We arrived at the state park around 5 p. m. and found the ranger station unattended. Nearby, a large QR code was posted above a stack of firewood. I scanned the code with my phone and paid for three bundles. The process was quick and easy.
That night, I had little trouble staying warm. I’ ve grown accustomed to camping in colder temperatures and know that pulling my head inside my sleeping bag makes a noticeable difference in retaining heat. Ashley and Sadie, however, struggled.
At first, I assumed Sadie’ s fur would be enough to keep her warm, but she shivered throughout the night. Eventually, we tucked her beneath one of our blankets. Ashley also battled the cold, especially after realizing she had left her sleeping bag outside her tent and was too afraid to retrieve it. I went out and grabbed it for her, though it only offered slight relief.
Throughout the night, Ashley woke me up about five times after hearing noises outside the tent. Each time, the“ disturbance” turned out to be acorns dropping from the oak trees and hitting the ground or the tent. By morning, we found acorns roughly the size of nickels scattered across our campsite.
Crow Wing State Park had revealed itself as the perfect setting for a first test of independence in the outdoors. The falling acorns, cool air and quiet campground created an experience that was both humbling and reassuring. It was a simple night, but one that left me feeling capable, grounded and eager to return.
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