It’s camping season, and I love everything about it. From the open road on the way to a new destination to the quiet evenings around a campfire, this time of year always feels restorative. There’s something healing for me about being outdoors, whether I’m tucked away in the mountains or camped out on the beach.
I still remember my very first camping trip with my parents and sister to the Black Hills. The scent of fresh pine and the winding roads through the hills are etched in my memory. That trip left an indelible mark on my heart and sparked a lifelong love for being in nature.
The call of camping season
So, as you can imagine, I was excited to get the camper out of storage and ready for the season. Our goal was to head to Potter’s Pasture for a short weekend getaway by the end of April. But the weather didn’t cooperate, and we discovered a hole in the hot water heater. Much to my dismay, our trip had to be pushed back a week.
Then life, as it often does, began to crowd into the space that we had saved for camping. Prepping the camper took longer than expected. The to-do list seemed to grow rather than dwindle. Instead of camping under the stars, we spent that weekend working through repair and maintenance.
Finding joy in the unexpected
At first, I was disappointed by the delay. But somewhere between check off tasks and overcoming small setbacks, I realized I was still enjoying the process. We ended that weekend with a fire on the back patio, hammocks hung in the backyard, and dogs running happily after the ball. It wasn’t the weekend we planned–but it was a beautiful reminder.
What I’m learning–again–is that life rarely goes exactly as planned. Instead, I noticed that life is what you make of it. Situations don’t always turn out the way you hope, and moments are not always as picturesque as social media would make it seem. But even in the unexpected, I can find joy. Working side by side with people I love, slowing down enough to enjoy the small things–these are the moments that leave lasting imprints on the heart.