Camping is quite an ordeal for me. For one, you can't plan for EVERYTHING, which drives my type A personality nuts. On the other hand, it's a great exercise for using the skill of improvisation. You learn to make do with what you have.
It should also be stated (even though I'm pretty sure it's obvious) that I'm a Yuppie. I'm "city-fied". I don't really do dirt and outside and bugs and bug spray (it's the WORST). So, voluntarily sleeping outside (well, in a tent...) is a big step for this Yuppster. Mmmkay?
Below are a few lessons I learned on my brief camping trip, along with a few pictures, for your viewing pleasure. :)
//1 Bring a long lighter.
When you are told to bring a lighter, it means a long handled lighter and not a mini-purple cigarette lighter. It might make starting the fire a little complicated when your boyfriend is trying to light kindling. Just saying.
//2 Bring a change of clothes.
I know, this one is kind of a given...but my last minute camping advice givers...cough...mom and sister...cough...told me not to bring extra clothes because that's not what people do. They just sleep in what they wear and wear it the next day. Well, I kinda did that. Except, I brought different clothes to sleep in. I know, I know...I just planned so much for the little things that I completely overlooked the big things. Sigh.
//3 When choosing a sleeping bag, pretty doesn't always mean warm.
I chose my sleeping bag solely for the color. It's pink. And soft. And definitely not appropriate for temps in the 40s at night. Yeah.
//4 Bring clothes for every type of weather.
Pack an outfit for July, an outfit for January and an outfit for October. Then I'll be covered for the different times of the day and the different weather I encountered.
//5 Dollar store flashlights stink.
Well, I mean, it worked, technically. But it wasn't bright. Note to self: get a stinking LED flashlight. It just makes everything brighter and better.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. Lezzbehonest, I'm not so down with the always dirty thing...but the campsite we stayed at had a VERY clean bathhouse. Is it bad to still shower everyday when you're "camping"? I think that will be how it has to be for me. I can't stand not being clean. But that's another...cough...OCD...issue.
But, I did enjoy camping a lot. So much, in fact, that I'm planning on going again in a few weeks! Yay!
Linking up all my Weekend Shenanigans with Sami and Meg for Mingle Monday!
Happy Monday!
~April
The pictures look beautiful. Glad you had a pleasant experience!
ReplyDeletehttp://styledlikearockstar.blogspot.com
i'm just popping over here from cuppakim's and well, i love you!
ReplyDeletei shower everyday when i camp (bring a hairdryer and make up and all that jazz, too).
and is your tent on a platform? that's cool.
found you from Mingle Monday - so impressed you braved camping in 40 degree weather! we are usually out there when it's 70-80-90 and I still hate it!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Mingle Monday...looks like you had fun!
ReplyDeleteI always have fun while camping, but all the work to get to the actual camping usually ensures it doesn't happen. That and the inability to shower. Ick.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lot of fun! I haven't been in years.
ReplyDeleteFor a yuppie, you did fine on our 1st camping outing. Be prepaired! We WILL do some fishing on the next trip!
ReplyDelete-M