Rustic camping and the pandemic
If there has ever been a time to truly get to know yourself and be with nature, this pandemic is the perfect time to do it.
What is rustic camping: being in a campsite without the basic needs of comfort.
example, no drinking water or bathrooms
If you`re wondering what the image is up above it is an image of me holding a "bota" spanish water canteen in my tent enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds nature has to offer us.
If you`re wondering where was this picture taken, it was in Mastigouche, Quebec Canada.
If you`re having different thoughts about life and taking drastic decisions for the better, you are not alone. If you fell that you are running out of time thinking about travelling the world but you find yourself stuck because there are restrictions about travelling to a destination you always desired, then you are not alone.
It was my first time hearing about rustic camping, let alone not having the essential survival tools we all come to appreciate and desire in life. But I was destined to take the risk not knowing where it would take me and what challenges will await me at the campsite. I decided to go with a special someone for the week-end and I thought to myself what would be the worst that could happen since I have someone by my side and we would not be the only crazy people camping there.
We drove on a Friday after work, 3 hours from where we stay. When we got to the place it was already night time, we had to unpack, build a tent, grab a quick snack, wash up and enjoy the beautiful peaceful nightfall accompanied by the flashing lights from the stars. We were so tired from work and getting there that our sightseeing was short lived.
The next day we woke up by the beautiful sunset and the panoramic view in front of eyes, it looked like landscape or a picture we are accustomed to seeing on social media, only this time it was real and it was was in front of us.
We were at awe with the place we just wanted to stay at our tent. We eventually sat at the picnic table, had breakfast and decided to go for a walk to explore and view the different sights and settings. Instead of taking the car to explore the campsite we decided to go walking instead (bad idea) since this could also be good exercise. For us as it allows you to appreciate nature even more. On the way there, we stumbled across some berries that came directly from the plants we saw through our adventure. Let me tell you that this is the first time I actually had organic berries straight from plants and the only thing I can say is that it`s an awesome experience. They had all types of flavors and sizes depending on the maturity of the plants and the weather. When walking around nature is when you realize how lucky you are to be filled with the purity, peacefulness and the different types of sound insects and animals can make. Our original plan was to walk to for an hour or two but as well all know, things do not always turn the way you want them to be.
As the sun was in it`s full form and we had been walking for a couple of hours, we started to have second thoughts about not taking the car, we were not well equipped with food and water, and the mosquitoes were starting to get a notice into two strangers walking around their territory for the first time. We were starting to see a lot of elevation up the hills with no internet connection and no trace from a human in the last 10 kilometres.
Light came shinning across our path as we stumbled upon a sign that pointed to another lake just 1 kilometre above. We rushed to get there and enjoy the lake. We came down stumbling to the lake as soon as we could only two find another lake similar like ours at the campsite, the only thing was that the lake beautiful but not a person in sight except a boat and two people not knowing how to paddle it.
I saw the boat was filled with water therefore it was abandoned and it was left there with no use. Thankfully my partner was able to see the glass half-full and saw a way to empty the water. A two liter coca-cola plastic bottle was left close and she had the brilliant idea that is was probably left there to empty the water or whenever there was rain inside the small boat. She took the plastic bottle and started emptying the water while I was thinking to myself about all the bad scenarios that could happen if we take this bottle, let alone taking something that does not belong to us. She told me hop in the boat and to go for a ride!
At first, we were still a bit scared that the boat might sink on us plus learning to coordinate and paddle at the same time.
What do you know...we made some mistakes at first but we were able to figure it out. After some bad directions and getting anywhere while we were screaming at each other we decided to take things down a notch and learn to communicate, learn the way of the paddle and to be synchronized with one another. As now we were a team, this is what we got to explore.
Exhausted from taking a 15 kilometre hike back to the tent, we were thirsty and hungry. We decide to pull out the mini-oven we brought to make spaghetti with sausages. While we quietly enjoyed making dinner, my left corner eye spots an oddly long moving yellow shaped stick on the floor. When my eyes zoom in on the image, it was a snake, and it was getting closed to our tent! As the snake hid our under our tent, we started to turn into panic mode. I tried to grab the nearest stick I can find and try to pick it up. As I start to poke the snake to pull him as far away from our tent as possible, it tried to evade me. It starts to sense my presence of me approaching it and it hides in the grass. I guess now we truly know where that expression comes from. (there is a snake in the grass)
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The night comes and we were hit by a big thunderstorm. Our tent looked like it was going to fly away. We took precaution and slept on the car instead for the rest of the night.
Moral of the story:
Even though we were hit by a storm, we got the scare of our lives seeing a snake and there was a big presence of insects and mosquitoes I would recommend this someone who is willing to get out of their comfort zone. Just make sure to take precaution and bring the necessary tools for camping outdoors such as water, food, snacks, mosquito propellants and most of all to bring your smile. Because there are some very beautiful things mother nature has to show us. After each rain, the sun will always come up.
