How close to nature can you feel when you go tent camping? That probably depends on how far removed from natural surroundings you are in everyday life. For most people it’s a pretty big gap. We live in cities that do everything to insulate us from our environment. We drive fancy smooth riding cars that try to make travel more comfortable. We live and work in buildings that keep us comfortable. We even seek comfort food.
Even with all this comfort your mind says you are missing something. You feel it when strolling in the park. A simple thing like the wind, sunshine or a curious looking cloud make you wonder what you are missing. In a hectic and frantic world you seek refuge. Since you live in the city you go back to your artificially controlled environment. For me the remedy is to travel and go camping so I recommend it for everybody.
Open space is the key here. Looking out over great distances gives you a peek at the wholeness of nature. I enjoy reading the geologic interpretations. See the flatness on the tops of the hills in the distance. That was a sea floor tens of millions of years ago. Water eroded the valleys into the earth. So I bring out the camera and take a picture, it’s a snapshot in time.
At some point in every camping trip I’ve ever gone on I feel it. Sometimes it’s right away or maybe after a while. It’s what I look for in every camping adventure. It starts with the feeling of getting closer to nature. I stare at the campfire and let my mind clear itself. Then I can relax.