Camping as Spiritual Experience

Love nest. 

This past weekend

Paul and I went camping

with 100 of my friends.

100 friends?!?!?

Yes 100 friends.

Every year a big group

of my people

heads out to Lake Piru

for 3 to 5 days

of heat and dirt and 

water fun.

I have avoided it

for 5 years strong

as it has always conflicted

with a weekend retreat 

I take in Malibu.

My retreat consists

of a private room 

at a peaceful monastery,

a massage,

and delicious meals 

prepared on a regular schedule.

Weekend in Malibu > Weekend in Piru

This year the retreat was moved

to the third weekend in August

so I had no excuse to miss

the annual camp out.

Admittedly I was resistant.

I didn't want to be hot.

I didn't want to be dirty.

I didn't want to overwhelm my guy

with having to meet and hangout

with a gazillion new people.

I hadn't been camping in 10+ years 

and it seemed

uncomfortable.

On the other hand,

Paul is a camper.

He has taken Lucas 

numerous times over the years

and also enjoys annual trips 

with his brother and friends.

I would venture to say

it is his preferred form of vacation.

Last week I came by his house

and he had started 

to get the gear together.

He had also begun writing

our "menu"for the weekend 

and beyond being adorable,

the gesture seemed to ignite a flicker

of excitement in me.

But only a flicker.

Then on Thursday we researched

Dutch oven recipes

and hit up Target.

By Friday I was pumped.

Lucas was in Arizona visiting family

with Paul's mom

and James was with his dad

so the trip was just us.

We left in rush hour traffic because

I couldn't get out of work any earlier

and had to stop twice because

there was a need for beverages and snacks (him)

and for new sunglasses (me).

Two hours later we made it

and started our weekend.

We cooked a tri-tip on the campfire (success!)

and attempted a pineapple upside down cake (failure!).

My guy was patient and kind

as he walked me through a refresher course

 in how to camp.

Always keep the tent door zipped!

Don't eat in the tent!

Kindling and a teepee-shaped start

make for a good fire!

And it turns out...

I love camping!

A uniform of no make-up

and jean shorts suits this girl 

just fine and dandy.

There had been a giant flash rainstorm

before we arrived Friday so it wasn't 

as dusty as I had expected.

The weather cooperated too

and it wasn't uncomfortably hot at all.

Saturday my sweet friend Michele

took us out on her boat for a bit

I spy a 4 star resort. 

So fun.

and I survived my first tubing experience.

I am holding on SO tight and the boat wasn't moving yet.

My guy is a camping minimalist

so we didn't have an air mattress

which for this side-sleeper 

made for sore arms and hips.

I think I have him convinced to buy camping pads.  

Cross your fingers people.

Cross. Your. Fingers.

And we didn't bring any s'mores supplies

which was a major bummer when Paul turned out

the world's most awesome fire and coals

Saturday night.

Really my only whining stemmed

from feeling dirty.

I'm a big fan of showers

and scented body wash

and lotion and perfume

and and and forever more.

I tried to make the whole weekend

sans shower but I just couldn't.

Thankfully my sweet Jaimie

The yin to my yang.

let me sneak into her RV for some hot water/lather action

and Paul was grateful too so that I could finally 

stop whining.

 We had such a great time

and we make a good team

and I think our time

together with each other,

apart hanging with other campers,

and letting him into the circle

of my closest friends

was magic times infinity. 

 We left talking about next year here at Piru,

a May trip in Yosemite, 

and Lake Isabella in a few weeks.

I left on a pink cloud 

and a super high of knowing

that I am one hell of a lucky girl.

This guy...

Camperforlyfe yo.