Camping has always been a huge part of summer for me. For as long as I can remember my grandparents have taken me and my cousins camping on the weekends. We’d bike around the campsite, play in the woods, roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire, swim and boat in the lake, and play on the camp playground.
I love camping. I don’t mind being out in the woods for 2 or 3 days, I can even handle going without a shower! I think that camping is one of the most relaxing things you can do, and for me, it represents everything I love about summer!
Clearly our camping weekend was a success!
We ended up going to a lake that was about 30 minutes out of Kamloops, perfect distance I thought, we set up our tent when we first got there. We used to sleep in the back of the Ford Escape when we went camping, but since the Escape is no more we had to purchase a tent. Luckily, we got a great deal at Walmart and got a 4-man tent, a shelter-thingy and two sleeping bags for only $100! Here’s our campsite:
After getting settled in and having a little snack we headed down to the beach for some tanning and book reading.
I was going to go for a dip in the lake, but the water was much too cold still!
After lying on the beach, relaxing for awhile we drove down to the local store and got some ice cream. Driving back to the campsite, eating ice cream with the windows rolled down reminded me SO much of summers when I was a kid.
We then decided that even though it was late in the afternoon we would do the hike that the park had to offer, it apparently had great views. Preparing ourselves for a 1-2 hour hike we loaded up the backpack with water and Clif bars, only to find out the hike was only 1.3 K each way. So we had a 30-pound backpack for nothing. Whoops.
We did get a BEAUTIFUL view at the top though. We sat on a bench and looked out at this view for about half an hour, it was just so peaceful and relaxing. This is why I love hiking–the end view ALWAYS makes the hard climb worth it!
My dream house would be on a lake like these ones:
After our hike we headed back to our campsite, roasted hot dogs for dinner, played cards and threw a baseball around.
Camping wouldn’t be camping without smores! The ultimate treat!!
We then went to bed early. The ONLY downside of our trip was that I didn’t bring any foamies or an air mattress, just a few blankets to pile up, so we didn’t have the best sleep on the hard gravel. I will definitely be investing in some foam or an air mattress before our next trip!
Oh, and just a little flashback for you, here’s some pictures from the first time Eric and I ever went camping together, the summer of 2006, three years ago:
We only had a 2-man tent then, FYI: by 2-man tent they actually mean 2 small men, or 2 children, not 2 full-sized adults because sleeping in this tent was VERY cramped and uncomfortable. I’m so glad we upgraded to the 4-man tent this time around, at least we had an air mattress then though!
We did some fishing that time and I gutted my first fish ever. It was disgusting.
Oh and I found this quite hilarious.
Eric when we were camping three years ago:
Eric camping this weekend:
I always say he needs to invest in new clothes and now I have proof!!!
We plan on doing several more camping trips this summer, it’s really a great, inexpensive way to spend a weekend!
Do you go camping in the summer? Do you like camping?
PS: Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for the bars! Winner will be announced tomorrow morning, so if you haven’t already, go here and enter!
{ 20 comments }
Camping is the BEST! I don’t let a summer go by without going at least once (but usually more!).
Too funny about the shirt pics. Lucas is the same way
Confession: I have NEVER been what I like to call “real,” camping where you have to pitch your own tent, make your own fire and etc. I’ve only been camping where the tent has already been set-up for me, I don’t have to deal with the fire and etc. Sad but true. It’s on my list of things to do, though =)
LMAO Good ole Eric!!! I totally noticed that!! Steve and I have our fav t’s too
We love love love camping!!! That lake you went to this weekend looks like Adams lake!! We go almost every weekend…..maybe not so much this summer because we’re so busy…but we will try get out as much as we can, first camping weekend is two weekends away!! I can’t wait!!!
Oh we need to plan a weekend to meet up!
Katrina
Sounds like you had a great weekend camping! And in Kamloops too, like 70% of my friends are there for the summer… planting of course
Haha, I love that he’s wearing the same shirt! That’s exactly how Husband is. His shirts always have holes in them, so he’ll just layer one. (Example: One shirt has a hole in the back, and one has a hole on the side. If he wears one under the other, it apparently cancels out the holes and makes it a whole shirt. Hah!) He hates buying new clothes, so I usually just buy them for him without him knowing!
I’ve never really been camping, but Husband loves it. I think I’ll tell him we should go sometimes. He’d fall in love with me all over again!
Awwww…I LOVE camping!! What great pictures - looks like you had a great time
I haven’t been tent camping in the woods in SO long! This post makes me want to set it all up with my friends right now!
Just goes to show…even camping can look great! I like the orange.
Is it weird that one of my first thoughts was that your little camp set is cute?
My parents have a cabin and because of that, I really have never camped. I would LOVE to, though. I just don’t have any of the equipment! I might do a camping trip w/ some friends this summer, though - can’t wait!
Those pics are wonderful. You look great, Amber!
I adore your header. So creative. Was wondering if you did that yourself and if so would you consider taking on a small project to do one for me .
growing up when we were little, we went camping in a tent all the time! as we got older, my parents got one of those pop up trailers. Loved the food. hated the whole showering thing. gah.
I haven’t been camping in years, we’ve got a couple neighbors that want us to join, i wouldnt’ be against it, but boyfriend’s NEVER been camping in his whole life, so he’s not keen on the idea. we’ll see. one of the things i hate is when the pillow gets “damp!” never fails.
but my favorite thing about the whole camping thing is — the food! YUMMMMMM!
I love those pictures of that Lake! I want to go.. !
Katie+Camping would be an epic fail. Or, maybe I’m some sort of closet nature beast that I just don’t know about.
I have an inability to pee in the woods, or anywhere outside, so that might be my downfall.
Adorable pics, though!
I absolutely LOVE camping. All my best childhood memories usually include camping with my family. Boating, fishing, campfires and smores! I feel sorry for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to experience a true camping trip (no showers, no electricity). It builds character!
I love that he was wearing the same shirt!!! Boys are funny!!!
I have never thought to sleep in the back of our escape…our dog gets the back of the escape while we get the great outdoors (we don’t want him whining…plus he’s spoiled!)
We have a 5 man tent for the two of us (and a big air mattress…though if you buy an air mattress, check to see if you need power to blow it up, then buy a power inverter - learned the hard way!). OH and our friends have a 10 man tent - for two of them!! on our last trip it rained and five of us hung out in there and played cards (comfortably!!!)
That sounds like so much fun Amber. I SO want to go camping now!
~Amanda
I love camping. I like sleeping in the back of a car, just cause in Texas there are snakes and other ewwy things, but other than that camping is great! Love the pics!
I agree camping is pretty much the most relaxing ever. And food always seems to taste better in the mountains too. I used to go all the time growing up, but unfortunately haven’t been able to go in a few years. Instead I’m living vicariously through you!
Guys are hilarious! Same shirt twice? tsk tsk tsk
Actually I do it too, but I remember WHERE and WHEN I wore it 
Can you believe that I’ve never been camping yet? I’m hoping to go in August though
And we actually wanted to get the same tent you got (it was the same deal anyways) but they were all out! 
looks like so much fun!! I want to go camping now! I used to go camping pretty often as a girl scout
and even though I am quite girly and prissy– yes, I admit it– I do still enjoy a few days in the outdoors! now all I need to do is to convince the boyfriend to go. I am not sure how he feels about camping… three days without ESPN? he might go crazy! haha
That sounds awesome right now! I love sitting around the campfire, drinking beer and making s’mores! I’m not a fan of sleeping in a tent but it is part of the experience! Haven’t done it in years though, lol!!
You and Eric are so adorable together! Love it!
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