According to my Fitbit, I walked over 30,000 steps on Saturday and let me tell you… I felt it on Sunday. While every inch of my body might have been tired, it was a good tired. Camping is always a good kind of tired. You’re drunk on fresh air and nature, the sun has fueled you the entire day, and technology is far enough away that you don’t feel the constant pull of its various forms.
I really do enjoy our camping trips. 
I would say that this first trip of the season was a fairly successful one. Neither of us had been to Starved Rock but had friends who had good things to say about it. Unfortunately, things got off to a rocky start (pun intended) because we were stuck in traffic for almost two hours! What should have been a 90-minute trip took almost twice as long. By the time we finally set up camp and got to eat some dinner, it was almost 9 pm.
See where those people are in the middle? You walk through that and get to…
This. Including random guy in bucket hat.
Luckily, things only went up from there.
After a good nights sleep (minus a few interruptions from a very nosy/curious trash panda) we woke ready to hike at the state park portion of Starved Rock. We had breakfast and then hit the trails. I’m glad we got there pretty early because it was super busy by the time we decided to head back home. I don’t mind a few people on the trails with us but there were actual crowds on some parts. I live in Chicago, I go camping to escape the crowds.
After a long winter, this much green makes me happy.
You get to walk underneath this waterfall, which is pretty nifty.
Once we got back to our site and had a quick but much-needed lunch, we showered and just relaxed around the campfire. It felt good to sit after hiking over 10 miles earlier that day. Adam and I chatted, read some good books, and just say quietly by the fire. It’s kind of nice to relax and have absolutely nothing to do.
Pre-shower and just about to eat lunch.
That just showered smile.
Adam likes to take pictures when I’m not paying attention. Also, please try not to blind yourself on my pasty white glow!
Camp cook = willing to singe all the hairs on your hand off for food.
After dinner, we decided to walk around the campgrounds a little because we clearly hadn’t walked enough before. It’s kind of fun to just wander around and see other people enjoying camping as much as you do. Plus, you get to judge other people’s tents and fire building abilities. Sorry, I’m not sorry for being a Judgy Judy.
We packed up pretty early on Sunday morning so we could get back to the city without a ton of traffic. Instead of taking almost four hours, this time we were back in the city in under an hour and a half. Much better.
While Adam took our car and camping gear back to my parent’s house, I stayed home and tried to get things ready for next week. I was too tired to do much food prep, but I did make sure both of us have lunches for next week. Thursday before we left, I had the good insight to cook up a bunch of chicken thighs in the Instant Pot and then shred them. Now I have quick dinner options for the rest of the week. Thanks past Katie, sometimes you know what you’re doing. 
Alright, it’s time to get back to reality on this Monday morning and tackle some exciting new things this week. Like launching nutrition services. More info to come soon…
Life Healthfully Lived 