Camping was never part of my childhood, but I recently embarked on a 17-day road trip with some seasoned camping enthusiasts. This journey included nine nights spent at five different campgrounds, giving me plenty of insights into why camping might just be one of the wildest activities modern humans engage in.
1. Restroom Realities
Our campground in Yosemite promised flushing toilets. However, the truth was a bit murkier; the closest ones were a seven-minute trek from our campsite. In urgent situations, we faced the pit toilets nestled in the heart of the group sites. If you’re not familiar, these are essentially fancy outhouses. They start off bearable after a cleaning but can quickly turn foul. With around 80 campers sharing just two pit toilets, the air quality was less than ideal. Thankfully, those pit toilets had hand sanitizer, while the flush toilets were devoid of soap—finding soap in campground bathrooms is akin to winning the lottery. Lesson learned: always pack soap!
1a. Pit Toilets After Dark
Let’s continue the restroom saga. Using pit toilets at night is a whole different adventure. Armed with a flashlight, it felt like a scene from a horror flick.
2. The Bug Factor
While we were fortunate to encounter a dry summer with minimal mosquitoes, the first night left me dreaming of being devoured by imaginary bugs in my sleeping bag. Even without visible bugs, the thought of sleeping outdoors made me feel like there were critters crawling all over me. And, oh, the flies in those pit toilets? A real bonus! Yes, I might be a bit spoiled, but flies and a lack of soap? Crazy, right?
3. Tent Life
Let’s talk about tents. They’re a quirky choice for sleeping when you consider that at home, we lock our doors to keep out the unknown. Yet, in the woods, we willingly surround ourselves with strangers, relying on flimsy nylon and a zipper for protection. The entire time, I was plotting a fictional murder mystery in my mind—“The zipper opened slowly…”
4. Wildlife Encounters
Cute little raccoons and squirrels invaded our makeshift kitchen at night. Imagine the chaos if a bear or mountain lion strolled through a neighborhood—they’d cause an uproar! But while camping, these creatures roam freely, and we’re left with just a thin barrier between them and our sleeping children. Total insanity!
5. Campsite Companions
The nylon barrier also means you get to hear your neighbors all night. One lady had a cough that could scare off bears, while another family brought along two dogs named Max and Bella, who were constantly called back to order. There was even a girl with a guitar, but someone also thought it would be fun to bring an air horn. Seriously, who does that?
6. Campfire Smoke
In everyday life, we typically avoid second-hand smoke, but camping transforms us into smoke enthusiasts. I inhaled enough campfire smoke to rival a pack of cigarettes. No matter how many times you shift your seat, the smoke finds you. Some people claim to love that campfire scent, but I don’t think I’m one of them.
7. Embracing Dirt
Don’t be fooled by those picture-perfect families in camping catalogs. Camping is messy. You can’t escape the dirt, and shower facilities often come with a price. After four days at home, my feet still bear the marks of our wilderness adventures. And the kids? They were like walking dirt magnets, just like Pig Pen from Peanuts.
8. S’mores Shenanigans
What’s camping without s’mores? Let’s add sticky faces and fingers to the mix. We encourage our kids to indulge in these messy treats while surrounded by dirt, then attempt to put them to bed in a tent. Crazy, right?
9. The Fun Factor
Despite my complaints, camping turned out to be genuinely enjoyable. Breathing in fresh air, surrounded by trees and the beauty of nature, was invigorating. We were treated to a starry sky and even spotted deer at Crater Lake, a sight much more magical than the ones in our backyard. The challenges we faced only strengthened our family bond, and stepping outside our comfort zones was refreshing. So, perhaps I’m one of those adventurous souls who secretly loves camping—just as long as I pack my soap and confirm the toilet situation first!
In summary, camping is a wild rollercoaster ride through nature that brings both challenges and joys. While it can be messy, uncomfortable, and filled with quirky encounters, it also creates unforgettable memories and strengthens family bonds, making it an experience worth embracing.