After six months in a fog after a year of pandemic living as we look forward to something both exciting and new, we need a vacation that focuses on the moment and not necessarily on what is coming next. Last January I didn’t know that was what I was going to need.
Looking for Small Victories, Crushed by Small Defeats
When you’re on a constant quest for small victories, small defeats can be crushing. And maybe that’s just what I was feeling. After all, some studies have shown that we need up to five positive experiences to outweigh a single bad experience. While that isn’t the case for every negative experience, the reality that many of us are dealing with is that we are just dealing with a lot.
Spring Break at Cane Creek State Park
Cane Creek once again confirmed the value of camping at state parks. While we wouldn’t drive the long haul from Texas for the sole purpose of camping there again, it was a good place to meet up with my parents and provided more experiences than we had originally anticipated.
An Overnight Stop at Martin Creek Lake State Park
Martin Creek Lake is the perfect example of the pleasant surprises that wait for us when we make visiting state parks over private campgrounds a priority. While it may be easier to look for one of many parking spots along the highway or interstate, the state parks that are often just a little bit off our planned routes can give our families affordable escapes from the busy world and force us to commune with nature, even if it is only for an 18-hour stay.
A Christmas Break in Palo Duro Canyon
Campsmas 2020 In 2022, I moved my new blog posts to sarahstyf.substack.com. You can read more of my material there. […]
Visiting the Past at Fort Richardson
It was our halfway point on the way to Palo Duro Canyon. Established in 1867, Fort Richardson was a major outpost in the complicated history of the relationship between Plains indigenous tribes and the U.S. Calvary. The fort was in full use for 11 years, serving as base camp for many of the conflicts between the U.S. government and native tribes who refused to be forced into giving up their land or lifestyle. Today, visitors can see several of the outbuildings in addition to hiking or biking the many trails throughout the state park, including the nine-mile Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway.