Reflections on Camping in Moab
For Labor Day Weekend, Addison and I accompanied two of our very best friends to Moab, Utah, with plans to camp in the desert from Friday through Monday.
Going into it, I was extremely nervous about camping. Having never camped before, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know how I would feel about sleeping in a tent or not being able to shower whenever I wanted. But I wanted to experience Moab and camping. So I bucked up, and Addison and I headed west.
After several days in the desert, I have some reflections to share.
1. Moab is beautiful. Uniquely beautiful. I am incredibly lucky to have been able to see it, especially with friends who know many of its best spots.
2. Not zipping up your tent fully can be problematic. In fact, not zipping up your tent may mean that you’re snuggling with a mouse, that you wake up to a little rodent tip-toeing along your back. This is not an experience I would recommend.
3. Sleeping on an air mattress means you can’t cuddle with your wife because having all the weight in the same place means you end up…well…on the ground. Not so comfy.
4. The desert is hot, and shade is a necessity. The desert is sandy, and no matter what you do, sand will get everywhere. Literally, everywhere.
5. You can cook way more on a campfire than I realized. My amazing friend Courtney prepared steaks, corn on the cob, and a variety of other delicious dishes over the fire.
6. Wheelin’ (also known as jeepin’ or 4-wheelin’) is an extremely exciting activity. You get into a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and use that vehicle to travel trails that are steep and dangerous. It’s scary but thrilling.
7. Being away from your daily life (without cell phone service or any connection to the outside world) is refreshing. It’s even better when you’re there with folks you truly care about.
8. I’m not a very good camper. I made Addison leave on Sunday instead of Monday because I wasn’t feeling very well, because I couldn’t take the hostile conditions any more. Fortunately, our friends were gracious and kind and understanding. I was so lucky to venture out to my first camping trip with them. Also, I’m a big wimp. :)
