A weekend at Hartman Creek state park
This past weekend, I took my son James out for a camping trip to Hartman Creek State Park.
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With a big surgery coming up for him in early June, I knew this might be our only chance this spring to get out into the woods together. So we made it count.
Hitting the Road
As soon as work was over, I headed home, got James off the bus, and we started loading up the car.
Before leaving town, we made the required first stop of any good camping trip—gas and snacks.
Tank full, snacks in hand, we hit the road for the two-hour drive. It’s always a different feeling once you’re on the road, knowing you’re heading somewhere simple, somewhere quiet.
Getting There
We rolled into camp around 6:30 in the evening.
By the time I got everything set up, the sun was already starting to dip. It was one of those setups where you’re moving with purpose, trying to beat the light before it disappears completely.
Once camp was ready, we were both hungry—and out of firewood—so we made a quick run into town.
James made the call for dinner: Culver’s.
Not exactly backcountry meals, but honestly… that’s part of what makes trips like this real.
We grabbed some firewood, headed back to camp, got a fire going, and sat down to eat. That’s when everything started to slow down.
Slowing Down
After dinner, I got James settled into bed.
He was in his hammock setup inside the hot tent (no stove), and I stayed out by the fire a little longer.
Just sitting there. Letting the fire burn down.
Reflecting.
Praying.
There’s something about being out in nature that strips everything else away. It’s where I feel closest to God—in the quiet, in the stillness, in the beauty of what He created.
No distractions. Just presence.
Eventually, I called it a night… still wearing the same clothes I had on all day because I forgot my pajamas at home.
Not ideal—but I’ve slept in worse. Headed to bed in my Haventents Haven XL Layflat hammock
A Simple Morning
Saturday morning came easy.
We had breakfast at camp and took our time getting going. No rush, no schedule.
Then I taught James how to use a ferro rod.
We used some Black Beard fire plugs to help get things going, and after a few tries, he got it.
That moment—seeing it click for him—that’s what it’s all about.
A Full Day Outside
The rest of the day was just about being outside.
We went fishing for a while, then headed over to the playground so he could run around and just be a kid.
After that, we stopped by the park office to grab more firewood and check out the souvenirs. I’ve got a tradition of collecting fridge magnets from every state park I visit, but I already had this one.
Instead, I picked up a small animals book for James and a bug catching kit.
We headed back to camp for lunch—jalapeño cheddar brats for me, leftover cheese curds and crackers for him—then went for a hike around Allen Lake.
We checked out the Hellestad House, explored the trails, and just took in everything around us.
Nothing fancy. Just being there.
Letting Him Figure It Out
Back at camp, James wanted to practice starting a fire again.
This time, I stepped back.
I handed him the ferro rod and let him work through it while I sat and watched.
And he figured it out.
Later, he found an old tin can and decided he wanted to build his own stove.
So I showed him how airflow works—how you need holes around the bottom—and helped him get it set up.
After that, it was all him.
He filled it with pine needles and cones, grabbed a stick from the fire, and lit it.
Watching him experiment, figure things out, and take ownership of it… that was one of the best parts of the entire trip.
Ending the Day Right
We kept things simple that night.
More brats over the fire for me, chicken for James, and of course—s’mores.
We sat by the fire, talked, and just enjoyed the evening.
Eventually, he got tired and headed to bed.
And just like the night before, I stayed out a little longer.
Watching the fire.
Thinking.
Taking it all in.
Heading Home
Sunday morning came early.
I got up, made Deathwish coffee, had breakfast, and started packing things up.
James stayed bundled up in his sleeping bag for a while—not quite ready to give up the warmth—but eventually got up and ate.
By 9 AM, we were packed up and heading home.
What This Trip Was Really About
This wasn’t about gear.
It wasn’t about perfect meals.
It wasn’t about doing anything extreme.
It was about time.
Time together.
Teaching him things that matter.
Letting him try, fail, and figure things out.
Slowing down enough to actually be present.
These are the moments that stick.
These are the moments that matter.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know how many trips like this we’ll get.
Life gets busy. Things come up. Seasons change.
But I do know this:
Getting out there—even just for a weekend—was worth it.
Every single part of it.
Want More Like This?
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