Why do some folks hate winter time so much? Is it the cold, the snow, the icy roads, or is it something else they truly fear, like getting the winter blues because they always think there's nothing to do. I for one love winter, now I don't care much for the heat bill, but as far as the snow, and the cold and the other things the season provides, it's wonderful to me.
You should learn to use the cold, snowy winter to your advantage instead of a means for depression. One thing I learned years ago, is the more it snows, the happier it is for me. Your probably thinking this person is a lot different then I am, aren't you? Will, that is what makes folks like we are, were all humans but we all have different likes and dislikes. Now, let me get back to this articles subject which is; ' How to shake the winter blues with winter camping '.
Thousand of people love going camping every year, and when I was younger and lived with my parents and brother, we would all get together and go camping together. There was nothing as exciting and fun as camping. You could take a tent to sleep in, or stay inside in a camper or other vehicle at night, but being in a tent seemed to be the best. We would always sleep on folding cots, and cover up with blankets.
One night when we were all in our tents a skunk came wandering in, and visited us, we all stayed still and tried not to scream or react suddenly, until the skunk wandered back outside. We were pretty sure we were going to get sprayed, but remaining quiet and calm, didn't alarm the skunk, even then the experience was exciting and fun, to this day my brother and I still chuckle about the incident.
When we went camping it seemed my parents always took ups to a campground, where you could park a camper or some other vehicle. Most of these places had restrooms or outhouses and even running water and electric hookup, so they were not very primitive or wild, as far as true camping goes, but we always had fun. If you own your own land, you can go camping on it anytime you want, now I want to tell you about a form of camping that a lot of people don't even think about, winter camping.
Some people truly go winter camping and by that, I mean they actually stay out in the winter cold and snow, all night in tents. They use heavy insulated sleeping bags and cots, to keep warm, and other items. I am not talking about that type of winter camping, because if you are not experienced with it, it can be dangerous. There are risk factors that you must consider with staying out all night while winter camping, like proper shelter from blowing wind and a large snow during the night, and you must make sure you stay warm while your sleeping. If you want to try this form of winter camping, it's up to you, and the risks involved are up to you.
The winter camping fun I am talking about is easy and pretty safe, if you use common sense. On them cold crisp winter evenings, pack up the camping utensils, such as coffeepots or other cooking items, and some snacks, like marshmallows, chocolate, coffee, pretzels, or whatever you want to take, also take along some of the folding camping chairs. Bundle everyone up, hop on the snowmobiles or ATV's or other 4 wheel drive vehicles, and head towards a nice wooded area that has a clearing, or some field on your own nearby land, or on a family member or friends, that you have permission. Make sure the place your going is safe for a campfire, you can build a nice warm fire with some branches and wood gathered at the site, or take your own wood with you. Roast marshmallows around the fire, and drink hot chocolate together, and cook hotdogs.
You can even take binoculars or a telescope with you and enjoy some winter star gazing, the sky is the most clear during the cold winter evenings. You can sit around the campfire and tell ghost stories, and even play games together. Then when it starts getting real late, make sure the fire is out, and head back home. These little winter camping trips, can last a few hours each, and they are cheap and fun to do, giving you a great activity for family fun, and a great way to help shake the winter blues.
There is a website that describes numerous activities and other methods to help eliminate the Winter Blues, this website is called: Winter Activities - and it may be found at this url:
http://www.winter-activities.com
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