Campfires and Smores?

Last Friday evening, I had the privilege of leading a group of people from Brunswick Forest on a moon light kayaking adventure on Town Creek.  The evening was almost perfect; except for a few thin high clouds that tried to cover the moon.  It was about 30 minutes before the sun set when we stopped for dinner on the river for a picnic and camp fire.  We had been paddling for about 90 minutes and everyone was starting to get hungry.  So while everyone was starting to enjoy their picnic dinners, I got a nice warm campfire started.  In just a few minutes, the fire was blazing away, casting its glow around the area and creating a wonderful warm feeling for everyone there.

It was almost instantly happened; once the fire was started everyone sat down on the bench or on one of the picnic blankets that were around the fire; when everyone stated sharing memories about their going up and campfires.  It was so cool to sit back and watch everyone relax and enjoy the warm fire as the sun was setting to our west and share with each other.  Stories about campfires they remembered as kids; the fun of roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.  It seemed to me that all of these memories shared a common theme; family and fun.  Someone shared that in her family, they would go to the family farm this all 6 of her brothers and sisters.  As she talked about that, I could see the fun they had in her eyes and hear it in her voice.  I shared about how my grandmother took candles and show me and a friend how to roast a marshmallow, while it was storming outside the house.  For all I know the power could have been knocked out at the time, but I don’t remember that, I just remember how our little fire changed an evening into something fun.

Soon, it was time for us to pack up, put out the fire and paddle back home by the full moon light that shown in the river.  What an adventure the evening was for us all.  I am sure that the paddle back to the kayak launch was memorable for each of them.  But I am also confident that the time shared with new friends sitting around a campfire; roasting marshmallows and making s’mores will be a memory that these people hold onto.  These people not only connected with something they remembered from their childhood, when things were simpler in their lives.  But they also connected with each other, building important relationships.  I don’t know about you, but I need this myself; what about you?

Mahanaim Adventures offers guided kayaking adventures in the Wilmington, Carolina Beach areas as well as the Cape Fear Region.  We specialize in creating that memory of a life time for you and your family and friends.  Check out our web page and find out more details about all of our adventure locations.