Catholic Camper

Overlanding can be both exhilarating and exhausting. From the thrill of exploring new places to the stress of navigating unfamiliar off-road trails, the rigors of travel can often take a toll on the body, mind, and spirit. In this article, I'll explain why overlanding can be so exhausting, and why it's essential to include a break.  So if you're a seasoned explorer or just starting on your first journey, consider the following:   1. Packing and unpacking the rig for base camp is sometimes redundant.  And no matter how often I practice, the setup still takes time and physical energy – which can be especially taxing after a long day of driving. Let's not forget outdoor meal prep is tuckering as well.  As much as I love big overlanding trips, it’s important to take breaks during long-term adventures to fully recharge and rest up. 2. Planning for a long stretch of highway that only leads to an offroad trail takes mental stamina. I generally consider how I'm getting ther

"So how did ya'll stay married so long?"  We get funny looks and comments about being married 36 years when people learn we started as high school sweethearts. But there's no secret about the longevity of our marriage, it's pretty simple really, and extremely intentional.  My wife and I are Catholic and believe that marriage is a gift  rooted in authentic love. Love's full expression is experienced through the  teachings and practices of the Church.  Now, don't get me wrong, we don't just follow the rules. That would be moralism, meaning, our marriage is about doing good things because we want to "get to heaven". On the contrary, we live a very fluid life with misadventures.   How do we remain in these teachings and practices?  First, understand that we have a purpose union in which love is the core.  A purpose union can be defined in four ways:  Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love. Marriage opens a couple to give li