My husband has taken Lucas on his own several times, but for the first time we went camping as a family this weekend and it was nothing like I expected.
It wasn’t that I was anti-camping before, I just simply had zero interest. Zero interest in going without a shower, sleeping in a bag outdoors, on the ground and wreaking of camp fire smoke.
There was a lot of sand because we were at the beach, but we had access (and used) a coin operated shower within footsteps of our camp site. Other than that, it was delightful and didn’t feel like “roughing it” at all. By morning, I wished we were staying one more night.
There were stars in the sky and that wonderful camp fire aroma, which I do wreak of and probably will for the next couple of days but it’s a small price to pay for the joy in Lucas’ face as he rode his bicycle around the camp grounds, we jumped over waves in the ocean together, devoured s’mores and snuggled up close in a bag on the floor of a tent. Well, in a bag on an air mattress on the floor of a tent.
Being on the beach was my favorite part; hearing the waves last night as we slumbered, watching the surfers early this morning, using our toes to write our names in the sand and feeling the warm sun add a little healthy color to our skin. It was like therapy.
A lot of work goes into camping, between all the gear, shopping, meal planning and preparation, assembly and packing. It’s a delicate balance of work and reward. Todd did the majority of the work for this one night trip, in the hope of (I’m assuming) my return. Next time, I will share the burden. This is one family activity that we will definitely be doing again and soon.
It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. Everything about it is renewing for me, almost like therapy… Beach Therapy. – Amy Dykens
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I’m so happy you liked it! We have been camping a couple of times with the girls, but never right near the ocean and there were no coin shower nearby, but it was so great to see the excitement on the girls faces.
I used to camp with my parents when going up-river when we were kids! There used to be hyaenas and owls making noises at nights owls and probably snakes not far, but it was so much fun! I still remember those times! Now I’d love to try and camp near the ocean 🙂 Bet sure that I’ll try out s’mores too 😉 I look forward to seeing the pictures of your next experience. xoxo
I’ve never been camping because I just don’t like the idea of er, roughing it 🙂
But sleeping on the beach? I can get with that.
It looked totally awesome, glad you had fun!
I know exactly what you mean! We love camping and actually camped by the beach this summer. I loved hearing the waves at night and playing in them during the day. Glad you had such a great time; it’s always nice to get away for a bit. Lovely photos!
Sigh. We do it once a year. Neither R nor I love it, but our friends are big campers, so we do it for a weekend. I do LOTS of the work. There are moments I love, though, and if I could do it on a beach it would up my enjoyment even more.
I’m glad you had a fun time and want to do it again!
So happy that you got to experience this!
We go every year and it’s truly one of the memories of summer that stays with us.
Next year, joint trip? 🙂 xo
I know all about camping, the good and the bad.
But I’ve never camped at the beach before. That is something I want to do.
My favorite place is the beach. Granted I don’t camp much, but I can see the advantages of it, especially on a clear night. To me, there’s no place better to watch stars than a beach. Then again, I’m a native Floridian and so beaches are pretty common places for me to visit!
I also enjoyed the pictures. I love looking a pictures! Thank you for sharing them and also sharing how a “I don’t wanna” moment turned into “Wow, this is great” moment. Those are the best moments….they sneak up on you, but give you the nicest surprises:~)
We camp a lot through out the summer but never on the beach like that. I kinda like camping… then again we have a camper with water, heat and A/C!
I’ve never had an interest in roughing it either-at least not in the last 20 years. I must admit that your pics and descriptions make it sound appealing.
Beach therapy indeed! Aaaah! I think that’s why I don’t mind my long commute to work in Malibu. I love being close to the water all day. I especially when I spend the night out here on Monday nights. I really do feel like I sleep better closer to the water. I have gone camping exactly twice my entire life and I really enjoyed it. I would go again in a heartbeat. BUT I would LOVE for there to be a bathroom in the nearby area.
Nice! I’m so glad you liked it. Beach camping sounds fun.