Campfire Chat: On birthdays, baskets, bees, and baby squirrels.
🕯 Inside the Tent
This week marks my 49th birthday and Field Trip’s first birthday! (No coincidence there: I launched Field Trip on October 3, my own big day.) Starting Field Trip felt a little like having a baby — so much learning, some sleepless nights, and leaning hard on my village. It’s been a wild and wonderful first year. I’m so grateful for everyone who’s come along for the ride. And I can’t wait to see what year two brings.
🌿 On My Mind
A friend recently told me about the genius little system she uses when camping: an In/Out basket at the tent door. At first, it sounded too simple to matter, but the more I thought about it, the more brilliant it became. I can’t count how many times I’ve shimmied out of my flip flops to step into the tent, zipped everything shut to keep bugs out… only to realize I forgot something. With the basket, you toss items in as you think of them — stuff headed out, stuff headed in. Grab it when you pass through. No extra dirt, no extra frustration. It really is the small things that make a trip easier and way more joyful.
🥾 On the Ground
I’ve been elbows-deep in something I’m really proud of: we planted a new Education/Pollinator Garden in our POA this week. We’re calling it The Buzz Stop. It’s a project of the conservation club in our community that I started in April, and I’m so excited to see it come to life. Even better? The community’s been cheering it on. Pollinators win, neighbors win.
📍 Pinned to the Map
My husband and I are about to embark on a 66-hour road trip — South Carolina to Yellowstone, and back. This time we’re trading the tent for glamping spots (and yes, I dislike that word too). Cabins, tipis, yurts… the whole mix. We’ve learned from experience that setting up and tearing down camp daily is just too much, but hotels feel too far removed from nature. So glamping is our happy medium. I’ll be writing about the adventure in the coming weeks, but if you want a sneak peek, follow along on our socials.
🧵 Thread I’m Pulling
Meanwhile, back in squirrel world: Harry and Henry (the babies I’ve been rehabbing) are officially teenagers. They’re cracking nuts, nearly weaned off formula, and practicing their leaps like little acrobats. They’ll be ready for release soon, which is both thrilling and a little heartbreaking. Rehab is bittersweet like that. I know it’s what they’re meant for, and these two will always have a place in my heart. But let’s be real: they won’t be my last baby squirrels.
🎒 Packing Out
As I blow out the candles this week, I keep circling back to how much of a gift Field Trip has been to me this past year. What started as a “crazy” idea has evolved into a growing community, a place to share, and a reminder to stay curious about the world beyond our doors. Thanks for being here — I can’t wait to see where we go in year two.
About me
I’ve spent the last 15 years writing about the outdoors and conservation, often with muddy boots, dirt under my nails, and too many bug bites to count. I’m a certified Bee-Friendly Gardener, a Pollinator Steward, and a volunteer with those who care about conservation, wildlife, and treading lightly. I’m also a DarkSky Advocate and a proud member of the SC Native Plant Society, The 89 Percent Project, and 1% for the Planet. I volunteer with Wildlife Rehabilitation Group of South Carolina, specializing in rehabbing squirrels. My backyard wildlife habitat—certified by the National Wildlife Federation, Pollinator Partnership, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology—is a wild little résumé of its own. I started Field Trip for people who like to play outside. Thanks for being here with me.
