The Thing About Camping

Chris is very into camping right now. And I am very into the idea of camping.

I’m into the idea until I’ve been outside for about ten hours and then want to go inside and lay on a couch. I’m into the idea until I look around suddenly noticing tiny spiders crawling everywhere and realize I will most likely bring a few of those spiders home with me. *I was right.

I’m into the idea until I’m not.

Don’t get me wrong, I do think camping can be fun. I just think it might be more fun if it occurred in a cabin. Like with rooms and a kitchen and bathrooms. And maybe someone who brings me fresh towels and a mini tooth paste if I forgot one. So more like a resort. Yes, I’m very into camping at a resort where instead of a lake there’s a “pool” and patio furniture and servers bringing you margaritas. That’s the kind of camping I enjoy.

Never the less, Chris and I spent the weekend in a tent at Devils Lake, Wisconsin. The views were spectacular, the camp site was clean, and there was a little snack hut less than a mile from our tent, so all in all, it wasn’t half bad. As long as I know there’s a snack hut within walking distance, I’ll usually be okay in life.

And then there’s this guy. Harlow is a camping extraordinary.  He hiked the intense climb with us like an absolute champion. The smile on his face was worth every insect bite I received on my back.

It’s a funny thing when you notice you start taking vacations just because you know your dog will have a good time. Does anyone else do this? Is this normal? I get far too much joy watching Harlow have fun.

We hiked about ten miles on Saturday and were fast asleep by 9:30 p.m. that night. Which is okay when camping, because once it gets dark you kinda look around and think,  okay what do we do now?


The longer we live in Chicago the more I’m starting to love Wisconsin. It’s a really cool state. And it has a cheese palace. An abundance of lakes and an abundance of cheese. Is Wisco heaven on earth? I think it might be. The “oh yeah” accent is pretty fun, as well.

Anyone else going through a camping phase right now?

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31 Comments

  1. May 24, 2016 / 9:44 am

    I went camping….once. The grill round up in the river, I fell down at the corn maze and scraped my knee and they hand no band aids. I couldn't stop bleeding because I had drank a pint of Mr. Bostons in order to deal with the fact that I was camping. This sounds like a waaaayyyyy more pleasant experience and your views are incredible!! And Harlow looks pretty happy and thats all that really matters anyway!

  2. May 24, 2016 / 9:50 am

    My husband has talked me into going camping in a few weeks and I'm still not so sure about the whole thing. The activity part of it (hiking, fishing, grilling, making s'mores) all sounds great, but the practical part of it (sleeping outside, using the bathroom) is not so much my thing. Hoping it goes well!

  3. May 24, 2016 / 9:51 am

    I think camping is a hotel without a bar.

    Seriously. My husband goes like once a year with his friends. Me, no thanks 🙂

  4. May 24, 2016 / 9:53 am

    It does look like Harlow enjoyed himself. And no, I take vacations because my dog with love them. I've yet to go REAL camping. I have plans to go this summer. We're going to the Upper Peninsula (we're in Michigan). I'm not sure how I feel about this yet.

    Sarah
    The Midwest Darling

  5. May 24, 2016 / 10:09 am

    I adore camping. We just bought two kayaks and a roof rack for our Subaru which we bought primarily for road trips and camping. The best bacon egg and cheese Sammie is made on a cast iron pan in a campfire. And the hiking. The views. Just incredible. I also think beer tastes better out in the woods. But maybe that's my country coming out. Who knows.

    • May 24, 2016 / 10:18 am

      ^^ definitely agree about beer tasting better! ^^

  6. May 24, 2016 / 10:35 am

    I find camping to be much more fun when there are more than two people. I enjoy it more with friends. Not necessarily staying on our campsite, but maybe in the site next to us. Friends help combat the boredom that will almost definitely happen out in the woods, without a computer or tv. I particularly enjoy sitting around the campfire at night…with beers.

  7. May 24, 2016 / 11:04 am

    My last camping adventure was a Girl Scout "retreat" where we slept in sleeping bags on top of fold out lawn chairs, which is both a super fun way to not sleep and probably develop scoliosis. Your idea of a cabin retreat sounds like a lot more fun though!

  8. May 24, 2016 / 11:06 am

    I'm ashamed to admit I haven't been camping since I was in high school and we actually climbed a mountain in Colorado (low camp, high camp, hiking to the summit, carrying everything on our backs, bathing in the creek, digging holes to do our business, etc). It was quite the experience and that is the kind of camping I'd be willing to do again. Quasi-camping isn't as appealing. It's like if there's a glimmer of civilization, I'll do whatever I can to get back to that.

