Okay, here’s my blog post about my “Wild Adventure Christmas” project, written in a casual, personal style:
So, this year I got it into my head to do something totally different for Christmas. I was calling it my “Wild Adventure Christmas”. I wanted something that felt a little more… I don’t know… real? More connected to nature, less about just stuff.
I started by brainstorming. What did “wild” even mean to me? I jotted down a bunch of ideas on a scrap of paper: camping, hiking, building something, foraging… yeah, a real mixed bag.
Getting My Hands Dirty
The first thing I did was to decide where this whole adventure was going to happen. I picked a state park about two hours away – far enough to feel like I was escaping, but close enough that I wouldn’t spend all day driving.
Then, I started gathering supplies. This wasn’t your typical Christmas shopping! I’m talking:
- A sturdy tent – because, you know, sleeping outside in December.
- A REALLY warm sleeping bag – seriously, it was rated for like, sub-zero temperatures.
- Hiking boots – my old ones were practically falling apart.
- Fire starter – because I’m not that good at rubbing sticks together.
- A hatchet – for, well, chopping things.
- Lots of warm clothes – layers, layers, layers!
I spent a good few days just prepping everything, making sure I had enough food (mostly non-perishable stuff, like trail mix and canned beans – gourmet, I know!), packing and repacking my backpack, and generally feeling like a real outdoorsman.
The Actual Adventure
I set off early on Christmas Eve. The drive was pretty uneventful, mostly just me singing along to the radio and getting more and more excited. When I got to the park, it was even more deserted than I’d expected. Perfect!
Setting up the tent was a bit of a struggle – the ground was frozen solid in places – but I managed it eventually. I felt pretty proud of myself, honestly. Then, I gathered some firewood. This was surprisingly fun! I even managed to find some dry pine needles and got a decent fire going without too much trouble.
The rest of Christmas Eve was spent just… chilling. I hiked around a bit, explored the woods, and just enjoyed the quiet. It was amazing how peaceful it was, with no car horns, no Christmas music, no nothing. Just the wind in the trees and the crackle of the fire.
The “Wild” Christmas Feast
My Christmas dinner was… unique. I roasted some sausages over the fire (they got a little charred, but hey, that’s part of the experience, right?) and had some beans straight from the can. I even managed to heat up some water for hot chocolate. It wasn’t fancy, but it was satisfying. And it felt earned, you know? I sat by the fire, looking up at the stars, and felt pretty darn content.
The Wrap-Up
I spent Christmas Day hiking some more, doing a bit of (very amateur) birdwatching, and just soaking up the solitude. I packed up my tent that afternoon, feeling tired but also really refreshed.
It wasn’t the traditional Christmas, but it was definitely memorable. I felt more connected to nature, to myself, and even to the spirit of the season in a way that I hadn’t expected. It was a good reminder that sometimes, the best gifts aren’t things you can buy.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. Maybe next year I’ll even try to build a proper shelter… or learn how to identify edible plants. The possibilities are endless!