Camping Chaos: 2 Trips, 2 Big Lessons

We’re still pretty new at this camper life. Our RPod is only on its second and third official outings, and let’s just say… we’ve already got stories.

I thought camping would be simple: roll in, set up, kick back, enjoy nature. Instead, both trips taught us hard lessons that I won’t forget anytime soon.

Trip Two (but Our First Lesson): Powerless from the Start

We pulled in feeling confident. Gazebo up, camper leveled, dogs settled — we were basically pros (or so I thought). Then came the test: flip on the air conditioner. Nothing.

After a few frantic checks, we realized the power at our site didn’t work at all, which meant tearing everything down and moving to a new site. The whole process was basically camping cardio.

Lesson #1: Always check the power before you set up camp.

Trip Three: The Case of the Broken AC

A week later, we tried again. Same RPod, same dogs, fresh confidence. The power worked this time (small win!), but the AC didn’t.

So there we were: hot, sticky, and improvising. Luckily, the night was cool and Nebraska football was on. We rigged a tarp around the gazebo to darken it enough for the projector so we could watch the game, and breakfast ended up over the open fire. Chaos, yes — but also kind of fun.

Lesson #2: Camping is never perfect. The best memories often come from the mess.

What I Took Away From Our Camping Chaos

We’re only three trips in, and camping already reminds me a lot of life: you can plan, prep, and do all the things right, but sometimes the power won’t work. Sometimes the AC breaks. Sometimes you just have to laugh, adapt, and make it work anyway.

Would I trade the chaos? Nope. Because now I’ve got stories (and lessons) worth sharing.

So if you’re new to camping like us, remember:

• Check the power before you unpack.

• And when things go sideways, lean into it — that’s where the good memories are hiding.

Because trying is always better than not trying… even if the AC quits on trip number three.

What about you? If you’ve ever had a camping trip go sideways — power issues, broken gear, dog drama, or just plain chaos — I’d love to hear it! Drop your funniest (or most frustrating) camping fail in the comments below. Who knows, your story might help the rest of us feel a little more prepared (or at least less alone).