Camping in a Thunderstorm… and This Happened for Dinner

I set out for a simple one-night camping trip in the Loess Hills of Iowa, finding a quiet spot in the shadow of Murray Hill. Just as I finished setting up my tent and front porch tarp, the sky opened up, and a steady rain began to fall. What followed was one of the most peaceful nights I’ve experienced in the woods—rain tapping against the tarp, distant thunder rolling through the hills, and a calm that only comes when you have nowhere else to be. But I made a mistake. I forgot my main food bag. Instead, I was left with a random collection of ingredients… so I decided to make the best of it. What came out of that challenge was something I never expected—an Asian-inspired Reuben sandwich with seared Spam, pastrami, Swiss cheese, kimchi, and a makeshift sriracha mayo. It shouldn’t have worked—but it absolutely did. I cooked dinner under the tarp as the rain fell around me, turning a simple meal into something memorable. The next morning, with a cup of coffee in hand, I reflected on the forest around me. The Loess Hills hold a quiet kind of wisdom—young saplings growing beside ancient oak and walnut trees, and fallen timber still full of life. It reminded me of something my grandfather once told me… that even when a tree appears dead, it’s still giving life to everything around it. For the first time, I think I truly understood what he meant. Maybe it just took time. This trip also marked my 59th birthday—and it felt like the right place to slow down and take it all in. If you’re looking for peaceful rain camping, simple outdoor cooking, and a quiet moment to reset, I hope this video gives you a bit of that. — Eric #camping #raincamping #loesshills #solocamping #outdoorcooking #asmr #relaxingnature #backpacking #campfirecooking #naturetherapy #iowaoutdoors #stormcamping #simpleliving #mindfulness #forestlife