Maine Revisited

Anytime you see hot air balloons, it's a good omen. At least that is what I tell myself.

On Day 1 of our camping trip we headed out of Canada and towards the American border. We were fed, rested, and ready for adventure. Then suddenly out of the sky, we spot 4 hot air balloons, just hanging out like nobody's business. Who owns a hot air balloon?! I don't think I had seen one since the late 70's. I pointed them out to my children, who had surely never seen one before. As I watched them float in the sky, it stirred up a lot of nostalgic feelings for me...memories of being a kid in the 70's, summertime with my family, and lying out in the backyard imagining shapes in the clouds. It's funny how a smell or an object can transport you back to a place that you thought was forgotten.

Lalala...back to reality. I do that sometimes. After losing lots of time en route to Maine, we checked in at Recompense for our second stay with them. Knowing that the previous stay had us camped too far from flush toilets, I booked a spot in the new part of the campground. AND...it did not disappoint dear campers! "The facilities" were large and clean and just around the bend from our site.

Once we settled in and had all of our gear unpacked, I decided that I would try and make a pizza over the campfire. I had stopped at the local Wal-Mart and picked up some pre-made dough (thank you Kof-K). See what I mean about food in America? Who in Maine needs pizza dough with certification!? Let's just say that I gave renewed meaning to the term "happy camper".

I had never made pizza over a campfire or even a stove top, but really, how hard could it be? When I went to get the dough I realized that it had been sitting in my overly warm car for THREE hours. Oh yeah. It was big...really big, and it smelled like beer. Since my only back up option was Tradition Soup or baked beans, I decided to give it a go anyway. I sprayed my pan, punched out a pizza dough, and slathered it up with sauce and cheese. After about 12 minutes I was beginning to smell the pizza, but none of the cheese had melted yet. You guessed it...black on the bottom. And so it was with my first campfire pizza. Next time I would come better prepared knowing that kosher pizza dough could be found in Wal-Mart!

After some sitting by the fire and having s'mores, we walked over to the ocean to see if the tide had come in yet. Suddenly a bridal party arrived with the bride and groom in tow still in their bridal clothing. Was I in some weird Fellini film? Did I just see a bride and groom come to camp on their wedding night? My innner JAP asked, "what kind of people celebrate their wedding night at a campground?" Perhaps they were two people who met while working at the campground. Surely that could be the only answer. My mind couldn't comprehend a second option.

What was really cool about this wedding party is that they took out a large rectangular red fabric covered object and lit a candle inside of it. Then quietly and gracefully they pushed it up into the air, and it floated so gently up and up and up, high above our campground, high above the ocean, and then drifted away in the night sky. They then lit another fabric box candle, and it too floated away. And then a third, fourth and fifth. My whole family stood there in silence staring into the night sky, watching the fabric balloons disappear into the darkness. 

Don't forget to visit L.L. Bean!

What Kind of Camper Are You?

Camping actually covers a wide range of how people decide to experience nature. There are people who do back country camping, where they hike and camp in undeveloped areas. It's true there are some national parks which have campsites in back country locations. These are unserviced. They do not have running water, toilet, or anything at all. What it usually means is that you have a ground clearing and possibly a firepit. That's it! Often times, you have to canoe or walk in to these sites with all your gear. They will also call them "walk-in" sites.

Then there is car camping. This is the form of camping that my family is comfortable with. We get to pack our car full of our stuff, drive right up to campsite, put up our tent, and unload. We always choose a site with a firepit and something that is not more than a 5 minute walk from the flush toilets. Usually, there will also be a spout for water located within a few minutes walk or less. This type of camping means that you will be camped near other people. Some of these sites also allow a trailer that does not require hook-ups.

RV camping or trailer camping gives you the option to sleep inside a structure. You can pull your RV or camper into campsites reserved for these. They have electrical, water, and sometimes sewage hook-ups. If you crave quiet and nature, you might want to ask to be located far away from the RV section of the campsite.

Glamping=glamour camping...oh la la! I'd like to glamp someday, but it's usually out of our budget. This might include staying in a glammed out tipi, yurt, or large tent. Check out these deluxe camp accommodations in British Columbia! It has everything...including an ensuite bathroom. It only runs $1800 a night!

http://www.wildretreat.com/About_Clayoquot_Wilderness_Resort/index.asp

Welcome to The Frampers

This blog has been germinating for about 3 years. Three years is the amount of time that it has taken for me to research camping and begin to feel comfortable with the challenges that arise when you're an observant Jew heading off into the wilderness. How do I keep kosher in a place where kosher food isn't available? Shabbos? Can I wash my sheitel in a river? Just kidding!

I finally decided to create this blog to help individuals or families out there who are interested in framping (frum camping), but find the idea of all the details a little overwhelming.

Why do my family and I camp?

This idea came about almost three years ago when my sister decided to quit her comfy but not so fulfilling job and take a 6 month road trip across the US to "figure things out". She camped in National Parks all over the western part of America. She inspired me to start thinking about my family's lack of connection to wilderness. What memories will my children have when they look back on their childhood? Vacation getaways in the Hilton? Disneyland? Don't get me wrong; I'm not dissing Disney, but being surrounded by nature opens you up in ways that you just won't get in a typical urban setting. People sit around the campfire, and get this...they talk! Kids use their imagination and not their DS. Being in nature makes you understand and respect your place in it. Watching the night skies teaches you humility. There are many reasons to get out in nature, but most of all, reconnecting with nature is peaceful.