“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir
Ah, camping. That glorious time when we trade our comfy beds for sleeping bags and our reliable Wi-Fi for spotty cell service. This summer, I decided to go all in—packing up my two sons, my two cousins, and a questionable amount of bug spray for a camping trip to Iowa.
It was my first time camping ever!
Tents, Tackle, and Tentative Plans
I’d like to say that we went into the wilderness with a plan, but let’s be real—our plan was to wing it. We pitched our tents (after a few “Are you sure that’s right?” moments), and embarked on a mission to catch some fish. Now, when I say “fish,” what I really mean is that we tangled a lot of lines, got some great arm workouts from reeling in nothing, and managed to catch exactly one fish. But hey, it’s the effort that counts, right?
Off the Grid, But Not Off the Hook
The beauty of camping in Iowa is the scenery. Rolling hills, lush greenery, and skies so blue you almost forget your Netflix queue. We took in the sights, hiked until our feet begged for mercy, and marveled at how anything can taste gourmet when cooked over a campfire. Smores, anyone?
But the real highlight? It came before we even left civilization.
The Convenience Store Serenade
On our way to the campsite, we made a pit stop at the last convenience store before going off-grid. Picture this: an old-school country store with a weathered sign and a porch straight out of a movie. Inside, the store’s owner, a man who must’ve been around since the dawn of time, noticed it was my son’s birthday. My son, now 17 and far too cool for anything, was clearly trying to fly under the radar. But the store owner had other plans.
Before we knew it, the man was belting out “Happy Birthday” with all the gusto of a Broadway star. My son, mortified but secretly delighted, couldn’t hide his grin. It was one of those moments that makes you grateful for the kindness of strangers—and for having the foresight to document it on video for future blackmail opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Camping is always an adventure, but this trip to Iowa was something special. It wasn’t just about the fishing, the hiking, or the smores (though those were all pretty great). It was about spending time with the people I care about, making memories that we’ll laugh about for years to come. And as we packed up our gear, sunburnt and satisfied, I couldn’t help but think: maybe we’ll do it again next year—after I restock on bug spray.
Sanela