rebuildingthroughmiles

Returning to Nature

A Weekend at Fort Fisher

April 2026
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area | Kure Beach, North Carolina

Some adventures don’t begin with confidence.

Sometimes they begin with a camping stove… and a group text to my sisters: “Díganme cómo hago el café en esto… ¡el café no sale!” 

Yes, that was me.

After a few laughs, a little troubleshooting, and some sisterly guidance, I finally figured out how to use the greca (Puerto Rican stovetop coffee maker) to make coffee.

Adventure isn’t always glamorous.

Sometimes it starts with coffee and a willingness to laugh at yourself.

This camping trip was more than just a weekend away.

It had been years since Chara, Apollo, and I had gone camping together, and I had forgotten how much I missed it.

The moment we settled into our campsite, life began to slow down.

Instead of traffic, there were birds singing.

Instead of constant notifications, there was the sound of the wind moving through the trees.

Instead of rushing from one responsibility to the next, there was nowhere else we needed to be.

Just us.

It reminded me how healing nature can be.

Apollo seemed just as happy to be there as we were.

This trip also happened to fall during his seventh year, making it feel like a little birthday adventure for my faithful hiking partner. Watching him explore new smells, relax beside the campsite, and simply enjoy being outdoors made the trip even more special.

Sharing these moments with Chara made them even sweeter.

Some of my favorite memories as a mom aren’t found in expensive vacations or elaborate plans.

They’re found around a campsite.

Sharing meals.

Talking without distractions.

Watching the sunset.

Making memories that won’t fit inside a phone.

Listening to the sounds of nature as night falls.

and

Camping has a way of reminding us that we don’t need much to feel rich.

A tent.

A campfire.

People (and dogs) you love.

And time together.

Sometimes, that’s enough.

This weekend wasn’t about checking another destination off a list.

It was about returning to something I didn’t realize I had been missing.

It was about remembering that slowing down isn’t wasting time.

Sometimes it’s exactly what our hearts need.

Looking back now, I see this trip as one of the first steps in my rebuilding journey.

Long before I began counting hiking miles or signing up for races, I was rediscovering something much simpler.

The peace that comes from being outside.

Reflection

Life has a way of pulling us away from the things that make us feel alive.

Responsibilities grow.

Schedules fill up.

Years pass before we realize how much we’ve missed something.

For me, camping was one of those things.

Coming back reminded me that adventure doesn’t have to be big to change you.

Sometimes all it takes is one weekend.

One campsite.

One cup of coffee.

And one decision to return to nature.

Adventure Stats

📅 Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
📍 Location: Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Kure Beach, NC
🏕️ Adventure: Weekend Camping Trip
👥 Adventure Crew: Chara & Apollo 🐾
☕ Funniest Memory: Texting my sisters for help figuring out how to use the greca.
❤️ Favorite Moment: Listening to the birds, slowing down, and realizing how much I had missed camping.
🌿 Lesson Learned: Sometimes the best way to move forward is to spend a little time unplugged in nature.

Until the next mile,
Shak