John and his friends have gone on an annual summer camping trip for about a decade now. It’s a huge gathering of friends that go camping for a weekend and it’s a blast. One of the best things about having a significant other is being immersed into their group of friends. This group has always made me feel like a lifelong member, and I’m so grateful for their friendship. Needless to say, the annual summer camping trip is now something we both look forward to all year.
For the past few years we’ve trekked to Pittsfield State Forest right on the border of Massachusetts and New York. We were actually there last year when Hurricane Irene hit and we had to hustle home (scary!). Pittsfield State Forest has a huge group campsite and is a lovely place to spend a weekend camping.
We got to the group site at about 1PM on Friday afternoon. I decided to go for a walk which started out peaceful enough.
However, because I didn’t check a map or anything, I ended up walking straight uphill for about an hour and a half. Pittsfield State Forest is in the Berkshires so I should have known the campground was on a mountain. The uphill hike in the summer sun was a little brutal but I had my iPod and the surroundings were perfect so it wasn’t all that bad.
I knew I had reached the top when I started to see tree tops. Good clue.
I walked for another 15 minutes and the trail opened up wide on this view. It was amazing.
The top of the mountain is actually called the New York Overlook. Oh, hi New York!
At the top I also came across Berry Pond which was really pretty.
Another hour and a half later I made it back to the campsite. I was pretty much done with hiking, and any other physical activity for that matter, for the weekend. The rest of our camping trip consisted of the following:
Reading and making friendship bracelets.
Being amused by crazy dog antics.
Playing lots of board games.
Sometimes we combined board games and doggies at the same time. No bigs.
And many a camp fire.
Lots of laughing, talking, and just enjoying these waning summer days together. I love camping so much. Until next year, friends.
Domestocrat 
I am not a great camper, but have fond memories of camping when my boys were little and they just loved every minute of it
I hated camping when I was young too but now I love it. It’s funny how those kinds of things change.
Looks like such a blast!! Hope everything is going well with you!!
It was, definitely! Everything is going great – I hope things are good with you too :)