When I was a kid, my family never went camping.
We would go on nature walks, we would go to cabins, and we would have family vacations, but camping was never on the agenda.
So when my friend Taylor said, "Hey let's go camping at Acadia National Park while you're in Maine this week!" my first thought was "Uh Oh."
What about bugs? What if I can't sleep? What if there are bears? Moose? Robbers? My mind went crazy until I realized that these fears were based off of nothing except for my wild imagination and my lack of adventurous spirit.
So I said yes. And boy, am I glad I did!
So here are 6 reasons why I am glad that I got over myself and had the best time of my life at Acadia National Park, and why you need to do the same!
1. The Views
...I'm just gonna leave these here...
2. The Ocean
I remember watching animated movies about the ocean when I was a kid and thinking "Wow their animation must be exaggerated." Until I saw this beach and it looked just like it!
3. The People
There are visitors from all over the country and even the world who come and visit the park, and they are all so nice!
They ask you how you are, about your interests, and are always willing to help you.
4. The Pictures
A Picture is Worth a Million Words.
I can stare at the (many) pictures I took and remember what I was feeling when I captured the sunrise, or just take in the beauty of nature while I'm sitting and studying for my exams in the dark and dreary winter.
5. Supporting Our National Parks
I never really thought about National Parks until I went and saw one.
Now that I've gone to one, all I want to do is give them more money so more people can experience the beauty that I did on my trip.
As a broke college student I can't do that, but what I can do is pester my friends and family to support National Parks by going to a National Park!
6. Getting Away From it All
Besides taking pictures, I didn't go on my phone.
I even deleted most of my apps because the constant notifications would draw me into my phone and I would miss out on what was happening right in front of my very nose!
Normally when someone gives me a lecture about how bad phones are for people and how it would be better if we all went out and enjoyed nature, I roll my eyes and groan internally, but now I can see their perspective.
I felt so much happier and positive when I was away from my phone.
I wasn't stressed about things I had no control over, and I even felt, for a couple hours, that I was going to make it. That life was going to be okay.
Because if God can create something so breathtakingly beautiful, He can take care of me.
So the moral of the story is that you have to go to Acadia National Park.
If not that specific park, then you have to go to a National Park.
They're National Parks for a reason -- they're stunningly beautiful and are a perfect way to connect with nature.
