My family decided to do things a bit different this year and go camping for Christmas.
We reserved an insanely nice cottage out at Allegany State Park…hardwood floors and ceilings, bedrooms, full kitchen/bathroom, heat, electricity…etc. With all the amenities that were provided, the term “camping” hardly applies, except to the distance we were able to place between ourselves and the hustle-and-bustle of the holiday season.
With the house still a mess due to the continuing remodeling process, the stress on everyone from work and school, and a little touch of drama with the extended family…it was really nice being able to get away for a few days.
The mountain air was refreshing, the stillness of the woods was relaxing. It was interesting stepping out onto the cottage porch at night and not being able to see a single thing past the edge of the railing; these city boy eyes are spoiled by ambient light.
I’ve spent every Christmas up to this point at my parents house, then rushing off to the homes of aunts and uncles and grandparents. This year I spent Christmas morning on top of a mountain, watching the sun rise over a snow-covered valley. How many of you can say you’ve ever experienced that, yourselves?
