Weekenders: From Never Been to Camping Every Weekend

Weekenders: From Never Been to Camping Every Weekend

By Katina J. Boyds

Being outside was never my thing. Everything needed to be just right before I could enjoy being out in the elements. A perfect 68–70 degrees, sunny but not too sunny, a cool breeze, but absolutely zero humidity. And for the love of all things, definitely no critters! That goes for bugs, reptiles, and rodents.

I used to meet rain, wind, cold, and heat with aggravation and impatience; these conditions were a matter of inconvenience. Nature and being out in the elements were simply transition places for me to get to my next destination. Getting to the next location or goal was my focus.

Well, divorce placed me in a transition place that scrambled my focus.

My next destination was unknown and the goal became: just don’t die. As a single mom, I learned I was stronger than I ever thought I was. From deep within me, there was a desire to stop being afraid of everything.

In an effort to make a change, I joined an online dating platform. I swiped right on a man named Jeff—a single dad with a nice smile. We had a few dinner and movie dates, but Jeff kept wanting to do outside stuff. He had a bike and asked me to go biking with him. I tried to get out of it by telling him I didn’t have a bike. His answer? “Oh, I bought you one.”

And that’s how this girl who never really went outside rode a bike for the first time in more than 25 years.

I also went skiing, golfing, zip-lining, biking down a mountain, and even hiking in the woods! I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of some of these activities the first time, but I went for it, and I enjoyed it!

My new life of adventure was just beginning, and the guy with the nice smile became my husband. Just before our first anniversary, Jeff suggested we go camping. I immediately rejected the idea, because being outside for a few hours doing an activity was one thing, but sleeping outside was a whole different story. When Jeff presented the idea of an RV, he got my attention. Having our own RV would mean running water, heat, air conditioning, and an inside bathroom. Was I still trying to control nature? Yes, absolutely.

We purchased our first travel trailer without ever going camping. On our first trip, getting the camper level took more than an hour and we locked the keys inside. But I truly experienced nature for the first time. I got overwhelmed watching some ducks paddle in the lake. How had I missed all this glory for this long?

After that first trip, I was bitten by the camping bug. I mixed my new love for nature and my love of home decor. Part of the fun of camping for me is decorating the RV. Jeff shakes his head when I bring seasonal decor on our trips, but I know he secretly enjoys the coziness!

Jeff and I are weekend campers and we do the majority of our camping close to home. Since I’m late to the outdoor party, there is so much nature for me to experience in my own backyard! Our routine is to stay at various campgrounds and take in some of the local food and attractions. Dives, diners, wineries, state parks, and unique biking trails are some of our favorite things to experience while camping.

People often ask us how far away we’ve traveled in our RV, and when we answer “five hours,” they scoff. Secretly, I want to say, “Homie, we haven’t done a third of the stuff ten minutes away; we will get there!” Taking our RV to the Grand Canyon is definitely on our bucket list.

I think one of the reasons I love camping so much is because it’s something Jeff and I started together. In a second marriage, especially when children are involved, many traditions and patterns are already in place, and each partner must graciously maneuver around them. We introduced our blended family to camping. Even though our kids are all young adults navigating their own lives, we have made some new memories with them!

I used to say camping was about problem solving because something always goes wrong. But really, camping is about gaining perspective on life. When we camp, moments are taken one by one, including any imperfections like rain, mechanical malfunctions, and traffic.

Jeff and I usually camp at least once a month, all year long! We even tent camped without a real bathroom a few months ago and had a blast.

Moments with our family and in our marriage are far from perfect, but they are ours. We can choose to accept them, as fragmented as they may be, or reject them because everything is not perfect. Weather is no longer a distraction for me. I still don’t love the critters, but I’m getting better day by day.

We are on a mission to inspire other “inside peeps” to step outside. I am so thankful Jeff encouraged me to start RVing and exploring God’s landscape. We truly “love by camping.” ■

About the Author

Katina Boyd is a clinical pharmacist, home decor stylist, mom, and one half of Love By Camping. She and her husband, Jeff, explore local sites close to their home in their RV and record their adventures on their YouTube channel, Love By Camping. They are on a mission to inspire other people to get outside. Jeff and Katina have three children: Braxton, Aryonna, and Anaiya. Follow their adventure on Instagram @lovebycamping.