First time solo camping in NC

With an extended holiday weekend from work, I was on an extreme mission to get out in nature and disconnect from the
routine of life that had been draining my spirit. So what better way to consume time in nature than to be fully emerged
via the art of camping — and it just so happens this is gonna be my first go around this park and ! I’m doing it all solo .

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Where we riding to ? 

For this trip I actually didn’t go very far away from home. 
Being that I was super last minute with planning things
a location that was a reasonable distance was
number one in my searching filter.
My favorite app to search for campsites so far has been
Hipcamp - it allows folks who own land to open the 
space up and welcome others to stay and camp / park. 

Finding your camping location first can also help you
pack specific times depending on what resources may
be provided in the spot you choose and what items
will allow you to enjoy the nature of the location . 

Get $10 in Hip cash by using my code : TAYKIERAH

Here’s where I stayed just outside of Charlotte, NC.
​https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/north-carolina/homestead-asili/well-known-secret-just-outside-town

Bring the essentials 

The top two essential items that you definitely don’t want to leave behind are basically a no brainer - water and food !
I opted for buying two big gallons of water to last fo mr just one entire day of cooking, drinking, and bathing . You’d be
​surprised how little water this is compared to how many gallons of running water you actually waste at home every single day.
​
For food I packed some of my favorite snacks and planned an over the fire cheese quesadilla with a side of veggies & salmon.
These salmon packs will definitely be a staple in future trips of mine, they taste super fresh and isn’t full of oil and additives. 
​ If you have some of your favorite seasonings, herbs, or even just salt & pepper that you want to pack to cook your meals with
pour them into a mason jar to keep the ingredients sealed from any possible spills. 
​

Make yourself at home 

Now the rest of what you pack for your camping trip will depend on what campsite you score
and how you want to explore your moments in nature.
There are some gorgeous spots to camp out there that will be fully stocked with outdoor kitchens, outhouses to handle
​your business, and even running water for showers. But if you’re roughing it and getting all the way out there
like I did, you’ll have to think of a set up that works for you . 
For myself it was extremely important that I was able to sit comfortably to use the bathroom,
take a bath at night, and lay in my Jeep in a comfortable bed .

Because I’ve watched sooo many Van life videos and tours
I had it figured out on how I would turn my Jeep into my 
cozy room for the night. 
Pulling some pillows from home, a comforter,
and twinkle lights really brings the vibe together.

A tip for keeping yourself entertained at night especially
​when you’re solo , is to download some of your favorite 
shows or movies. This is super easy to do right on Netflix
or you can even download what you like to watch
on a usb then plug it into your laptop or iPad . 

— There were two key moments of this trip that really made me feel connected with the space I was in; one waking up to the
     sunrise peaking from behind the trees, and this moment of getting naked and nourishing my skin with this bath potion. --

This gorgeous herbal blend 
was perfect for this trip because it’s full of sage, peppermint, and lavender
​that helps deter mosquitoes.
I completed the steamy bathing potion with
avocado oil to soften my skin and ​peppermint castile soap to wash away all the sweat .

Taking Notes 

​With prepping for tons of future camping trip here’s some things I’ll definitely change and purchase before going .

- Getting a foam mattress pad : I took this item off my list thinking a few blankets would
                                                  provide great cushion in the back of my jeep, and wow was
                                                  I wrong ! That extra cushion was definitely needed. 
- Having window covering : being able to have privacy inside the jeep once the sun went
                                              down would’ve left me a little less concerned that someone would
                                              be looking in on me.
-Taking advantage of amenities : As I move forward I’ll definitely search for camping spots that
                                                     have amenities that I can receive value from. Like a grill
                                                     in place or even electrical hook ups. Spots that don’t have
                                                     these additions aren’t complete turn off for me personally,
​                                                     but if you’re gonna pay for a campsite look for one that
                                                     provides all the things you’d like. 

-Make the trip longer : Once you find your comfort space in the great outdoors I promise you won’t want to leave. Plan your trip
                                      in a way that allows you to explore through the travel time, get your rest in for a day, and also
​                                      explore the location fully. ​