Natalie, Outdoors, Hunting, & Glamping

 

In December 2017, my husband came to me and told me about a hunting camp he saw on Facebook. Coming from the man that never Facebooks, I knew this might be something serious. This was right around the time we found out we found out we were expecting our first child. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it…. I just thought “Yes! Husband will be out of my hair while hunting here and there.” Little did I know it was going to be a big investment, weekend trip after weekend trip, and a whole lot of new adventures.

Fast forward to the fall of 2018, a month or so after I delivered our healthy tiny baby boy. My maternity leave was filled with busy work weeks for hubby and then a hubby gone to work at the hunting camp during the weekend. I really didn’t understand what he could be doing at “the hunting camp.”  I just knew he was driving back and forth to Oakdale while I was tending to our new child. 

My husband has always hunted ever since he was a little boy. He and his father share a love of hunting and fishing and everything outdoors. “That is a CHUSTZ” is what we say about the three generations. During college, Mr. C hunted here and there and we went on a few adventures together. I never really

was an outdoor girl, but thought maybe it would be fun.

Last summer, our baby boy turned two. After all the COVID craziness, we talked a lot about what our next move was in our life. We could either buy a house, save up and keep renting, or just go with the flow. We decided that we liked our location and really weren’t up for a move… or the work of a move. 

One night on facebook, I saw a post for a camper for sale. A lightbulb went off. “Honey! Let’s buy this used camper.” After looking at that one in person, Mr. C decided to stop at Primeaux’s RV on his way home from work. WILDWOOD was calling our name. It just arrived on the lot and Mr. C was the first customer (well first person because sales guy didn’t even see it yet) to look at the RV. He fell in love and the rest was history as I went see it the next day. A week or so went by and we closed on our first recreational vehicle. Let me just tell you… that was a longer closing than the closing on our first home. So why not just buy a house on wheels and start the camping adventures? 

The Chustz camping adventures (#chustzcampers) started that day, right when we brought it home. Once Baby B woke up from his nap, we showed him his “new big bus” and he climbed right in and settled into his home away from home. He was in love just like his daddy. Little guy was very upset when we had to go into the real house and leave his big bus. 

We took three trips to break in the camper before the fall. (Be on the look out for a past & future camping adventures post on the blog.) 

Hunting season came quickly and we decided the camper would stay nice and cozy at the hunting camp for a few months. Once I visited the hunting camp/lease, I was sold despite the price tag of yearly dues, monthly camper note, and the expenses of all our future camping trips. On a positive note, The outdoors, the people, the good times….. It was exactly what I needed when I least expected it. 

Mr. C became a legend and shot two deer in back to back weekends. One weekend we were present as a family on opening weekend (Halloween) and the next weekend with his dad, the real LEGEND. I’ve never seen my husband so happy… well he was very happy the day we got married and the moment our baby boy was born, but so happy that he FINALLY got a big ONE!

one. 

At the hunting camp, other families especially wives are there. Some of them hunt and some of them are just their enjoying the outdoors and family time. The “hunting girls” as I call them have become family in just a few weekends. Everyone is down to earth, caring, kind, and just is there to enjoy a weekend or a few days away from the hustle and bustle of real life. I was afraid I would not fit in being a city girl, but I think this outdoor and  camping lifestyle is growing on me. 

I like tent camping in the cool nice fall or spring weather, but glamping is so my cup of tea….

Even though I dislike tea!

Some of my cheap finds for our camper decor. I seriously went to EVERY Stage in the Acadiana area before they closed their doors for good. I found some great deals! 

I know the hunting lease, our camper, and our family adventures will be ones that we will always cherish and remember. 

Comment below if you would like to try some fresh deer sausage from yours truly, Mr. Chustz. Deadline will be before our next camping adventure, so April 1st. Please put your name in the comments so I can contact you if you are our winner.

Cherish ALL the memories, 

AFTM