I have been going camping every summer with my family since I was in diapers. I literally have pictures of the “big girl potty” my mom would bring camping with us while I was potty training as a toddler. We rough it as much as I would ever want to rough it. We have an old pop-up and a tent with air mattresses. There are sleeping bags and campfires. We have no television, no air conditioning, and for the most part no electronics because we have no service. To type this blog, I am in the local town’s McDonald’s, which is the only place with WIFI. It’s heaven!
As I get older, it gets harder and harder to really disconnect. I am constantly telling my kids to turn off their ipod/ipad/nintendo whatever, but I am just as bad. I can’t go two seconds without checking my phone for emails, text, or seeing what has been posted on facebook. I never wanted to be that person that can’t hold a conversation with someone because I am distracted by my smart watch or my phone pinging, but I am that asshole.
My mom and I were going for a walk the other day, and she was trying to tell me a story. I was so rude, and was getting messages from work and I was responding. My mom had to stop and start her story 10 times. That is so rude. I hate that!
This is why I love camping. No reception. Now, there are some setbacks; it is a little gross because your feet are always dirty, and it is community bathrooms that I can not poop in. It is a serious issue. I will go like three days without pooping and get a stomach ache, so eventually I go to the “family” bathroom so I can finally go but still just feel gross about it. There are community showers that always have spiders or moths in them, but I keep them in my eye site at all times, so there are no surprises. But having no reception by far outweighs all of those things!
If you have any time left this summer, you should do it! Even if you pitch a tent in your backyard, and have one night of electronic free evening, complete with a mini pit campfire with roasting marshmallows, you won’t regret it! Tell some scary stories, and look at the stars. It will be a night you won’t forget!
Well, I’m off now to drive back the 20 minutes to be with my kids. We are going to ride our bikes to the lake, so I can watch them build sand castles and I will read my book, which is an actual paper back book and not an electronic reader!
No go enjoy these last weeks of summer, and make some great memories!
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