Summer Summer Summer
Summer is finally here, and I know I cannot be the only one who cries a little inside when I see anything ‘back to school’. It’s August people, and summer isn’t over. I don’t understand why people are so eager for it to be school season again. Summer is really what most of us wait for every year, I know I do. During winter I cannot wait for the temperature when I can wear sleeveless shirts, and feel the sun hug me throughout the day. In the spirit of summer not being over, and having a couple of more weeks of it, I plan to do something about it, and take charge of making sure I make this one a good one.
First off, camping. I know, I know, not for all of us, but for those who can dish it out, and deal with the dirtiness, it can be a magical time. Whether it’s in the mountains in the cold, or on the beach in the summer it can definitely feel like a step back in time. I should clarify; when I say camping I don’t mean fancy RV with AC, shower, television and running toilet. (Granted, it must be WONDERFUL.) I mean a fabric, flimsy tent with campsite showers and stinky public bathroom. Camping has a sense of adventure, and dirtiness to it that you can’t really get anywhere else. It’s basically taking almost every household convenience and throwing it down the drain; who knew it could be fun.
I highly suggest making a list of items to take with you because most campsites aren’t going to have a 711 next door. Coming from my own experience of making said list, I can’t count how many times I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment of something necessary that would have been unpleasant or difficult to get at midnight in the middle of nowhere. Finding a doable campsite is definitely a to-do after figuring out where you would like to visit. Do they have bathrooms, showers, and other amenities you would like to enjoy? Are they worth their price, or too expensive? Then decide how caveman you’d like to get. Are you going to cook on a fire, or the campsites provided grill, or just pick up food for every meal? Planning the meals is a huge deal when you’re camping, and you kind of have to work around that. Choosing to cook involves more supplies, as well as room taken up in your vehicle, and tent. Not to mention making sure everything stays fresh and cold/hot. On the other hand, eating out every meal gets pricey.
Around here campsites seem pretty abundant after a quick google search, so I’m sure anyone could find a good one. I know it may seem like camping is an awful thing to do, and I’m saying it isn’t fun. It is, but it can also be a lot of hard work, and out of your comfort range in the middle of summer. All of it is worth it when you wake at dawn, all sticky and hot, and remember it is an adventure, and it is supposed to be sweaty, dirty fun. Waking with the sun will happen, no matter what time you go to bed by the way. I remember being a little girl, and going camping with family and friends near a river. To this day it is one of the most prominent and fun memories I have.
I’m talking summer, so camping on the beach is the deal. I am excited to stay up late eating, drinking maybe, enjoying the heat and nature. With camping there comes a sense of freedom, and excitement from what might happen; I guess that’s actually just adventure in itself. Knowing I’ll be on or by the beach is awesome for me. You have the water after the sun goes down, and the lapping of the waves whenever you’re ready for sleep, if you decide to sleep. My ideal campsite would have sun heated showers, and a minimal smelling bathroom. So after awaking to the sun and heat, I imagine either jumping immediately into a source of water whether it be shower, ocean, or pool. It’s summer and camping, you’re supposed to get dirty. It’s up to you how dirty you want to be though. Camping in a tent sort of forces you to stay out and do more. Tents don’t have air conditioner, and at the most only a fan that you bring along to blow hot air around you. I’d also like to think it puts you in a different mindset of doing more and different things than you thought you would. I’d like to say camping might also make you more grateful for your air conditioner, and home, but we’re Americans, and we’re quite spoiled.
Summer also seems there’s much more to do than in winter. The patience and surprise of fishing. Water parks and theme parks are open. Pools are a summer staple as well. Relaxing by the beach, or riding boogy boards catching waves. Aquariums seem more magical in summer, partly from being able to get in the cool air, but also it all seems more beachy. The zoo is always fun, seeing wild animals will probably never get old. No matter what activity you decide to do, or not do, I’m sure if you accept camping for what it is, it will be some bit of enjoyable.
I plan to take every bit of what is said here, and carry it with me on my camping adventure. I’m going to stay open minded about what might happen, and deal with the heat whether it is suffocating or not. Summer is supposed to be the time of year where we have fun, and I’m going to do it. I’ve kept summer waiting long enough, and before it’s gone I want to make sure I enjoyed it and created memories from it.