As part of an online Vacation Rental Owners discussion group, I frequently answer questions about Sanibel. Most of the time, I know the answers to the questions. But last week one of my clients asked me a question that I could not answer. She inquired whether the campground on Sanibel Island still existed, an experience that she enjoyed many years ago.
Since camping is not in my nature, preferring the comfort of my condominium instead of the outdoors, preferring the tennis courts and swimming pools of my beach home, one of my biggest regrets is that I do not frequent Sanibel Island much. Every time I do visit, I end up camping on the island.
Since I camped on Sanibel Island several times when I was a little girl, I am able to say with a certainty that it is a wonderful experience. It was not always this way, but it was especially during the summer months. The reason being that there was always a need for a place to stay for the night. Beach areas were regular hangouts for the girls who ran off to the Y during the summers. Corner stores, called “hobo shops” or “four-ths” by settlers, were regular destinations. People who owned farmlands and woods, as well as those who owned country properties, often rented space in backyards and basic campervan parks, such as the one in my home town, Camps Canada.
People seeking an opportunity to get away would travel north about once a month on a bus. Buses would arrive at a destination about twice a week during the peak season. The cost of the fare, which was about $20, would cover the cost of food and gas for the return trip, leaving little money to enjoy the city.
However, in the early 1970’s, when I moved to Nova Scotia from Ontario, I discovered that camping was a great way to get away from the stress and Toronto Life was calling. There are a number of size and cost reserves available at the time. Plus, there is now the availability of boutique camping vehicles.
I have chosen to camp on Sanibel Island as my vacation home. There are a number of activities to keep me occupied including crabbing, boating, hiking, walking and biking. With a good patio on the South side of the island, I can watch the6,500 patio lights on a regular basis and enjoy a nice glass of wine.
Camping on Sanibel Island is the best way to get to experience the outdoors in a beautiful setting. Unlike many of the campgrounds, which have been around for years, new lodging are in season and include a number of nice features, such as more than 50 places to bunk, including a couple on the grounds of the historic Sanibel plantation.
I will always remember my first camping trip on Sanibel Island with my family when I was about five. We would huddle in the car en route to the campground with the windows rolled down to glare off the sea. After a day of sightseeing, my parents and I would crack open a beer and enjoy a snuggly fit in our portable hammock. It was a time of joy.
My first experience with camping was in a log cabin. We did have a camcorder with us and although it meant gathering wood to light a fire, it was certainly enjoyable. Now days, there are so many options for setting up a camp. You can do it on someone’s cleared land, along a water’s edge, in a visitor’s center, or even in a completely natural setting. What brings the really creative types to campgrounds is the privacy element. In fact, there are even campfire strips that come complete with lighting and privacy features.
Newer entry-level models, as well as higher end offerings, have the feature of having the basic features of the room, such as the door, window and floor, but also of course, the bed is there for sleeping. Some sleeping bags are even sing up pillows and chairs, which can be folded up to be transported in the car or via backpack.
Camping is a great way to reconnect with nature and spend quality time with family and friends. It is also a great way to experience cooking over the campfire, which for some, is a culinary delight. Imagine warming up a can of beans or a pot roast over the fire while preparing a fine meal.
For those who like the scenic outdoors, scenery, wildlife and the history of the area, camping can be a great alternative to the commercial vacation world. While camping is certainly no replacement for the comforts of home, memories are like… well like everything else. Camping certainly has its challenges. Keeping the wildlife safe, however, is a truly enjoyable task.
