I recently wrote about wanting to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, in hopes of breaking out of a mundane mold I seem to be in. Well, since I haven’t found anyone whose willing to fork out the cash, to strap me to a Mark Wahlberg (think ’91 Calvin Klein ads) look-a-like sky diver, I’ve decided to try camping.
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was talking about wanting to do something for her up-coming birthday. We were going back and forth with ideas, and then immediately cancelling them out, because we are some broke-ass Mommas right now. It’s somewhat difficult to “go cheap” when planning a spa weekend with the girls.
“Lets go camping!!”
My dear friend is a pretty brilliant chick. It was a cheap, adventurous idea.
We were so gung ho and pumped, thinking about leaving everything behind for a weekend. We decided that going camping with a bunch of women will be epic. We will eat like queens, sleep on air mattresses and be prepared for the apocalypse.
If I’m being honest though, I’m a teensy bit nervous about this trip. I am a country girl – yes. I am not dainty. However, I am not the tough-it-out-if-I-don’t-have-to type.
I can forego showering for a few days; however, I prefer to poop in a toilet. I highly enjoy running water and being the supervisor of things like say, putting up a tent or chopping wood for a fire. This is kind of a big deal to me. It will push me back to basics and out of my comfort zones.
It’s not just the physical challenge of it (don’t laugh!) that I am looking forward to. I feel like I have a lot going on in my head these days – more than just contemplating that elusive “balance”, I keep reading exists.
I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to push more in the directions I want to go – even if it scares me. I want to do more things that make other people say, “Really? You did/said that?” I feel like I am trying to wiggle out of my shell, but need some convincing and the right opportunity.
Thinking about this camping trip is loosening that shell. I’m excited, intrigued and a bit nervous – just the right ingredients for a little soul searching, boost of confidence and FUN that I need.
I’m looking forward to re-connecting by disconnecting. I want to eat good food cooked in a (semi) primal way and drink good wine. I want to talk about deep shit and maybe have a drunken Kumbaya moment with the girls. I want to come home refreshed, with a little more self confidence, slightly hung over and laughing randomly at the memories made.
I don’t want it to rain. I need to figure out how a percolator works or I will be a mean bitch in the morning.
It’s time to take off my Mom hats and put on my big girl panties. I honestly can’t wait to pack up the truck with things that I may or may not know what to do with and head in to the woods. I’m going with a group of down to earth, fun women, that I know will mix very well with cocktails and conversation. They also have much more camping experience so don’t worry, I just may make it out alive.
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Starting this week, Yeah Write is turning in to a family-free zone. All stories entailing kids, husbands, wives, sisters, uncles, etc, are off limits. I was intrigued. Once I sat down to write, I was stumped! It’s amazing to me how much of my thoughts, even in my writing, is devoted to my family. If you want to learn more about how Yeah Write works, click on the badge 🙂
This was such a cool post – I have done things that required me to drop mommy hats and wear big girl well, petite girl stuff… I should write about that.
Yes… You should! Thanks for reading.
I think this is a FANTASTIC idea! My favorite part about camping is not wearing a watch. The hours just stretch on when I don’t have any idea what time it is. My advice to you: try a French press instead of a percolator. We don’t camp without one. 🙂
Hmmmm. What is this press from France you talk about??? I’ll be googling that.
I’m very much looking forward to time moving slowly with minimal demands. I don’t wear a watch and my cell will be pretty worthless where we are going so….I see lots of eating and gabbing and maybe a hike or two in my future. 🙂
This is a pretty typical one: http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-1928-16US4-Chambord-Coffee-Press/dp/B00005LM0S It makes absolutely delicious coffee. We don’t go camping without ours!
You may have just saved my mornings!!! I owe you big…thanks for the link. 🙂
Here at yeah write, we provide writing prompts, constructive criticism, and coffee-making advice. All in a day’s work! 😉
I knew I liked you guys for a reason 🙂
I miss camping with my dad growing up. It was the best!! I think going with girlfriends (and cocktails) would be amazing. Although, I have to agree with you about the toilet. Great post. Good luck on the trip!
I’m so hung up on that whole toilet thing! Lol…not enough to not go though. Pun not intended… But I suppose funny.
Hahaha! Priceless.
I tried camping once…..ONCE!
Ha! I used to “camp” when I was in highschool but that usually consisted of drinking in the woods until the sun came up and then whoever was the most sober driving us home…to eat everything in the cupboards and then CRASH! I’m thinking I won’t be still drinking when the sun comes up this time around. Momma needs her sleep and lost her tolerance level a loooong time ago.
