Desert Camping!

Camping in the desert? I know this sounds strange but it is actually a very popular way to spend weekends here in Abu Dhabi! One doesn’t have to drive far to be in the desert here, so it is an easy get-away from the busy city life. 

I had always wanted to try this but members of my family had other thoughts – “you want me to sleep on the ground?” they would say! And of course we didn’t have any camping equipment. So I had resigned myself to returning to the States and never having gone desert camping. 


But then a friend mentioned that she had gone to a location very close to the city with her husband’s company and they had just set up for dinner in the dunes and then driven back to the city later in the evening – no sleeping on the ground required! This was it – my opportunity to BBQ in the desert! I was so excited! We picked a weekend and the planning began!


Of course I should reiterate that we didn’t have ANY camping or BBQ equipment here with us. But not to worry my friends said, a bunch of families were heading out together, and we would make it work. “Just bring your own food & drinks” she said. But I didn’t even have a cooler!


As luck would have it, another friend was selling her camping/BBQ gear because she & her family were moving back to the States after the school year. While I was sad that Julie was leaving I couldn’t believe my luck! She had coolers, folding chairs, an umbrella, and a large mat perfect for the sand! It was meant to be – I could smell the BBQ already!! 

We all met at Terry’s compound on friday afternoon and the caravan began! All 12 families! And in less than an hour we arrived at our campfire site! Just in time to watch the sunset over the dunes!                                    

The unloading began, and we all set up our gear around the campfire that was already there! It was kind of strange-this large fire pit was right there in the center of some dunes. With nothing else around! And somehow we had found it! Right away you could tell the experts from the novices! Some people had brought a folding picnic table & chairs, lanterns, grilling tools, nice lounge chairs, hangars to use for the s’mores, and a football for the kids. But I was so excited I didn’t care! We had each brought our own meat, drinks, and a side dish to share. The guys worked on getting the fire started, the kids split up and ran up the different dunes, while the Moms hiked up to the top to enjoy the peaceful sunset!

 
    

No campfire would be complete without S’Mores!!

 After the sun set we enjoyed our grilled meat, side dishes, and especially the S’Mores! For me the clear star filled sky and peace and quiet were a real treat!! City life doesn’t lend itself to clear skies and quiet nights! 


We then realized why the lanterns were so important – it is very difficult to pack up in the pitch dark! We managed and reluctantly I loaded up the car. I didn’t want to leave! The weather was getting warmer everyday now so I knew it would be winter before we could plan another trip like this. But we had done it and the girls and Leon really enjoyed themselves. While spending the night sleeping on the sand under the stars may not happen for us, another desert BBQ with good friends will happen for sure! I can’t wait!