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My husband and I used to camp when our boys were younger but as we are growing older, we have traded our tent for a hotel room when we go places. I have a friend who likes outdoor adventures liking camping and backpacking. I have been a couple of places with her and always had a great time. She suggested that we go on a little camping trip and I took her up on it. We began planning several months before so I had time to get some equipment but not all of it. She helped me to get ready by supplying a tent and gave me a list to start getting equiment.

This past weekend, we traveled out to Enchanted Rock Nature Park north of Fredericksberg, TX. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive but it was really worth it. The temperatures had been below freezing for the past 2 days here in Houston, but we decided to go because the forecast for the weekend promised warmer weather. The day was nice- brisk and sunny. We left a little late to avoid iceskating down the freeway to get out of town so we arrived at the park after 2 PM and set up our campsite. We were very careful in picking out a campsite and picked one next to some friendly firefighters and their families. There was a boy scout troop and some group from Austin called Young Marines camping near us. We met several nice women in the campsites who were there with their families.

My travel buddy showed me how to make Chicken In A Bag - an old Girl Scout recipe. We prepared the bag by folding aluminum foil then placed some seasoned chicken into the bag. We added vegetables such as onions, carrots, potatoes and broccoli in with the chicken. Next we added about 1-2 Tablespoons of Cream of Mushroom soup and some water. We placed our bag in the campfire on some coals and went out on a short hike while others watched the fire.

The hike was invigorating-trekking over some large flat rocks that made a path. We hiked for a good while but then the sun began to go down so we headed back to our campsite. Our chicken dinner had been on the fire for about an 1 1/2 hours so it was ready to eat. The smell of the chicken and the vegetables was welcoming us as we entered the campsite. Chicken is always good when you are hungry and it was really good. After we wolfed it down, I was full but it tasted so savory that I really wanted more. It is good that it is a one serving meal or I would have been in trouble. After dinner, we warmed ourselves by the campfire and read a little by the light of our headlamps before turning in. The evening was cold but we bundled up in our sleeping bags as we slept in our tent. In the night, Gunner was a little cold so I covered him up. He doesn't normally like a cover at all.

Bright and early Sunday morning, the Young Marines group was out marching and singing cadence. It stirred other campers along with my friend to get up and get going but I was very comfortable in my sleeping bag and held out a little longer. Finally I knew I had to wake up and get going, so I forced myself from my warm sleeping bag and out into the cold morning air.. My friend warmed water for me and I ate oatmeal with some cranberries and walnuts and a cup of instant coffee combined with instant cocoa mix for breakfast.

We got water and snacks packed and headed for the dome of granite called the Enchanted Rock. It is a pink granite exfoliation dome rising 425 ft above the ground. We hiked straight up the dome and then came around the back of it and hiked about half of the trails around the dome. My dog was really having a good time hiking but I did notice he was picking the path of least resistance as we walked uphill, among boulders and along some of the trails. It was rugged and a little bit of a challenge but even small kids were out there. We stopped along the way to snack on peanut butter crackers and an orange. We had planned to eat on the top of the dome but it was very windy up there so we had lunch at the scenic overview overlooking a beautiful valley. I had a tuna fish sandwich and some dried fruit. The scenery was breathtaking and it was just so pleasant to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine hiking about with my friend and my dog. The temperature had warmed up to the upper 50s making it a perfect day.

Unfortunately, reality set in and we had to go back to our normal lives. We packed up our equipment about 2 PM ( check out time at the park) and headed home. It was great just going out there and sharing a little rest and recreation with a friend! So the healthy hint for this blog post is get some rest and recreation- don't be afraid to spread your wings and find an adventure out there. Be careful and don't forget to put safety first. Plan ahead, get the right equipment and don't do something you feel uncomfortable doing.

Now I am back home and had to go back to work. Ah! It is great to be back home with all the comforts of home such as central heat, a bed and a great husband who loves me and understands my need to be an outdoor woman. What more could a woman want...