Cynthia McClure

My husband and I have been wanting to go camping together since before we got engaged, but propriety had us putting it off until we were married. Then we put it off because we were…distracted and last summer was a no-go because I was pregnant.

But behold, now we have escaped from the cell service for a whole weekend together, and we had a great time! My brother came with us and was a joy to have in general, but especially as an extra pair of hands to help with the 10 month old.

We didn’t do anything terrible fancy or exciting, mostly just testing out the gear we either have never used before or haven’t used in years. We made camp and went fishing, enjoyed the drive too and from the reservoir, and most of all were in good company among the trees.

Time moves differently when you’re camping. I don’t think I noticed it as a kid because as a child it felt like everything took forever. Now that I’m an adult, camping felt different. Whenever we tried to go somewhere by a certain time we got there an hour early. It was the best feeling ever, and not just because I like being on time but because it finally felt like I wasn’t fighting.

I wasn’t fighting to get as much done as quickly as possible. Even when there was things that needed done we could afford to stop for a break and sit at the fire a little longer. We could take a nap, read a book, and still have plenty of daylight to cook dinner, cleanup, and hit the reservoir one more time.

All-in-all it was wonderful, and we’ll definitely be going again this summer. There were obviously some things we’ll be doing differently next time, warmer bedding and better stocked fishing places being one of them. Honestly though, the biggest thing I would like to change, and really more like observe, is me. I would like to see how my attitude changes. I’m curious to find out how much of a spirit of play I can stay in.

As a mom and a go-getter woman, I find it easy to plan, direct, and execute. I noticed this on the camping trip when I would be the one to propose the plan, tell others what the next steps were, and basically be the one to put us in motion. I think mother’s everywhere can relate to wanting a break from being the mover and planner. Even while breastfeeding I managed to be the one directing.

It makes me wonder what it would be like to really sit back and relax, is that even possible? And how does one sit back and not just end up seething about how nothing’s getting done? I’ll be interested to see how the next few camping trips go.

C.M