Camping solo

[Domestika]

Hi ladies and gents

I'm embarking on a bit of a personal quest. I'm going to go camping this summer. Alone. All alone.

I know people do this all the time and it's no big deal, but it's a big deal for me! I have a bit of a stimulation problem, in that I require it - CONSTANTLY. If I'm not doing 5 things at once I feel "bored" or anxious. I need constant distraction. But I'd like to learn a bit more about myself and what need the distraction is serving.

So! To make a long story...long, I'm going camping this summer for just a few days. My question to you folks is: what do you do when you're camping alone? I'm not into super major hiking, but there'll be trees and a beach and whatnot. Suggestions? Your favourite camping activities?

 

[Zoom]

I like going through and taking a billion pictures, attempting to name trees/plants and basically just absorbing myself in the scents and sounds of the environment around me. And I also bring along books, because I love to just sit and read in the sun.

 

[GlassOnion]

Fishing

 

[Beanie]

I'd suggest books too... maybe some puzzle books? I have sudoku books I like to take when I travel!

 

[HayleyMarie]

All the things you guys have suggested so far are great idea. Take your dogs, go hiking, make your own agility course with the trees hills ect.. Take a book of diffrent plants and trees and see how many you can find. Go bird watching. If you draw find a beautiful place and draw the senery.

If there is a creek, river or lake near by go swimming or wadding in the water, bring a book and soak up the rays.

 

[babymomma]

I pretty much spend most of my time exploring with keely.

That or lying ou tin the sun with her.. Didnt like it much last summer though when I was lid down in the sun outside the camper and keely was asleep on my stomache.. Those were some weird tan lines.

 

[FoxyWench]

swimming is one of my favorite activities, as is just sitting by a camp fire or napping on a blanket in the tree dapled sun with the dogs.
photos are always fun too!
take a journal, read a book...i always keep things free flow...

my camping day (alone or with others) generally goes along the lines of
up, eat something light then do some yoga outside surrounded by nature.
then i usually go for a little walk, collect some wood, back for lunch, after lunch ill typically go for a swim, ill also usually take a small fishing rod and see if i can catch dinner , if its not warm enough for a swim ill just chill on the blanket and read or puzzle or draw...
then light up the fire, dinner and chill for the evening.

ive found its not unusual to occasionally have folks come over to make sure your ok (being a female camping alone) and sometimes youll meet some awesoem people wholl invite you over for a camp fire, evening snaks, general hanging out.

being you will be alone make sure you have a working fully charge cell, and something to protect yourself with...i dont go camping alone without pepper spray, and a large "walking" stick.
SAFTEY!!!

make sure to let a friend or family memmber know WHERE your going, when your leaving, when your comming home ect.

when you go make sure to check in, dpeending on where your camping if its an official camp ground let them know youll be camping alone and that youd apreciate it if possible someone could check in on you in the evenings...
if its just a ranger station, same, let them know who you are, where youll be camping ect.

you just want folks to know your there and check in...just in case...

the rest is basic saftey.

ive found a drawing pad and pencils ot be just plain wonderfull.
if your taking dog/s then something that can easily be hammerd into the ground or tied to a tree to stake out puppy when you need your hands free...

for me camping is all about going with the flow!
once you take the time to just sit and listen ot the wind, watch the trees dance and truly let it take you over...its just so peacefull!

 

[Renee750il]

I take the dogs, books, notebooks for writing. Everything else I wing. The dogs, of course, love walking and exploring.

 

[wcladymacbeth]

drink. what else is camping for? goes well with fishing and sitting on the beach.

 

[stardogs]

If you're going to be near a beach of some sort, why not try building sandcastles? I always loved doing that when I was a kid lol.

 

[Domestika]

These are all fantastic suggestions and tips! I'm so excited now!

I'll most definitely be bringing along a shovel and sand bucket. And my camera!

Good call on the cell phone and "walking" stick.

Unfortunately I'm dog-less. Though I am considering seeing if a friend or friend of friend has a well-behaved dog that could use a little TLC and adventure. And could also be my protection!

 

[Kristen1980]

I would never camp alone. I'm such a sissy. You are so brave! Stay safe and I hope you have fun!

 

[shazbot]

I love camping!!!! After my mom passed I was pretty much camping for about 4-5months just me and the dogs. I drove down the CA coast line and camped at national parks that were typically on the beach or a few steps away from the beach. I'm the same way, I need to be doing something or get all antsy.

Campfires kept me busy, I like poking at it with sticks and letting the sticks burn. For some reason it's really calming for me. I also liked to walk up and down the beaches, or find a nice place to sit and watch the waves roll in. Good books are also another thing. I found that I never really needed to be doing something. Just being there on my own, with my own thoughts was more than enough.

 

[smkie]

No swimming by yourself if even a dog is not along with you. Lots of insect repellent. I imagine just being away from everything wiill let you defuse and be very restorative.

I would love to go camping by myself. I wish I could do that!

 

[puppydog]

Drink!!!!

 

[Domestika]

I don't think stumbling around drunk at a campsite by myself (with fire!) would end up being that relaxing! If I were with friends however...

I really like the idea of taking drawing materials. I've started painting and even drawing with pastels again. So I think I might purchase a big sketch pad with some pencils and pencil crayons before I go.

I may have found a dog buddy to bring. A friend has an extremely mellow 8 year old Pit Bull/American Bulldog cross named Oscar.

 

[Paige]

I wing it. I used to take Bandit camping all the time just him and I. So peaceful. Go exploring, swimming, meet new people etc. Just have fun.

 

[Renee750il]

If you're camping solo, DEFINITELY take a dog buddy with you.

 

[cJw314]

I really like the idea of taking drawing materials. I've started painting and even drawing with pastels again. So I think I might purchase a big sketch pad with some pencils and pencil crayons before I go.

I was waiting for someone to suggest this; glad to see you did. ; )

I'd pack that first and foremost on a solo trip, especially somewhere so grandiose as the beach! Sounds like a great time; enjoy the solitude... and takes notes for your post-trip report!