5.15.2011

The Joy of Camping

I didn't grow up in a family that enjoys camping. I appreciated that.
Yet, I was forced to go to girls camp. Hence the dislike of the activity.
I much rather sleep in my own bed.

However...
I enjoy sitting around a bonfire talking with friends.
I love smores.
I enjoy being out in nature...in the right circumstances.

Being married to a man who loves a good camp out means I get to experience things I'm not particularly fond of. It's a give/take relationship. I go camping. He is obligated to take me to the nutcracker every year starting now. It's a win win I suppose.

To "celebrate"-I use that term loosely here-finishing second year, the worst/hardest year, so glad that's behind us, the guys thought camping sounded like the best de-stressing outlet they could come up with. I had other ideas in mind. But, camping it was. So, I did my best to go with a smile on my face. Although, someone may tell you otherwise.

Although I may not love camping, there are a few things that make it a little more enjoyable for me.

1. Sleeping in a nicely made air mattress with a lake front view...

2. Watching John, ever so proudly, hang up his hammock to lounge around on, only to realize sometimes square knots are trickier to tie than one would think...

3. Chillaxing around the camp fire with friends on a brisk spring night...

4. Pretty views...

5. Eating heart-attack inducing foods...
 
 6. And having good friends around who make the idea of camping a whole lot better...

7. And lest I forget, watching John and his creativity in roasting marshmallows...

So, all in all, is camping a bad as I like to make it out to be. No! Would I care if I ever went camping again? Probably not. But I can't start giving in to camping so easily just yet, who knows what he'll try to succor me into next.

9 comments:

Xoxo Grandma said...

Beautiful views but the photo of John toasting his marshmello made me laugh. I'm glad you went with a smile on your face...did your attitude reflect that smile?

Rachelle said...

Can I just say that I love the fact that you used the word "chillaxing" in your post?! It was fun despite being cold.

AJ Candrian said...

Are those SHEETS on your air matress? HA! Whatever happened to sleeping bags? That almost made me laugh outloud when I noticed that. Also, I love your attire.

Lauren Kay said...

Looks like a lot of fun and I don't like camping that much either. Also, I HATE sleeping bags so I love that you have sheets on the air mattress. It really is the best way to go :)

Kristin said...

Sooo fun! I love a good camp out every once in a while!

Jennifer Lovell said...

Amy, isn't it fun to see how being married forces us to stretch? Jeff always makes me get in the swimming pool, even though I'd be happy to stay out. We both are happy to stay off of any dance floor, but we both like camping. It's all good! I'm glad you get to see the Nutcracker in exchange for camping--great deal!

Lovell Family said...

So funny!! I especially loved the square knot piece...made me laugh out loud!

Colie said...

Quote from some movie where a non-Caucasian guy vents his confusion about white people: "Here's what I don't understand about white people - why do they keep sleeping on the floor when a bed has been invented?"
I don't get camping either. I like smores, I like campfires, I like the outdoors. But I like a comfy bed even more.

A said...

Oh good for you Amy. Camping grows on you.