on. Any books all books, I have spent may days with out people I never got bored. After a month you start making friends with the bugs.

[revelarts]

Here's the scenario:
You are going to a desert island for a very long time. Food, water and shelter will not be a problem, but there is nothing else on the island but trees and sandy beaches. No power whatsoever, and no possibility of it. No other people or animals are there.

Given the parameters, one would not survive. Intellectual idealism is not a means of physical survival.

What's missing for survival here?
Outside of the isolation playing on one's mind.