I must be reminded to sit around a campfire.
These reminders often originate from a solar event, such as the winter solstice or, more recently, the fall equinox. The campfire is a great place to release things you no longer want in your life, such as worry and stress.
We don’t have a fire all summer because the days are too long, and I am usually in bed before dark. Sad, but true. Additionally, we endured temperatures of 100+ degrees for many weeks. Who wants to sit around a campfire when you are already sweating?
About four weeks ago, we bought some pre-packaged firewood for convenience. However, we hauled it around to three more spots before setting it ablaze—on the fall equinox.
We had to because, while in Keystone, SD, we drove past an epic wood carver who had a bin outside that said, “Free Fire Starter.” We loaded up our foldable box and then carried it around to the next stop.
I refused to haul both the bundle and the box to another location!
It’s all gone now, and we probably won’t have another fire until the Winter Solstice.
Last year, while in Texas, I started a new tradition of lighting luminaria around the woods while we sat by the campfire.
On December 21, the sun goes down before dinnertime, which fits into our schedules just fine. The luminaria grew brighter as the sky darkened. It was magical.
But around our recent campfire, I started to wonder why people like this tradition. It is obviously not convenient most of the time, especially for full-timers.
But there is something embedded in our DNA that draws us to fire. For hundreds of thousands of years, our ancestors depended on fire for survival—for warmth, protection from predators, and for cooking.
The flames hypnotize us. The crackling sounds soothe our souls. The warmth makes us feel safe.
And as Wayne says, the smoke smell is my favorite aftershave on him.
So, you can say we have a primal connection with fire.
It is also a social equalizer.
When you sit with friends, and sometimes strangers, around a campfire, social hierarchies tend to dissolve. Strangers become friends and stories are shared without pretense.
Those stories are much more dramatic as flickering light casts shadows on the storyteller’s face. That light brings a serene feeling that light from a screen could never replace.
While working in Yosemite last summer, we invited campers to sit around a long, propane fireplace and sip wine. We would have 20–30 people each week sharing their crazy RV stories.
Just the two of us sat around our last campfire. It was a time to unwind and take in the night sky. That’s okay too.
What are some of your favorite memories of sitting around a campfire?
MORE ESSAYS BY SANDI:
- My RV is my home, but does the public think I’m ‘homeless’?
- RVing proves to your friends and family that it’s never too late to chase your dreams
- The secret to feeling like a tourist when your RV view stays the same
- Why doing RV chores isn’t so bad
RVT1234
Well written and yes, the flames are all encompassing to help lighten our soul.
We are “travelers”, not “campers”, so we never have campfires when RVing. Having spent a career outdoors as a geologist, sitting outside at night in the heat (or cold) has no real appeal. Been there, done that!
My brother-in-law, however, is a “camper” and has campfires every night if there is no fire ban (which are becoming very common in the West where we live and travel). So, the only time we sit around a campfire is when camping with my sister. It’s ok, but we would sooner catch-up with them while sitting on a comfortable RV sofa!
To me, it isn’t camping unless there is a campfire to sit around at night. It’s the best thing about camping. So many memories, beginning with tent camping with my family at the age of 10, all the way to having a nice RV to sleep in, with my late husband and now with my grandchildren (I’m 73). Good conversations, laughter, hot dogs and marshmallows – it’s worth the trouble to get wood and haul it.
these are also the type of memories that I have and still continue to do with each of our camping trips. Nothing like a cool evening and a good burning fire to relax by……
We’re teaching our grandchildren all of the old campfire tunes that we remember from our childhood.
I like to sit around a campfire and burn wood. When I’m low on wood it gives me an excuse to look for some more wood.
One of my favorite things in life. Since we live further north, it’s usually only for the early spring and fall as in summer, it’s usually light until 10.
The best campfire ever was last weekend when we burned the old outhouse at the beach cabin. Nice fire, lasted a long time while we kept feeding it, but no roasting of hot dogs or marshmallows. EW!