The Trouble with Camping: Why Some of Us Would Rather Get a Hotel

Not everyone thinks camping sounds like a great idea – in fact if you interviewed a dozen or more folks [men and women] you'd find that most covet the luxury of their cell phones and comfortable beds far more than a tent and campfire.

We live in a world where technology rules – camping can mean a cabin with wireless Internet access and running hot water for those showers you desperately need after hiking a few miles in the heat of summer. A vacation for a family of four often doesn't mean heading back into nature, but rather heading to the nearest hotel for continental breakfast and an indoor pool.

If you are looking to do something different, go outside and stay put. Going camping doesn't have to mean you turn into a hippy and bathe in a babbling brook, but it does mean simplifying your vacation. Taking a break from technological devices may be more refreshing than you think, and if you hate it, it's simple: don't go again and book your next vacation at a hotel.

Check out local campgrounds in the area – most will either have cabins [lucky you!] or plots you can rent, which means you're in charge of bringing your own materials to make your campsite comfortable. If you are keen on the real experience, check Craigslist or Ebay for inexpensive camping supplies, or borrow from a friend or family member.

Keep your camping trip simple – go for a hike, roast smores, and tell stories by the fire before hitting the sack. If you don't think you're ready for an overnight trip, head home when the last weenie  has been eaten, and sleep in your own bed.

You don't have to hate camping forever....but if you do, that's fine too. I find that most people who shun the idea of heading back to nature are the ones that never had in the first place. I enjoy my reliable Internet connection, and central air conditioning like the next person, but getting into nature makes me feel more alive than ever.