Nate and I had plans with friends on both Friday and Saturday. I was excited, but I knew I wouldn't have as much fun as normal because I was never going to have any time to regroup, get over my crummy week, and get back to my cheery self. So when our Friday night plans fell through on Friday morning, I immediately canceled our Saturday plans (sorry Carol- I had to!!!) I called Nate and said "Do you just want to forget everything we were supposed to do this weekend and go camping?" I'm sure that was music to his ears. After that, a spur-of-the-moment camping trip began.
Camping 101:
Step # 1- Find Shelter
Nate and I did not have a tent. We've been wanting one for awhile, so I asked for one for my birthday. Although it was a week early, I got my birthday wish. On Friday night when we got home from work, we went on a hunt for an awesome tent. We ended up with this sweet baby:
An 8-person tent that fits 2 queen sized air mattresses just perfectly. Just the right size for Nate and I, and roomy enough for if we ever share a tent with someone. It is also aesthetically pleasing. I love the orange.
Nate and I did not have a tent. We've been wanting one for awhile, so I asked for one for my birthday. Although it was a week early, I got my birthday wish. On Friday night when we got home from work, we went on a hunt for an awesome tent. We ended up with this sweet baby:
An 8-person tent that fits 2 queen sized air mattresses just perfectly. Just the right size for Nate and I, and roomy enough for if we ever share a tent with someone. It is also aesthetically pleasing. I love the orange.Step #2- Gather Food
Because this was a spur-of-the-moment trip, we had to get our stuff together FAST. So what did we do? We went to a Wal-Mart on a Saturday morning. Stupid idea. We got the necessities- quick breakfast items, stuff to make camp pies and s'mores, brats (I hate hot dogs) and water. We were only going on an overnight trip, so I didn't want to overdo it. Nate also bought worms and lures for fishing. We figured we would go camping by a body of water, and it would be cool if we could catch our dinner. It was ridiculous trying to get out of that Wal-Mart. Of course we had to choose the line that looked like it was the shortest, only to realize it was so short because the cashier was as sloth-like. Nate couldn't handle it any more, so I had him go gather food at the McDonald's in the store while I waited out the line.
Step # 3- Pack Your Stuff
We woke up early, but it took us awhile to pack everything. We tried to pack light, only taking stuff we were sure we were going to need. We had a tent, 2 sleeping bags, 2 pillows, 2 small bags of clothes, 1 medium-sized cooler, 2 camp chairs, 1 camp-pie maker, 1 queen-size air mattress, 1 shotgun, 2 fishing poles, 1 tackle box, the food, 1 roll of paper towels, 1 roll of tp... and not much else. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it sure takes up a lot of space and takes awhile to put in the car. Good thing we have a Jeep!!!
Step #4- Find Your Campsite
Nate and I haven't lived in CO very long, so we don't know all the awesome places to go camping. That is sure going to change. Nate talked to some old locals at work who suggested some great places. We decided to go to a place called Red Dirt Reservoir. It was a 3 hour drive, and on the way we saw some places that looked like they might be fun camp sites. I'm glad we stuck it out through the windy road in the mountains- this place was well worth it. There were some other campers there, but not very many. We parked and scouted out a camp site. This place didn't have designated camp sites, but the random homemade fire pits gave us a good idea of places to set up camp.
After walking for about 10 minutes, we found the most awesome place to set up camp. We had a perfect view of the lake, it was in the woods but not too deep in the woods, and we had 2 fire pits to choose from. The best part is no one was around. There were other campers there, but we couldn't see them from this site. It was perfect.
After walking for about 10 minutes, we found the most awesome place to set up camp. We had a perfect view of the lake, it was in the woods but not too deep in the woods, and we had 2 fire pits to choose from. The best part is no one was around. There were other campers there, but we couldn't see them from this site. It was perfect.
Step #5- Set Up Camp
We were so excited to set up camp. It sucked a little bit because we had to trek all our stuff back to our perfect little site because the road ended awhile back. It was still exciting to make a temporary little home. It took us a couple hours to set up the tent. Now that we know how to do it, it shouldn't take too long next time. Pretty soon we had the place all set up for a wonderful weekend together.
