Love for Nature and Camping made easy :)

 Dear Soul,

 “Beauty lies in the simplest of things: Think Right always”

 Who doesn’t like holidays with long drives, hiking in valleys and mountains, playing in snow/beaches, watching sunsets/stars, lake fun or just enjoying silence in Nature?? A weekend of Camping is a good relaxing break from routine with no pressure of planning or packing and best way to discover and explore new places. Luckily, being in California and a family who appreciate outdoors most, we have several destinations close by to enjoy year around. We have evolved as campers over the last decade growing from a couple to having two kids (however the love remained the same) and went on several short and sweet nearby and some longer international camping trips (RV and tent/car). Since some of my friends are interested too and summer is around the corner, I thought this is a good time to make it easy for them here. 

Book:

In addition to national parks/forest lands(recreation.gov) and state parks (reservecalifornia.com), there are several other resources to find and book campgrounds: regional parks, county parks, private (KOA.com, hipcamp.com or just google for “campground”), hike/backpack camps for more adventurous spirits. There are also first come first serve options in many campgrounds, so we can take advantage of them if we reach early, for last minute trips. Weather is very important for everyone to have a fun experience in camping, there are quite a few trips in the past year that we canceled due to weekend rains or bad forecasts.

Must pack:

We have a spreadsheet that includes my shopping/packing list which makes it easy each time, you can tailor make one according to the then needs of your family.

• Food and drinks: Breakfast cereal/croissants, Lunch sub or hoagie sandwiches, Elaborate dinners with rice, tacos, noodles etc. and desserts
• Cut/Cook/clean: cutting board, knife, utensils, dish soap, trash bags, plates/napkins/cutlery
• Camping equipment: Tent, tarp, stove, fuel(propane), cooler, mattresses, picnic blanket, lighter and firewood, lamp
• Hiking essentials: flashlights, hiking sticks
• Luggage: seasonal wear, swim wear, toiletries, towels
• Travel aids: A good book, first aid, games, kids’ activities

 In camping:

• Setting up tent early in the day is easier with sunlight and gives plenty of time to relax and explore around/make dinners, campfires and smores. On other days of hiking, we return early to enjoy what campground has to offer.
• Food tastes so much better, as I get to enjoy my DH’s cooking with my DD1 helping and DD2 feeding herself, so I get to really relax.
• We go to bed early and align ourselves with Circadian cycle so Mornings start early and fresh.
•  This is the best time to enjoy company with oneself, family, old friends or new ones made with campsite neighbors with so many stories to share around campfire.
•  Since we are engaging in nature all day instead of technology, thoughts become slow and so clarity and creativity are biproducts. So, I make sure to take notes or write/record my experiences in phone.

In short, camping for me is all good things wrapped up in one, so please do definitely give it a try. Now off to enjoy our lake camping for the long weekend, see you all again soon 😊