Countdown to Camping

I have enjoyed camping since I was a kid. Back then, for a lot of families, it was what you did during summer vacation.  We even followed the camping progression as I grew up, starting out in a tent, upgrading to a tent trailer, then a solid trailer, and ending up with an RV.

The camping season, in many places, starts on the May long weekend; in other words...today.  I was never much of one for getting out this weekend.  It is crowded, a little rowdy, and often times still very cold.

I realize that there are those that will not mind the crowds, enjoy a little rowdiness, and will be equipped to handle the cold.  In fact, I have a friend who, as I write this, is likely loading up the car to head to her seasonal site.  To her, and all the others heading out this weekend, I say enjoy!

My wife and I have scheduled our first camping trip for 1 month (31 days) from today.  We have decided that for our first outing, we will stay close to home.  Our options have been  narrowed down to two Provincial Parks, both of which are about an hour's drive from the city.

I think that we are both looking forward to it, and have been since mid-winter, when we started adding to and upgrading our camping gear.  This new gear is the main reason why we are staying close to home the first time out.  It would not be a pleasant experience to drive five or six hours, only to discover we have no clue how to set up the new tent.

After taking last summer to travel across the country, I am looking forward to taking some short relaxing trips this year.  It will be nice to set up camp without having to tear it down each morning.  We do have a slightly longer trip planned for later this summer, but even then are not going to rush and will enjoy a few days at each stomp along the way.