This weekend, I unplugged and spent some time with nature. Ben and I received a tent for our wedding and then stored it away for more than 5 years. We camped before our wedding but for various reasons, we haven’t been since (although I camped without Ben the summer I spent in California). A few weeks ago, I decided this needed to change and I made reservations at Cayo Costa State Park, an island about 2-1/2 hours south of us.

Now, one may think it is a little crazy to go camping in 90-degree weather, and after the hour-long boat ride, the trek to the campsite, and the time spent setting up our tent and gear, I was ready to agree with that statement. But then we headed toward the beach. And at about the same time the gulf breeze hit us, I saw this:

Our first glance at the nearly deserted beach where we would spend most of the weekend. And from that point on (aside from a run-in with the most annoying bugs ever) we had a great time.

We hiked.

Read on the beach.

Built campfires.

And watched two beautiful sunsets.

I am happy to be home and showered and sitting in air-conditioning, but I’m already thinking about where our next camping trip should be.

I hope everyone else had a great weekend.