An evening in camp

An occasional burst of laughter rises up from somewhere not too far away. Neighbors hidden by their campers as fires billow smoke and fairy lights give us an idea of where their group has migrated.

We’ve never been to this campground, but after finally investing in a rooftop tent, we were determined to get our first weekend in.

Our fire is glowing and the sun is nearly gone from the sky - replaced instead with the bright glow of the moon and stars appearing by the minute.

We talk about our highlights from the day. The trails, the unexpected river access, the the fat raindrops that came out of nowhere. The bursts of color that pop up from the forest floor as flowers, the toppled trees and limbs and the small creatures that move across the natural adventure park. The couple of bites we got on our fishing lines - a quick tug before we had time to react. The fish nearly invisible in the moving currents. We giggle about the hill we had to slide down and how long it took our feet to thaw after walking in the river. Then smile as we enjoy the silence that’s not completely quiet.

A cool breeze winds between the trees, carrying scents from the woods. Flowers, dirt, pine and a hint of something I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe a memory of being a kid? Maybe a new memory forming.

Smoke from the fire wraps back around into my face, hot and for a second my eyes burn before it changes directions again.

Shadows grow around us as voices begin to hush. Our neighbors start going on last minute runs to the restroom across the gravel paths before tucking in to their tents and campers. We wait out the end of our fire then crawl up in to our tent and zip up the doors.

Listening to the outdoors as we fall in to sleep. Listening to the wind in the branches, the occasional drips of rain throughout the night, the crickets chirping and all the noises that settle into the woods.

Our breathing slows and we’re on the edge of sleep. Slowly, our minds wander, dreaming of the forests shadowed in green, the cold mountain streams and the way the birds float in the breeze.

Live big.