Turn here

What is more fun than turning off the main road? Finding a peaceful oasis on the other side of the bend.

It was late in the day when we drove into Merchants Millpond State Park in North Carolina. We aim to arrive at our campsites before sundown, so that we can get a good perspective on our location and still set up in the daylight. 

After all, I need to see in order to gather the kindling for Joelle.

The park ranger assigned us a lovely, private spot to set up camp. Although, most any site would have been private on a weeknight. There wasn't another camper in sight, and we probably set eyes on only a half dozen people in the entire 3200 acres. 

Joelle built another toasty fire, and we made a delicious campfire dinner. Lisa sent along an egg & tot casserole, we toasted Italian bread with olive oil, and served a lovely Pellegrino. We eat quite well on our expeditions. 

And sleep well, too. 

Some may wonder about that. Two women alone in thousands of acres of wilderness? We have always felt perfectly safe. Even when I heard the coyotes howling in Palo Duro canyon. Joelle slept through it, and I didn't tell her til the next morning. While I sleep for 3 or 4 hours most nights at home, I can sleep an easy 8 hours when we are camping. It must be something about a lack of control. No phone. No electricity. Whatever my daytime concerns, I can't do a darn thing about them when I am out in nature. Mundane aggravations and dramas become trivial or disappear altogether.

Plus, we have Scooter with us.

This bendy tree seems to have the stage to itself.

Scooter keeps me company while meditating. He's got my back.

Only the sound of the breeze. 

After packing up the van, we head out to explore the wilderness.

Oh yes, there are gators and snakes.

Cypress knots reach above the surface seeking oxygen for the trees. 

After a refreshing hike, we are ready to get back on the road, headed south again. There are storms headed our way, and we feel fortunate to have had beautiful weather for all but the last leg of our trip.

As we head down highway 17, a light rain begins to fall and the winds buffet the van. We laugh, feeling these conditions are so much more manageable than the high winds we faced in California last year. We got this. 

With every trip, Joelle and I learn more travel and camping skills, and we learn more about ourselves as well. We recognize what is important to us. We realize that we are strong and capable. We return home calm, at peace, and ready to more easily handle whatever comes our way.