Step #6- Find Wood
There is a terrible beetle in the mountains of Colorado that is eating all the trees and killing them. It makes for an ugly forest- instead of a green forest we have a brown forest with specs of green. I was, however, thankful for this beetle as it made finding fire wood rather easy. Nate and I had a blast yanking dead branches off fallen trees with ease. The wood was bone-dry as well, which made for great, quick-burning fire wood.
Step #7- When In Doubt, Follow Bear Grylls
I know he's kind of a cheater and all, but you have to admit Bear Grylls has some great tips. You never realize how great these tips are until you are actually out in the wild. For example: on one episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear demonstrated how some dry moss that grows on trees makes excellent tinder. Nate and I found that moss and thought we'd try it out. It is like magic. Use it. Best tinder ever.
Step #8- Protect Yourself at All Times
This stuff is a crock. I bought it because I hate bug spray. I don't like the way it feels, and I hate the way it smells. It makes me feel dirty. I already feel dirty enough when camping, I don't need stinky sticky bug spray making it any worse. I thought these bracelets would do the trick, but they are seriously a scam. I watched as a mosquito landed not even an inch away from the bracelet and started sucking away at my delicious O+ blood. I will suffer through the stench and the funky feel of bug spray next time. My lesson has been learned.
Also protect yourself from the big animals. Nighttime is usually my favorite part of camping. I love being in the tent, feeling like I'm outside but still protected. I have never been camping in the wilderness with just Nate before. It is a little scary when there's just 2 of you in the middle of nowhere. I was paranoid all night, but finally got to sleep. At 2 am, I heard something running through the woods making a weird sound. I couldn't tell what it was. It sounded like a bird at first, but then sounded like a wounded mammal of some sort. Then it dawned on me that it could be a cub- like a mountain lion or bear cub. I got really scared, but didn't want to be a wuss and wake up Nate. I held my breath for awhile, trying to listen for it and figure out where it was and what it could possibly be. I freaked out when it let out another cry and sounded WAY too close for comfort. I woke up Nate and made him load the shotgun. I wanted to be prepared if some momma predator came barreling out of the woods to our campsite. It took me awhile to get back to sleep. I had nightmares of claws and teeth and fur.
I know we didn't need it in this instance, but I was so glad we had that shotgun. I have never been around guns before, and it made me leery when Nate's dad hooked him up with a bunch of guns when we were in PA. I did feel a lot safer having it with us while camping by ourselves with no one around in the deep woods. Nate practices excellent gun safety too, so I'm not as nervous about it anymore. I am glad we were at least protected from the bears if not the mosquitoes.
Also protect yourself from the big animals. Nighttime is usually my favorite part of camping. I love being in the tent, feeling like I'm outside but still protected. I have never been camping in the wilderness with just Nate before. It is a little scary when there's just 2 of you in the middle of nowhere. I was paranoid all night, but finally got to sleep. At 2 am, I heard something running through the woods making a weird sound. I couldn't tell what it was. It sounded like a bird at first, but then sounded like a wounded mammal of some sort. Then it dawned on me that it could be a cub- like a mountain lion or bear cub. I got really scared, but didn't want to be a wuss and wake up Nate. I held my breath for awhile, trying to listen for it and figure out where it was and what it could possibly be. I freaked out when it let out another cry and sounded WAY too close for comfort. I woke up Nate and made him load the shotgun. I wanted to be prepared if some momma predator came barreling out of the woods to our campsite. It took me awhile to get back to sleep. I had nightmares of claws and teeth and fur.
I know we didn't need it in this instance, but I was so glad we had that shotgun. I have never been around guns before, and it made me leery when Nate's dad hooked him up with a bunch of guns when we were in PA. I did feel a lot safer having it with us while camping by ourselves with no one around in the deep woods. Nate practices excellent gun safety too, so I'm not as nervous about it anymore. I am glad we were at least protected from the bears if not the mosquitoes.
Step #8- Relax and Enjoy Yourself
