Ok, so, I really love camping! Even the kids really love camping.

I feel like a good camping trip just isn’t complete without a good amount of rain. Whether you are braving the backcountry lifestyle or the car camping luxury – a bit of rain always makes for a good story! Here’s some snippets for you to enjoy!

But, the most interesting thing about being stuck in the rain is the perspective it offers.

I literally have everything I need under my little tarp!

I can cook if need be or just snack on some no cook foods. I can play games (in fact, many a good memory has been made with Yahtzee or Farkle under a tarp!) I can read (especially when camping solo!) I can gather rain water as a drinking source! I can even have a glass of wine or two.

Everything I need is under my little shelter!

If it’s raining overnight, I have a dry sleeping bag, warm pj’s, and still have my book!

So! If I have everything I need under my little tiny waterproof tarp, how can I possibly think that I need everything in my home?? As long as the basics are covered, everything else is just the extra fluff that I am choosing that I need, or at least noting that my wants overpower my real need!

Every time I get home from a rainy camping trip, I am grateful for that solid roof over my head and easy luxuries to enjoy. But within a week or so, I feel a strong urge to purge! After living without, no matter whether your trip is 2 nights or 5 nights, you can easily realize that we live in a world of excess!!

Go camping. Test your needs! All you really need is food, shelter, clothing, some minimal furniture like a table and chairs, and a small handful of luxury items like hammocks, lights, books, and wine!

What do you think you’d never live without? Share in the comments!

Thanks for coming home!