Camping not impossible in winter
As a lover of all things outdoors, I’ve been camping for as long as I can remember.
My parents instilled that love of the great outdoors, a campfire, s’mores and the primitive tent setting at a very early age.
As an adult now, I try to go as often as I can. And just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean it’s off-limits.
My boyfriend Jake and I spent last weekend cabining at Kooser State Park, high in the mountains of Somerset County.
I have to credit Jake for doing his research and stumbling across this hidden gem. We booked the reasonably priced cabin about two months ago and prayed there would be snow for our winter weekend getaway, which seemed unfathomable during these unseasonably mild winter months. We lucked out.
The rustic cabin was enhanced by the three inches of freshly-fallen snow and temperatures in the teens.
Our little cabin was tucked into a grove of pine and tall oak trees. After opening the door, the warm aroma of woodsmoke from years of use takes you to another place. It reminded me of my grandparent’s home, where it’s always cozy and inviting, and eliminating that woodsy smell.
I suppose in a way, we were spoiled. Modern appliances, including a fridge, stove and microwave, accompanied the “kitchen and dining” area in the small cabin. The one room dwelling also featured a bunk bed, a full-size bed and a table with several chairs.
And true to tradition, this cabin was complete with a stone chimney and large wood-burning stove for those chilly nights.
One of my personal highlights of the trip was waking before sunrise one morning and venturing to the lake in 12-degree weather. It was brisk, and invigorating.
Mother Nature had already invited her friends out, though, as a number of small animal tracks were seen in the fresh snow.
The rising sun cast shadows through the abundant mountain laurel and tall pines.
Overall, the outdoor experience of camping, or cabining, is an exhilarating one.
On the flip side, it’s also a chance to relax and recharge. There’s no time schedules, no appointments. No obligations or demands.
It’s just a chance to kick back, maybe overeat a bit, explore something new, and for me, a pleasantly lazy way to interact with a snowy landscape.