My woodsy paradise is located just two hours away from each Seattle and Portland. Elma, Washington is a sleepy, small town.We get to go camping there by the river just about as often as we can.

Once we drive through the gate and down the overgrown trails to the campsite, I am overwhelmed with the beauty and silence of the forest. Every time I go here I feel like my heart has been begging for the stillness and peace that you can’t find near a city.

We jumped out of the car and surveyed the campsite we love so much. Unfortunately, there is a burn ban going on in Elma right now so we couldn’t enjoy the Bigfoot-sized fire pit:

 

After cracking open a cold Busch Light (the unofficial drink of WSU Cougars), we put the crawfish pot in the river and decided to go swimming.

After an afternoon walking up and down the knee-deep river with our beagle, Shiloh, who hates water, we jumped in the car and drove around the woods.

Since we are young and crazy, we decided not to take the tent with us on this camp trip and instead opted to sleep in the car. We’ve done this a thousand times but none of those times could prepare us for this night. We cracked the windows in the car and almost instantly, mosquitoes of all shapes and sizes poured into the car, on a rampage and thirsty for our blood.

I have never had such a bug-crazy night in my life, including the nights in Belize where I slept with ants crawling all over me, and the nights in Prague where I was constantly spraying my walls with bug spray. I spent the night fighting bugs, alternating between uncomfortably swatting at them and itching at my new big bites. We rolled up the windows, but would have to roll the down again an hour later as we ran out of air in the car. I thought of a crazy invention during this time, a bug nets for cars! Why don’t we have screen windows for cars during summer nights? Probably because nobody is crazy enough as us to sleep in our car in the woods so frequently!

Happily, morning came and we escaped the bugs but our weekend getaway in paradise came to a close. This idyllic and private little campsite is one of my favorite places on earth, and I will be back again soon!

 

Photos: Elizabeth Adan

 

By Elizabeth Adan

Elizabeth Adan is a Freelance Writer, Publicist and Brand Ambassador. Her blog Aquaberry Bliss is a unique food and travel blog dedicated to expanding your world and inspiring your creativity. When Elizabeth isn’t traveling, you’ll find her writing, hiking or gardening. Find Elizabeth on Twitter @stillaporcupine and on LinkedIn.