The picture on the right is really me. Honestly. It was taken in 1975 by the camp fire at the Ponderosa Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I don't think the campground is there anymore. All through my childhood and into my teen years, my family would camp there every Easter break. Since the water was always too cold to swim, my brother and I would spend hours upon hours flying kites on the deserted, windy beach. My mom & I would walk the beach daily, barefooted, with jeans rolled up to the calves and hooded sweatshirts keeping us warm.
My family was lucky enough to do a lot of camping through my youth. The Easter trip, weekends in the 1000 islands (beechnuts galore! YUM), Moc-a-tec and Breezewood Acres were fixtures through various stages of my upbringing. I love camping to this day.
My parents and my brother's family have moved onto vacationing by way of condo. We continue to have countless weeks and weekends having a blast in Ocean City, Maryland. There's something to be said about sitting on the balcony, drink on the table, reading a great book. Or sitting in the sand chair, watching Sunfish scurry through the waves doing her best to keep up with the sand pipers who are doing their best to get away from her as quickly as possible.
Hubby and his family spent all of their vacation time camping. A vacation isn't a vacation unless he has firestick in hand, poking at the coals. He & I have tried to get our kids camping as often as possible. Thanks to his family, we've had many years camping in Canada. Last year, we rented a cabin in southwestern PA. All 5 of us and Mountain Man spent 4 great days full of wonderful conversation and great camping food.
Yea, I'll admit, I've got the best of both worlds. If only it would snow...
Reader poll:
What do you prefer? Camping or condo-ing?