A long time ago, Dale and I were regular campers. It wasn’t something I grew up doing (my mother thought a hotel without room service was roughing it) but I was really excited to go camping with Dale. We had a small trailer and he taught me everything I needed to know about camping. Over time, our lifestyle changed, we started Civil War reenacting, and eventually we sold our camper. We’ve talked a lot for the past few years about getting back into it so when Hannah said the plans for her bachelorette weekend were to have everyone go camping we decided to go all in and . . . rent a camper van and see if this is something that would work for us!

The van I found was in NH so we drove up to pick her up on Thursday, camped that night on the north shore of MA, and then camped for the weekend in Plymouth with Hannah and her friends.

This van is a converted Chevrolet Express and I’ll say right up front that it’s small for 2 people. And, while there’s good storage for a lot, there’s no storage for things like clothes and extra food. Also, Dale couldn’t stand completely upright and that right there is a deal breaker in terms of what we’re considering for a purchase.

Those drawbacks aside, it worked out perfectly for the weekend. The bed is very comfortable and the solar panels gave us enough power for lights and other onboard amenities, like running water and charging capabilities for our devices.

We were mostly off the grid as there was very little cell phone service and no WiFi. Once I got used to not being able to check my phone for email and Instagram it was very nice to just be unplugged from all of that. And, while I had forgotten how much work camping is, and how much of camping is rummaging around looking for stuff, I really enjoyed myself. We learned a lot about what will and won’t work for us and, while I don’t think we’re quite ready to make a big purchase just yet, I will say that I’m fairly certain camping will be back in our life in the next year or two.

I mean, how do you resist something like that?

As for the bachelorette, Hannah’s friends went all out for her, decorating the campsite and planning special activities like tie-dye t-shirts for everyone. I didn’t take pictures of any of that but I did snag these two of my girlie that her friends took.

She’s very fortunate to have friends who get her and want to make her feel special and celebrated. And, as you can see, I think it’s safe to say she had the time of her life.

There’s only one thing on my mind this Monday and it’s this: 24 years ago today we created a family.

Happy Anniversary, Dale. Wherever you’re going, I’m going your way.

Several years ago my friend Judy, owner of Ball and Skein, started blogging about walks every Wednesday. I always enjoyed her photos and stories about being outside, often in the woods, and now I’m jumping on this bandwagon.

Dale and I have gotten in the habit of taking a Sunday afternoon drive and finding someplace outside to walk. It’s been a great way to get out of the house and see some beautiful foliage and get some movement into our day, too.

I took this photo two weeks ago. Our walk was along some powerlines in the woods and the colors were gorgeous. Dale can’t quite keep up with me entirely just yet but we’re managing. I sometimes get ahead of him and wait for him to catch up. And when he’s gone as far as his leg will tolerate, I head on without him and then circle back. The irony of me finally wanting to walk in the woods with him after he’s asked me to do this for years and him not being in an ideal condition to do this now that I’m interested is not lost on either of us.

Last Sunday we wound up at a conservation area in a nearby town. We had originally tried two other places which are well known and therefore were very crowded. As in, I looked out the window and said no way am I getting out of the car here. But these woods we found, rather by chance, were gorgeous. Perhaps, for me anyway, even magical as I stopped and paused and just . . . listened . . . to the falling leaves and subtle sounds of the woods that you can only hear when you are quiet.

A few weeks ago I was telling a friend that I hate walking. What I’ve discovered lately is that I hate walking on roads, sidewalks, and pavement. Turns out I love walking when I’m in the woods.