  9. May 24, 2016 / 11:32 am

    We go camping ALL THE TIME. michael is the most camping obsessed person on the planet. we go to the beach with my family this saturday and he goes, you know, it's just not really my type of vacation. right, because it's not hiking and ticks.

  10. May 24, 2016 / 11:45 am

    Honestly I don't think I've been camping since I was a girl scout in elementary school… and even then we had nice cabins, no tents for us! I think I could try camping again, but like you I'm a bit wary of the bugs…

    Emma | Seeking the South

  11. May 24, 2016 / 12:23 pm

    Camping is what I do at home but with no conveniences. I'm with you…I'd rather do my camping at a full service resort. But I do understand the dog vacation thing!

  12. May 24, 2016 / 12:24 pm

    Devil's Lake is beautiful and Wisconsin is of course the best state. I mean – cheese and beer – how much better can it get?

  13. May 24, 2016 / 2:08 pm

    I just got the urge to go camping after seeing it on one of my favorite TV shows and now this! I don't know how long I could do it, but for a weekend, sign me up!

  14. May 24, 2016 / 2:18 pm

    I want to go through a camping phase because I really do enjoy it. I haven't been in years. Wisconsin looks gorgeous!

  15. May 24, 2016 / 3:53 pm

    I tried camping once. Once was good enough. I'm with you: I'd love to go camping at a resort with beds and bathrooms. And things to do. I've vacationed at cabins and that was good. I might even try glamping–as long as I have a clean place not used by strangers where I can do my "business." (Yes, I'm very particular with such a place, #noshame.)

    Glad you enjoyed your trip!! And I'm especially excited Harlow loved it. Your snaps showed how much fun he was having!

    PS- No, you're not the only one who vacations where her animal buddies might like to. In 13+ years of our fam having moved to the U.S., we still haven't been on a "proper" vacation the three of us humans.. Like when we travel, it's always one or two of us so the dogs & cat don't stay alone. We've been wanting to rent a house in Orlando for us all BUT when to do it, what to do w/the cat…so many decisions.

  16. May 24, 2016 / 5:02 pm

    I am totally into the resort style camping as well. Our friends do a big camp/float thing every summer, I show up for the float because, well, who doesn't want to float down a river drinking beer all day? Then I go home and sleep in my nice comfortable bed while the rest of them camp. Harlow is adorable and I would totally do anything to make my pups happy as well! 🙂

    XOXO
    Melissa

  17. May 24, 2016 / 5:10 pm

    Your dog looks ridiculously happy to be camping. Does he sleep in your tent or does he have his own tent? You can get rucksacks for dogs now so they get to carry their own water and mini camping supplies. Genius!
    Ellie
    Xxx

    http://Www.thiscountrygirlsjournal.com

    • May 24, 2016 / 11:20 pm

      he slept in MY sleeping bag. With me. Of course 🙂

  18. May 24, 2016 / 8:46 pm

    Me and camping no not a mix just saying what I like about the idea of camping is Tim going and leaving me at home

  19. May 25, 2016 / 8:27 am

    My husband and I like to go backpacking and camp a lot, one of the reasons is totally because our dog has the time of his life. That far into the woods he is off leash for days at a time. The week following this type of camping event he does nothing but sleep and eat to recover from all the fun. I mean how could you not want to make them that happy?

  20. May 25, 2016 / 6:53 pm

    I'm so glad you love Wisconsin! It's my great home state. Glad you enjoyed Devil's Lake!

  21. May 31, 2016 / 11:11 pm

    Once you tell me that you're a packer fan, I'm done. Until then, I can get onboard with the cheese thing. #minnesotaisbetter

  22. June 1, 2016 / 8:23 pm

    I would like to go camping just to say I've done it, but to be honest, I'm not crazy about the idea. Bugs aren't my thing, but I think about everyone feels that way haha. I love your blog!!

  23. June 4, 2016 / 4:27 pm

    Wisco IS awesome. Check out Bayfield county, waaaayyyy up north. There's some great hiking and camping!

    • June 4, 2016 / 4:28 pm

      As an added bonus, my dogs love it up there – one starts shriek-barking as soon as we turn down the forest road to the cabin….

  24. July 19, 2016 / 11:18 pm
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  26. September 5, 2016 / 11:19 pm

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