I’m not sure how long the serenity in the picture above lasted, or it was whether my attention span or my boys’ energy that first required a change in activity. It may have been ten minutes or it may have been an hour.

Either way, these are among the slow, splendid moments that make camping what it is.

This particular morning, my husband left to wade through the river, deftly cast his line across the water, and bask in the peacefulness of the mountains whilst waiting on fish.

My children and I remained at camp. There was no alternative to occupying ourselves with what we could find around the site. We read. We painted. We played trucks. (They played trucks). We ate and ran and shot darts. We lounged in the hammock, swaying back and forth and wondering when in the world is he coming back ?!

(Incidentally, I have a lot of experience with this. I am told that time on the river is unlike time anywhere else and three hours is more like ten minutes so I can’t hold it against him. At which point I explain that time with three small children (6 months pregnant on our trip) is unlike anywhere else and three hours is more like five days so he maybe he could start checking his watch more).

He did in fact return in time for our evening’s plans. No one worse for the wear and a new fun game created for the enjoyment (containment) of the boys.

I do sincerely hope that you find this series on camping inspiring and helpful.

I mentioned it already, but listening to John Piper’s podcast this morning reiterated to me the importance of sharing the beauties and wonders of God’s creation with ourselves and our children. The marvels and immenseness of God’s created world are calling people to join God in glorifying Himself. A wasted life is one that misses this, one that “isn’t shaped by the meaning of the universe to display the glory of God.”

So whether you spend the night in a tent or in a building, get outside together. Leave the asphalt. Trade tall buildings for towering trees. Fill your ears with the sounds of a forest rather than the noise of the city. Count stars. Climb rocks. Collect moments.