Look, we’ve all been there—buried under a mountain of emails, binge-watching the latest Netflix sensation as if it holds the secrets of the universe, and forgetting that grass is a thing that exists.
A buddy of mine even joked that he thought “the cloud” was where all trees lived now. Pretty grim, right? That’s why I decided to jump into the ultimate detox bath for the soul: Cherry Spring State Park camping.
“Dude, You Need a Break!”
My friend Mark said this to me as we hunched over our laptops at a coffee shop. Mark’s eyes were bloodshot, and let’s be honest, mine weren’t any prettier. My last break had been a five-minute scroll through Instagram, where I got jealous of people taking breaks. It was “Inception,” but for burnout.
Time to Gear Up!
If you’re planning to run away into the woods, make sure you bring more than your emotional baggage. I threw a tent, a sleeping bag, and pre-packaged meals into my trunk.
I’m not going to lie; I also tossed in a bottle of wine. I mean, I was escaping civilization, not civilization’s finest achievements!
“Are We There Yet?”
I asked myself this while driving and then burst into laughter because I was talking to myself. I needed this getaway.
As I pulled into Cherry Spring State Park, the trees gave me a standing ovation. “He made it; the fool made it!” they seemed to rustle.
Stars, Stars, Stars!
I set up my tent, which felt like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions or any remaining shreds of dignity. But let me tell you, it was all worth it when the sun went down. The stars came out like they were performing a cosmic Broadway show; let me say it was a five-star performance.
“Is That… A Squirrel?”
The following day, I woke up to some rustling outside my tent. I thought, “Oh great, the raccoons are staging a heist.” But it turned out to be a friendly squirrel who seemed equally surprised to see me.
Breakfast was a humble affair—some granola bars and a banana. My culinary talents shine brighter in my kitchen.
The “Ah-Ha” Moment
The best part of the trip was realizing that the WiFi bars on my phone were replaced by a different kind of connection—a genuine, heartfelt connection with the world around me.
There were no beeps, no notifications, just the occasional squirrel critique.
The Drive Back
Heading home was a mix of reluctance and renewed energy. I was sad to leave my newfound sanctuary but felt like I had hit the refresh button on my soul. Something about a weekend in the wild makes Monday seem a little less menacing.
So, if you’re flirting with the idea of a break, stop swiping through options on your phone and start planning a date with nature. Trust me, Cherry Spring State Park is more than just a fling—it’s the deep, meaningful relationship we’ve all been swiping right for.
Catch you on the flip side, and maybe at the campsite!