Reconnecting with Nature: A Weekend Escape to Lake Lanier

October 2024

This year has been a whirlwind. Between work commitments and life’s never-ending to-do list, I had to put my love for the outdoors on the backburner. I was certain that once fall rolled around, I could finally get back to my usual weekend routine of hiking, camping, and soaking in the beauty of nature. But life had other plans. My job, which requires me to work mostly weekends, combined with everyone’s schedule being completely opposite of mine, meant that my outdoor adventures had to wait.

But then it hit me—enough was enough. The constant buzz of daily life had me feeling antsy, anxious, and in desperate need of a reset. I missed the simple joys of sleeping under the stars, hammocking in the breeze, and building campfires. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and book a weekend camping trip. I secured a campsite near Lake Lanier at the last minute , just over an hour away from my Georgia home.

As soon as I pulled up to the campsite, I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air, and said aloud, “We are here, Lucy!” Lucy, my ever-enthusiastic dog, wagged her tail with excitement and immediately found a stick to carry around as we settled into the site. She quickly claimed a shady spot between two trees while I got to work setting up our ultra-light, two-person Big Agnes tent.

Since we arrived early in the day, we had plenty of time to simply relax and unwind. We napped in the sun, read our books, and enjoyed the tranquility of the lake. Lucy had her fun swimming (I, on the other hand, stayed almost dry), and we took another nap before our friends Hanna and Sully (her dog) arrived to join us for the weekend.

Just before dusk, Hanna pulled in, pizza in hand—my favorite! We enjoyed the warm slices of pizza as I started a fire. She set up camp for herself and Sully, and we spent the evening catching up, reminiscing about old times and sharing what’s been happening in our lives. As the fire crackled and the stars began to twinkle overhead, we knew the weekend ahead was exactly what we needed.

It had been a long week for both of us, and as the night wore on, the yawns began. We said our goodnights and retreated to our respective tents. As I settled into my sleeping bag, Lucy curled up next to me, already making herself comfortable on my sleeping pad (which I had to wrestle her off of before I could claim it). I felt a deep sense of calm wash over me. This was exactly what I needed.

The next morning, I woke to the soothing sound of birds chirping and boats gliding across the lake. There was no rush, no agenda—just the quiet of the morning and the warmth of a campfire. Hanna and I made coffee, enjoyed the brisk air, and sipped our cups as we soaked in the peaceful surroundings. The dogs spent most of the day napping, only to wake when they needed to. Which was usually to chase the sun’s shifting shadows on the ground.

Though we had talked about going for a hike, we decided to stay at camp and just relax. This weekend wasn’t about pushing ourselves to do anything strenuous; it was about taking a break and recharging. We ventured away from the campsite only once, when Hanna’s parents offered to pick us up on their boat and take us to dinner. It was a lovely change of pace—watching the sunset from the water, enjoying a delicious meal, and laughing about the little things.

That evening, we settled back into the rhythm of campfires, reading our Kindles, and enjoying a few store bought cookies. It was one of those rare moments where the silence didn’t feel lonely—it felt comforting. We didn’t need to talk constantly. We didn’t need to fill the space with noise. We were both content simply being in each other’s presence, with the crackling fire and the distant sounds of the night filling the gaps.

As we spent more time together, I realized how much I valued this kind of solitude with a close friend—where we could both do our own thing but still enjoy the comfort of each other’s company. It was the perfect balance of social connection and personal space.

Before I knew it, Sunday morning had arrived, and it was time to pack up. As I folded up my tent and said goodbye to the campsite, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. The weekend had been the reset I didn’t even know I needed. Lately, I had been so focused on the hustle—work, family, obligations—that I had forgotten to slow down and truly enjoy the simple things in life.

That weekend reminded me of the importance of stepping back, taking a break from the chaos, and reconnecting with nature. I realized how much it grounds me and how necessary it is to recharge in such a peaceful, uncomplicated way. I’m so thankful for the time spent at Lake Lanier, for the opportunity to reflect, and for the beauty of the natural world that I sometimes take for granted.

Sometimes, all it takes is a weekend to remember how much we need to slow down, breathe deeply, and savor the present moment. The outdoors has a way of reminding us of that—and I, for one, am glad I took the time to listen.