Last November, I went into the woods with a group of friends and probably way too much alcohol. See, this was my first time camping—something I had always wanted to do—and I might have overprepared in the way that most people who are new to things do.
Our first night started off rocky—navigating the gas grill on the property proved to be a challenge. By the time our burgers were ready to eat, we were sitting in near-darkness, save for a dim overhead light and a precariously hung lantern that required one adult to lift another up into the air to fix it in place.
As the sun dipped below the trees, so did the temperature; it hovered in the 20s and 30s each night of our trip. Luckily, we had the help of a wood-burning stove in our tent to keep us warm. This is where my husband, who owns a few grills and smokers, really put his fire management skills to use, missing out on a solid night of sleep to keep us from freezing.
Despite the frosty nights, I found peace in those woods, taking in the autumnal colors on the leaves. My mind was free to connect with my surroundings thanks to the lack of cell service. As we made our way down the mountain, I thought back on our adventure in the woods and knew immediately I would do it all again—just maybe on a warmer weekend next time.
