I recently went on my first solo car camping trip. Just me, a car full of chaos, my trusty travel buddy (a stuffed donkey sasshole obviously), and the wide open road. I had ideas about what this trip would be like—peaceful, empowering, maybe a little Instagram-worthy (I failed).
And while there were peaceful and empowering moments, there were also a lot of “WTF am I doing?” moments. So here’s the honest recap. What I learned, what I liked and hated, and how I’m adjusting for next time.
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Car Camping Lessons (AKA Shit I Wish I’d Known Before I Left)
1. You can recharge your generator while driving and it can still be used while charging.
Mind. Fucking. Blown. I had no idea. This changes everything. I kept the generator plugged into the car and my cooler plugged in to the generator the entire time and didn’t lose any food to lukewarm fridge sadness. Victory. (Link to the generator and plugin cooler I used)
2. Dressing in the car is basically a CrossFit workout.
Even though I’m short, trying to wriggle into clean underwear in a cluttered car is a circus act I didn’t sign up for. Every inch of space matters. Especially when you’re trying not to flash your butt to passing hikers. I have a shower/toilet tent, will definitely bring it on my next trip for more room and Privacy.
3. My food planning was bullshit.
With the generator I was able to cook what I brought, but basically had the same breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. I need a way better list of food. Next time, I will try to meal-prepping like a damn camp queen.
Things I Learned About Myself (Because Nature is Therapy)
1. I need more alone time.
I didn’t realize how much I craved silence until I was surrounded by it. No small talk. No explaining myself. Just stillness and space. I need to prioritize this shit.
2. Photography is my happy place.
Getting up early to catch the sunrise or spending an hour trying to get the perfect shot of a squirrel? Pure bliss. I need to lean into that more.
3. I fucking love animals and nature.
The birds, the trees, the alpacas that humbled me and the zoo animals? All magical.
4. My travel buddy donkey Sasshole is the bomb.
She doesn’t talk back, judge my snack choices or jack shit up. 10/10 will road trip with again.
Moving Forward: Doing It Better Next Time
• Plan more alone time. I need to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just go—even if it’s just one night away.
• Figure out how to pack like a minimalist. All the shit in my car? Most of it never left the seat. Time to streamline.
• Keep peeling back the layers. Every trip like this brings me closer to who I really am. That sounds cheesy, but whatever—it’s true.
What I Liked vs. What Made Me Want to Scream Into the Void
Loved:
1. The freedom of having everything i need in one place and with me at all times. 2. Not having to accommodate anyone else’s schedule, moods or bathroom needs. 3. Being in control of my own damn adventure.
Didn’t love:
1. Missing Maizie. She’s my heart dog and it felt weird without her. 2. Randomly getting lost. Not like the “ooh, let’s see where this road goes” lost – but like “shit, there’s no signal and this looks like a horror movie” lost.
Final Thoughts
This trip wasn’t perfect. But it cracked me open in a way I didn’t expect. I came back messy, tired, and full of ideas. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Next time, though? More snacks, less crap in the car, better directions, and more photography. Looking forward to my July trip.
Open to any advise from people who have been through this. Car camping advise, solo travel advise…or advise on how to find my true F’n self. Let me know in the comments.
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I am a spirited blogger from Chelsea, MI who thrives on adventure, creativity and exploring the world through the lens of my camera (even if it’s my phone). When I’m not chasing sunsets and amazing views, I spend time with my heart dog Maizie. If travel, creativity and a dash of blunt honesty (with the occasional F-bomb) sparks your curiosity, you are in the right place. ~ Stressie Flavis