| I've always had an affinity for camping. Nothing crazy (yet), but a couple nights here and there "roughing it" is just what I need to clear my mind. It was the perfect thing to do while Hannah was here and I knew just the place. I call it "SecretEST Beach", as "Secret Beach" was already taken, and this place is even more secluded. I've never seen more than one or two other people on the beach at the same time and often I am the only one. It's a dream beach; clear, still water, soft sand, and big trees for shade when you need a break from the sun. It's a bit of a challenge to hike down to, but it's another world when you get there.
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| Now, Hannah and I both worked at Boy Scout camps during the summers for a couple years, and have been camping several times with family, but never had we been on a "girls only" camping trip. So, it's the perfect opportunity to share some tips for other outdoorsy females who are interested in such a venture... Supplies: Aside from the obvious, here are a few "girl specific" things we find handy when camping:  Love these anytime, but especially when I'm camping. Nothing like a fresh face before you go to bed.  Every girl shies away from camping on her period, but let's face it, it happens. And that shouldn't exclude you from having fun, right?? Just bring these wipes (along with your "feminine products") and you'll feel fresh and clean. Don't forget to bring along a ziplock to put the used ones in, if there are no trash bins at the site.  A must have in Hawaii--or really anywhere else you'd want to camp :)  Don't go crazy with the makeup. After all, there's nothing more awkward than a girl out in the wilderness, sleeping in a tent and peeing in the woods, sporting bright red lipstick. Just pack some waterproof mascara that will withstand swimming, raining, and sweating and you'll feel a little more feminine without overdoing it. |
| The first things you do when you get to a campsite (after exploring and playing a bit) is to take advantage of the daylight and gather firewood and set up the tent. Both are almost impossible to do in the dark, and can still be tricky even with headlamps. We scouted out the place and determined this to be the best spot: |
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| Next up: the FIRE. Somebody's got to do it. And it's actually quite fun once you get the hang of it (as long as it's not super windy or rainy--then it's pretty miserable). |
| The teepee method is always the best (in my opinion). This is what I did... I used the leftover dried coconut husks, conveniently left by the last campers, as the base. Then I stuck a bunch of crumpled up newspapers on top of that along with some kindling (small pieces of easily flammable materials such as branches, dried moss, etc.). Then you make a teepee with small-ish branches/logs. A trick Max taught me was that you always go for the dead branches that have fallen off, or are lightly attached to trees. Never use driftwood, as it has been soaking in the ocean for quite some time, and although it may look dry, it may be virtually impossible to light it on fire. After lighting the newspaper with your handy dandy lighter (we're not that primitive), you let it catch the logs on fire before you start adding larger logs to keep the fire going. It's that simple! Okay, not usually, but this time it was!
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| Now you get to relax and enjoy the good stuff; eating charred wieners and toasted marshmallows, watching the sun light up the ocean one last time as it dips below the horizon. It doesn't get much better than that.  |