The one time I went as an adult I came home with so many chigger bites I vowed to never again leave the land of air conditioning and video games.
hahahaha…wuss. just kidding. I fight with the mosquitos all summer long. Little bastards ruin summertime!
Yes!
And have you ever had chigger bites? OMG, it’s horrible.
Now I have to google chiggers. so….no.
The bury themselves in your skin….ew.
whuuuu??? Please don’t share anymore. I may never leave my house again.
Awwwww…..who’s the wuss now???
Tushay…tushay.
😉
I live in the woods. In a house. So that I can pretend camp all the time. Best wishes to you – I too have an affinity for running water and toilets, but sometimes a little shot of nature is the best medicine.
I too live in a house, in the woods but never really thought about how close to camping it really is. Lol. I will always live near trees and away from busy-ness. I got this!
Sounds awesome! What a great escape. Enjoy it. I grew up going camping, but since I moved to the east coast where it can rain any time I haven’t really tried it. Not sure if camping works with babies, though. Maybe when
Sounds awesome! What a great escape. Enjoy it. I grew up going camping, but since I moved to the east coast where it can rain any time I haven’t really tried it. Not sure if camping works with babies, though. Maybe when
Your camping trip has got me all excited!
Me too!…details to come.
Have fun!
I most definitely will 🙂
I’ve camped without guys before, it’s pretty fun. No one needs to prove their manliness to the wilderness so you can just have a good time doing your own thing! 🙂
Yes! Can’t wait 🙂
I have a just-say-no approach to camping. I really, really hope it doesn’t rain, that there are no bugs, that someone brings really good snacks, and that the wine flows. Look forward to reading about it! xoxo
If it rains I’m out, I’m not that hard core. Bugs…eh.. I can deal with most. And food/drinks???? We are so hooking ourselves up, don’t you worry!
Good luck with the camping trip! I’m not a fan of sleeping outside or in a sleeping bag or on an air mattress……I look forward to hearing about your adventures.
We’ll see how I deal with sleeping outside. Air mattress and tent or not…it’s still freakin’ outside. We shall see 🙂
Have fun! You’ll do just fine.
I’m sure I will…the alcohol will help 🙂
You so remind me of my friend who I’m dragging for a Himalayan trek. I figure if she started writing, she’d post something very similar. Great piece, I really hope your camping trip goes great! 🙂
This sounds like so much fun! I haven’t been camping in AGES
We aren’t even going until June and we are already making lists and are on camping-ideas overload. Think we’re a bit anxious to run away from home?? 🙂
Ha!! At least you’ll be prepared
Have a blast!
Of course, you’re going to have to find more and more adventurous things to do as your comfort zone widens.
hehehe
I have a few ideas in mind. Not to be cliché but I have my own version of the bucket list going on over here. …just need a bucket load of cash to do most of them. I’m really hoping to cross zip-lining off the list this summer. Like a grown-ass, high up, make me pee my pants a little kind of zip line 🙂
Baby wipes, bring baby wipes. They’re like little showers and they can make shitting in the woods a little less traumatic. 🙂 Mostly, just give into it. I’m always fine once the initial layer of grime sets in. Great post. Made me feel like I should go grab my sleeping bag. Have a great time!
I’m sure most women there will have baby wipes in their purses…without even thinking about it. 🙂 And thanks!
Very true. I think I may still have baby wipes in my purse. Ha! On second thought, the baby wipes may bring too much reality on the trip. Do they have wipes that smell like something other than a baby? Maybe those “personal” wipes. They smell sort of lab floral. That may be better. You don’t want the baby smell to ruing the Girls Kicking Ass in the Wilderness theme.
Ha! So very true.
i’ve never been camping before. i, too, am a city girl who is a product of comfort and first world amenities. (but one trip to southeast asia changes that real quick…)
after your trip, please do blog about it, look forward to reading about your adventures. =)
Will do!
I hope you have a great time.
Thanks!! Me too 🙂
This sounds fantastic. I hope you have a blast and tell us all about it. We went camping loads as kids, all around Ireland and then later in France, but we had a trailer tent and the campsites had amenities (nice clean toilets etc). We brought the kids to France last year and stayed in a mobile home on the west coast. The kids loved it. They want to go again this year but we just can’t afford a holiday this year. My mad brothers and their kids are going to camp in my back garden for a few nights instead! Something to look forward to. :o)
I love camping!! I haven’t been in so long! 😦
Wow, looks like Yeah Write is making a lot of changes. Maybe someday I’ll get to come back. Hope all is well your way, mama!
I miss seeing you over at the Yeah Write!
The sun is starting to shine and I can be barefoot…life is good my way 🙂 The only problem is life speeds up this time of year, so of course my writing has taken a major back seat.