lessons learned while camping

Patience. 
Everything takes longer when you are camping so patience truly is a virtue worthy of practice. Heating water to wash dishes. You have to plan for that. You might even have to haul water if your campsite is less equipped.

Imagination.

If you do not have electricity at your campsite, it's going to get darker sooner and you won't have as many options for activities. It may be too dark to read, and too early for bed and while a couple in love may not need any ideas for things to do in the dark, not everyone is in the mood every night.... hence, having some games to play with minimal lighting is a good idea.

More patience.

In a small camper such as ours, storage is at a premium. Almost everything serves a dual purpose and stacking things makes the most of the small cupboards. Hence, patience. I need the storage bin with the anti-itch cream and its underneath the bin with the band-aids and sewing kit. Move things slowly and always put things back. The extra roll of paper towels is behind the binoculars and the box with the travel games. You have to put it all back exactly the same way or it is not going to fit. And once false move and the whole stack can come toppling over on you.

Plan
A 3 burner stove and 2 cooking pans means careful planning for meals. A small work space and even smaller sink means strategic moves and timing. One pot meals are the best. And the less dishes to wash after the better... since you have to heat the water.

How far away is the bathroom? In the middle of the night that is going to make a big difference. And do you have enough quarters for the showers? Can you really do it all in just 3 minutes???

did you pack an extra sweater so you can take a walk out on the dock after dark? It will be cold but laying on the deck and looking at the stars in a sky totally unobstructed by city lights, will yield a bigger thrill than you might have thought possible.  And waking up early so you can see a sunrise? watch the deer graze on the hillside just above your campsite? priceless.

oh there are lessons to be learned while camping.

I appreciate every single one.