You don’t need to travel far to have a good break. Just one night of camping does wonders in lowering stress levels and getting back to basics.
This weekend we drove less than two hours from Melbourne to reach Majors Creek, near Seymour. A tranquil river side setting surrounded by majestic gum trees and plenty of bird life. A last minute getaway with friends which reminded me yet again why I love camping so much and how good it is for us. Just doing these simple things:
Watching the sun rise
I’m always the first one up. I love watching the colors change in the sky and reflecting on the water as the sun peeks through and listening to early morning birdsong as the water hens and birds welcome in a new day.
There are no excuses not to relax
There’s no chores to be done. No hard decisions to be made. Camping is the perfect excuse to put your feet up and relax. For me to write. Contemplate life. Meditate. It’s easy in the great outdoors. Listen to the buzz of insects, the song of a bird, the crackle of the fire.
Or ramp up the action
If you prefer you can hike, cycle, walk, kayak, jet boat, whatever you fancy to get the adrenalin pumping. With all that exercise you’re almost guaranteed a good night sleep.
Savor the moment and every meal
Cooking is infinitely more social in the great outdoors. And it’s one time when hubbs is head chef riverside. Good food, good company, fresh air. Life doesn’t get much better.
Whether it’s a chargrilled steak, a simple salad roll or a hearty breakfast of baked beans, eggs and bacon cooked over the coals, there’s little doubt that food tastes better outside.
Unless the wind picks up to such an extent that the dust threatens to become part of your meal. Answer: seek cover. Luckily we had a nice van to retreat into.
Be an Adventurer and go exploring
Exploring is part of the adventure of camping. Just up the road was this historical Major Mitchell sign as well as Mitchelton Winery, in case we ran out of wine!
Watch the sun set and be mesmorised by a camp fire
As the day draws to a close the best feeling is being outside in nature, saying goodbye to the daylight and welcoming in a moonlit sky.
When we all sit in front of a camp fire at night meditation, normally so hard for me, is incredibly easy. The camp fire becomes our entire world.
May we all get a chance to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
I wish you all a happy and mindful day, full of peace and joy.
Hey, really wonderful snaps!! indeed a quiet,serene place too!! 😀
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Thanks so much. It was definitely peaceful.
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would love to visit such kind of places for once 😀
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You read my thoughts 🙂
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🙂
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I’m so jealous! I haven’t been camping in years, but I’m going this summer!
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Good for you. Sounds like you’re long overdue for a camping getaway.
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My last camping trip was in 1993!
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What? That’s way too long ago. You need to put this on top of your list of things to do this year.
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Already started buying the gear!
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Yay, good for you!
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I always camp as a minimalist. Only what you can carry!
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Sounds good. Can of baked beans, swag and you’re off. You can go anywhere then.
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Just open the can a little, set in the fire for 5 minutes, and a couple hot dogs on a stick and dinner is served! Desert for me is a good brandy!
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Absolutely perfect!
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Camping rocks! 😃
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Well said! 🙂
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Amazing shots Miriam, hope you had a great time.
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Thanks and yes, we did, it was very relaxing.
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Beautiful, Miriam! In the summer vacation I plan with my father to go in a trip like you did. Somewhere up in the mountains with a 4 wheels Jeep. There are beautiful 3 days trips on an untouched land with a guy who knows all the tricks and who give us all the necessary, car, driver, tent and so on.
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Sounds absolutely perfect.
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Yes, it sounds 🙂
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A beautiful post! I love your pictures. They are simply stunning. Camping is really not my thing; I much prefer a simple walk with nature, but this is what I love the most about your writing – “You don’t need to travel far…” I’m not going far today, just to the local art museum with friends, but I hope it is meditative and restorative. Thanks for the reminder to take time to be present.
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Thanks for your lovely comment Lulu. And you’re right, camping’s not for everyone but it sounds like you’ve got a great day planned at the museum today. Hope you enjoy.
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It was wonderful! We saw an exhibit of artwork by “Grandma” Moses, a self-taught American artist. I was so impressed by how prolific she was. She painted because she loved to create, and didn’t worry about technique or criticism. In an interview, she said, “Anyone who wants to paint can paint. You just – paint!” What a great perspective.
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She sounds like a pretty inspirational artist. Glad you had such a good time.
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Love the beans! 🙂
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Ha, ha, thanks Jayson. A hearty way to start the day!
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something about beans and camping….love it!
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I think they go hand in hand! When there’s nothing else to eat beans is always a great staple, where ever you are!
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You’ve said it all, perfect. Looks like a great spot.
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Thanks Lindsey, it was.
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It’s nice to go somewhere close and then just relax. I’ve written a series of posts called Close to Home. It’s great to get away and not have far to drive. This looks like a beautiful camping spot.
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Thanks, and yes, overnighters close to home are perfect for a quick and relaxing getaway.
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Miriam, this is a fantastic post! Just my kind of relaxation, enjoying the sun and in the evening simply meditating away by a beautiful fire. Loved it! If you have more posts like this, my life just became better 🙂
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Thanks so much Ana for your lovely words. And yes, this is a typical camping trip for me, I love being out in nature, so it isn’t and won’t be the last post like this!
