Last weekend, my boyfriend and I decided to take a quick trip to California to camp with our friends and enjoy some warmer weather. Immediately after the work week ended, we packed up the van, grabbed our Instacart groceries, packed up our camping essentials, and hit the road. We were headed out to watch our friends race in the Biltwell 100, an annual dirt bike race that brings thousands of people all over the country together for one weekend. Our 10-hour drive consisted of podcasts, snacks, and amazing views. Living in Utah and being able to drive through amazing landmarks that make you feel like you’re on Mars truly never gets old.
We arrived in Ridgecrest in the middle of the night, surrounded by campers and karaoke-ers, and decided after a long day of driving we’d fold out the bed in the van and hit the hay.
Camping in the van is my preferred method, especially in the colder months. It’s more insulated, quieter, and has ample storage compared to tent camping. The next morning we were awoken by the sounds of engines and comradery which marked the beginning of our first day in the desert.
We cracked open the stove and got to work cooking our favorite camping meal: sausage and egg on English muffins. The rest of the day consisted of being a part of the pit crew for my friends racing, fixing bikes, and providing snacks for them when needed. As the race ended we all made it back to our campsites, cooked up some dinner (Annie’s mac and cheese, of course), and started a fire.
Our last night in the California desert consisted of conversations with friends, catching up on old times, and enjoying the company of other campers. After a full weekend of laughs and hugs, we packed up the van and headed back to the great ‘ol state of Utah. It’s truly amazing how the presence of friends and family can amplify the camping experience. Cooking meals together, laughing about stories on the trail, and sharing drinks– camping is an activity that brings people together and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you have the chance to go camping with a friend this upcoming season, take it, make the most of it, connect with nature, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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