Some of my favorite childhood memories consist of family trips to Sequoia, Yosemite, Big Bear, and Lake Tahoe. All the families packed their vans with huge pots of pre-cooked Vietnamese food, instant coffee packets, bags of ramen and chips, and leave before sunrise. The kids were always stuck in the back of the van, one of the kids would always bother another kid, and someone would always get nauseous from the winding roads going up the mountains. But once we'd get to the cabins, everything was just right. There was nothing more refreshing than breathing in the crisp, cool mountain air, being surrounded by trees that were hundreds of years old, dipping our feet in the fresh-water river, and gazing at hundreds of stars sparkling in the clearest skies.
This weekend I went camping at Wildwood State Park in Long Island but it wasn't like my childhood experiences. We didn't drive up a mountain, hike through a thick forest of towering trees, or search for constellations at night. We did, however, have a tent, a bunch of s'mores, and a quasi-beach. I realized that camping isn't so much about where you experience it but who you're with. And I was in good company.
Five of us slept in the tent. I had an inflatable mattress so it was comfortable, besides the one night that it was raining and some water dripped on my head.
I went s'more crazy and made 10 sandwiches...for myself. I burned this one but eventually perfected the art of roasting the marshmellow.
Wildwood State Park is next to Long Island Sound. The two-mile beach has tiny pebbles so it's not the best place to layout. I enjoyed the peacefulness and tranquility of walking down the beach in solitude.
I was fascinated with the colorful pebbles, especially the way they shine after the water runs over them. I felt like a kid again, picking up the pretty pebbles and keeping a stash to myself. But I eventually threw them back because I didn't want to steal from nature.
I wonder what rocks would say if they could talk. Like this big rock right here must feel self conscious around the smaller rocks. Or the smaller rocks must look at it and think that it's on steroids.
2 comments:
"I wonder what rocks would say if they could talk. Like this big rock right here must feel self conscious around the smaller rocks. Or the smaller rocks must look at it and think that it's on steroids."
I likes that. Though I think the big rock would be domineering and be mean out of subconsciousness to the small rocks.
I didn't know you could camp in the big city?! Cool- glad to see you got a tasty s'more! :)
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