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Looks like you had a great time!
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Yes, had a ball.
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We often camp but I must confess with a 2 & 4 year old there is not much time to relax!! I am sure that will all change soon enough. Looks like you had a good weekend.
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It really does get better! My two are 5 & 7, and when they were younger, camping felt like just too much work. Now, though, they love our trips. I love watching them interact with nature and leave the technology behind. Hang in there!
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It will get easier once they get older.
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Lucky you….
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Happiness is in the simplest of things in life, as you adventures say over here.
I like to enjoy my time offs doing exactly the same, just being with nature.
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Good for you Alok. Best way to de-stress.
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Looks great. My wife and I used to camp a lot when we lived in Upstate NY. Yes, there were bears to worry about, but they were pretty docile being used to people. Now that we live in Florida and there are things that can crawl in your tent and kill you in your sleep, we don’t camp much anymore.
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Geez, that doesn’t sound too appealing. Even the bears sound friendlier!
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Yes, a wonderful relaxing time when camping. I have not been in so many years, I need to revisit this again soon. Thanks Miriam for sharing your camping trip – I enjoyed it! 🙂
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Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
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I have rarely been camping (once I became an adult, anyway), but after reading this description, I think I’m going to have to give it another try!
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Why not? You might love it.
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What a perfect way to enjoy life!
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Makes one long for summer. 🙂
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We have one week left of summer.
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Ah that looks lovely. Nothing nicer than being out in the bush, watching the flames of the campfire 🙂 I think we need more of this in every day life.
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Most definitely! I’d do it every weekend if I could.
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Very true !
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I couldn’t agree more, you forget that simple beauty remains the purest of all 😉
Sabrina –
http://OrganicIsBeautiful.com
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So true. Thanks Sabrina.
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I so agree with you Miriam… you definitely don’t need to travel to break everyday’s routine….lovely place you have been to 👍
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It was lovely, thanks. Just a short break but so relaxing.
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I can imagine 🌞
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I’m so glad you shared this! This is something we’ve been wanting to do, you’ve just sealed it for us!
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Yay. Do it, you’ll love it.
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Baked beans, eggs, and bacon sounds good!
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It almost qualifies as a gourmet meal when camping!
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It does. It’s not easy to cook while camping. However, we had a trailer with a stove inside, so we could eat normally 🙂 We still cooked our breakfasts on a grill outside.
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Us too. We have the convenience of a stove but nothing beats cooking over the coals outside.
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I love cooking hot dogs over a campfire.
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Beautiful pictures! Looks like you had a lovely time! I can’t believe I’m just getting to this post now but I’m glad I did, brought a huge smile to my face. I’m glad you had such a great relaxing weekend my friend!
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Thanks Niki, it was a great break. Only one night away but when you relax totally it feels like a lot longer.
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Maybe something you can work into your life evry now and then. Even if it’s not far away 🙂
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Absolutely, Niki. It doesn’t take much sometimes.
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🙂
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Another awesome post about enjoying the simple things life offers us. This reminds me of a status I posted years ago (when I had Facebook). I posted that I was just back from a two day vacation in the Bay (rural Newfoundland). A friend commented that I was the only one who called two days away a vacation but it was. No traffic, no street lights, the quiet solace and solitude of clean air, starry moonlit skies and tech free.
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I’m so glad you could relate, Thomas. It really isn’t about going away for a long time, but how we choose to spend it. Sounds like you had a great time in the Bay. Have you been camping more recently?
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Yes, it is! I don’t camp any more because where I live there are only about 70 people and I am near the salt water. It’s like I am permanently camping 🙂
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Well, now you’ve made me totally jealous!!!!
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🙂 ooops, I didn’t mean to 😀
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Hahaha. That’s ok. I can handle it 🙂
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🙂 If you’ve seen any of the pics I have posted then you see where I live. It’s all the same around here….:)
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I just had another refresher and reminder of your photos. Deep sigh. Yes, you definitely live in a slice of paradise. I am happy for you.
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It is, and I take it not for granted 🙂 Thank you, Miriam.
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I’m sure you don’t. Stay happy Thomas 🙂
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🙂 That’s my goal, Miriam.Hope you are having a great day!
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My Sunday’s just started, Thomas, in a nice slow way.
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Those are the best ones, slow 🙂 May it continue to unfold at a pace that leaves you content and may it be filled with all things good 🙂
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It already has, with your beautiful comment. Thank you. 🙂
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Aww, you are most welcome, Miriam 🙂
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This blog really made me want to get out there to eat, sleep, and zone out by the fire and water. A perfect post for a 70 degree day in Wisconsin in MARCH. Good work!
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Thank you so much, I’m glad it helped to zone you out and warm you up! 🙂
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Very nice pix. We leave for the Grand Canyon in less than 2 wks and I am exhausted at the mere thought (packing, travel).
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I bet you are. But it’ll be worth it, how very exciting. Hope you have a wonderful time. Look forward to seeing lots of pics! 🙂
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