CAMPING IS IN TENTS

The start of fall decided to fall on the exact day that we had planned to start our weekend-long camping trip. We were a little behind this year, we kept talking about camping but never sat down and picked a date to put aside. Finally we got our shit together and figured out which was the nearest free weekend. The first 2 weekends in September were nice and warm and we had high hopes that we could piggy-back on this warm end of summer. But on Friday morning it was clear we’d be doing some cold weather camping.

I packed up lots of layers (including my bean boots – an act that felt a little sacrilegious this early in the year) and hoped the rain would hold out as much as possible. Matt picked me up at work and after a three hour drive, we set up camp in our little slice of nature. Beside a middle aged couple who loved staying up late, listening to Taylor Swift.

We made a toasty fire (fighting over which pyro had control over the project) and then enjoying a – very late – dinner.  We made the indispensable camping dinner. Hot dogs (and tofu dogs) on Boulangerie Guillaume hotdog buns with a side of farmers’ market potatoes, wedged and baked in foil with onions, garlic and butter. Matt sipped local Ontario beer while I mixed moonshine and heated apple juice. Hot alcoholic beverages are a life saver on a cold night camping. The meal was topped off with a s’more or 2. I don’t know about everyone else but for me, camping is all about the food. You can deny that there is something so special and rewarding about cooking your meal over an open flame.

In the morning, we quickly built the fire back up, to keep warm but also because coffee was needed.That’s the downside to campfire cooking;  impatiently waiting for the water to boil. Makes me so glad fire is only a switch away at home. Oh and lets not forget the local coffee shop who takes (most of) the waiting out of the morning coffee ritual. I did however have a beautiful view of the lake while I sat by the growing morning fire, wrapped in a plaid wool blanket and I enjoyed the moment despite wishing my hands were holding a hot cup of joe. After that urgent need was tended to, we got to starting up breakfast of scrambled eggs, sweet potatoes and veggie breakfast sausages, and our second course of hot caffeinated beverage (tea) once we chugged down all the coffee. Breakfast was ready just in time for the rain to come pouring down so we enjoyed breakfast inside the tent – watching sadly as our hard earned blazing fire got knocked down a peg. After a little while hanging out in the tent, we decided to venture out into nearby Perth, and welcomed the opportunity to warm up in the car.

The rain lasted through the late morning and most of the afternoon. Luckily we found the best thing to keep one busy while it rains and pours outside – thrift stores! We checked out a cute little charity shop that was full to the brim with goodies. I picked up a white cast iron Copco skillet from Denmark in the 60s and some Corningware bowls and plates to match my growing Butterfly Gold collection. I left a little giddy. We also stopped off at an indoor flea market and spent a good while perusing the many little booths filled with lots of (mostly overpriced) antiques and vintage goodies. When we finished our window shopping, the rain had all but stopped and we headed back to the campground to make nachos. Cuz that’s how we roll. Since it was a late lunch, we didn’t wait too long to start prepping dinner: Chilli mac & cheese. I’m a mac & cheese purist but Matt convinced me last year that combining these two comfort foods was a very good idea. I thought it would be a great idea to make one pot chilli mac and cheese (you cook the pasta IN THE CHILLI – it’s genius) and it did not disappoint. It was a welcomed hot and hearty meal on a chilly evening. Chilli for the chilly.

After an even colder night, we packed up the car bright and early and set on a mission to find a diner. Enough with this silly cooking our own breakfast and coffee! Serve us over-easy eggs while we use your bathroom to brush our teeth in our smoke-filled, chocolate stained clothes. Please and thank you. p.s. boiled potatoes do NOT equal home fries. After the drive home, hot showers, dishwashers and washing machines (we are talking about Matt’s place of course – mine doesn’t have such luxuries) were much appreciated.
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