This is a call to all those who “car” camp, take me with you! I have a tent, a headlamp, a wireless charger and a sleeping bag. That’s right, I have only the basics! The camping game has changed since I camped with my family over 30 years ago. I have faint memories of camping and fishing with my family; as an adult it’s something I have been longing to do. I’ve had a tent for almost 18 years and I bought a fishing pole in 2003 when I moved to Florida. In 2014, eleven years later, I finally donated the fishing pole. The odds seemed slim that anyone would ever take me fishing.
The challenge has been, up until recently, none of my close friends liked to camp or fish. Let me keep it real here, the overwhelming majority of my friends are Black and most don’t have an interest in camping! I remain hopeful that my future husband and I will make camping and hiking a part of our lifestyle. Until then, I will keep camping along. During a recent camping trip we had a discussion about why Black people don’t camp. We have our own assumptions, but wanted to take a poll of the Black folk we know. I suggested we post the poll on my blog. So, here we go; to all my Black friends, family and acquaintances please answer the following questions:
In about two weeks I will post the results and continue this discussion!
Now, back to me and my camping adventures. What inspired this post is that last month my friend Karie and her husband Justin organized a camping trip to Tennessee. Besides watching the eclipse, which was the highlight of 2017, the best part of the whole experience was the food and naps. We were all exhausted from the hustle of city life and demanding jobs, it was nice to get away and recharge. It didn’t matter that we hardly left the campsite to hike or do other activities. I could have stayed in my tent the WHOLE time reading, daydreaming, and looking at the sky from my tent’s sunroof (fancy I know). It’s fun to zip up my tent and hide out, makes me feel like a kid again. Let’s talk about the most important topic though, the food; our menu for the weekend was extremely sophisticated. To make you jealous, our menu included the following:
- Day 1 Lunch: pasta with pesto and a kale salad
- Day 1 Dinner: pre-wrapped burritos cooked over the fire
- Night cap: basil lemonade with vodka
- Day 2 Breakfast: avocado toast or croissants with pesto, English breakfast muffins with almond butter and bananas
- Day 2 Lunch: pasta with onions, olives and tomatoes with your choice of grilled chicken or eggplant
- Day 2 Dinner: fish tacos with fresh slaw and homemade salsa
- Day 3 Breakfast: granola with berries and bananas (almond milk was optional)
Since this last camping trip I realized, like dating, I need to expand my horizons. I have a lot to learn! Therefore, I have joined the following groups:
- Outdoor Afro
- REI (they offer some free classes)
- Outdoor Meetups
Today I registered for at least five REI classes that relate to hiking or camping. The introvert in me does not want to go camping with a group of strangers, but I will participate in day long activities. I plan to be ready for more 2018 outdoor activities/adventures. I will step up my outdoor game and will add a few more supplies to my camping list such as the following: sleeping pad, lantern, tent footprint, tea kettle and a one person table set. Keeping it simple! Who’s down?
Note: Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know what car camping entails. I just found out what the term meant three weeks ago. Google defines it as a type of camping which involves driving rather than walking to a campsite. Geez, who knew camping had become so elitist. Some of my co-workers look down on car camping, let’s be real it’s my camping preference! Judge me all you want.
I'M ALL OVER THE PLACE 