Last weekend, I went on a camping trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire! As someone who has experienced many camping adventures since childhood, I knew how to prepare for my weekend in the woods! Before packing for my trip, I paid a visit to a local REI Sports store to make a few purchases. My shopping cart included a lightweight bowl for my meals, a mini travel size spatula for the cooking pan, several snacks, and juices.

Several other items of importance are also quite mandatory for a journey into the wilderness. Therefore, I had to stop at Whole Foods Market to purchase vegan, eco-friendly sunscreen by Alba Botanticals and vegan, non-DEET insect repellent “Buzz Away” by Quantum Health. These are very popular, vegan suncare products.

Anti-bacterial hand wipes and vegan cranberry dental floss were also some of my purchases for the trip.

A favorite website called “Magellan’s” offers a large variety of travel-related items. I purchased instant light towels, facial wipes and body wipes since the campgrounds provided neither a shower facility nor a sink for washing.

Since my weekend would include light hiking and trail walking, I also had to pack my vegan hiking boots by Saucony which I purchased at the all-vegan shoe store “Sudo Shoes” in Cambridge, Massachusetts!

My final purchases before my weekend were vegan gum and a few nutritious travel snacks and side meals such as peach, banana, and small packaged salad.

Now that I was well-prepared and my backpack was packed, it was time for breakfast before I headed up to the mountains! My breakfast was a toasted wheat roll with vegan Choc&Nut(chocandnut). This tasty new creation is the perfect vegan substitute for the famous, non-dairy chocolate and hazelnut similar product!

The time had arrived to be on my way! As I drove through New Hampshire on this hot and muggy day, I kept a refreshing container of coconut water by my side in the car to quench my thirst.

The drive through scenic, little town, lakes, and mountains made my commute a pleasant one. When I arrived close enough to The White Mountains, I set up lunch at a picnic table at a visitor’s center. I had my mango squeeze bottle juice, my homemade vegan potato salad with celery,onions, and vegan “Veganaise” mayo; and my Whole Foods black bean and corn salad. What seems to work well for camping trips is a combo of 1. packaged prepared foods from market, 2. homemade meals, and 3. freeze-dried camping meals. My fresh fruit mix contained blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and kiwis.

As my drive continued further north, I noticed the White Mountain Art Museum and a lookout point for some photo opportunities. The museum offered some prints and paintings of the mountains and its residents from over 100 years ago to the present.

Finally, I had reached my destination: The White Mountain National Park and my campgrounds!

The entrance road provide picturesque views of streams, forest, and mountains.

After finding my site, I headed up the road to the Great Glen Trail for some outdoor scenery and hitting the lovely, yellow flower dotted trails. I also stopped at the overlook spot to take a photo of the Presidential Range of Mountains in my sight, including Mount Washington: The highest peak in the Northeast.

Even further up the road was the Thompson Waterfalls. My fig bar kept me nourished as I walked through the hot forest. I did some invigorating hiking through those winding wooded trails until I reached the waterfalls. This was a healthy and energetic way to end my afternoon!

Dusk was almost upon us, so I headed back to the campgrounds. I set up my tent for the evening with a rain cover and a three season sleeping bag.

My group gathered around the campfire awaiting their individual meals. I got some hot water and prepared my “Backpacker’s Pantry” Katmandu Curry(Katmandu Curry). It consisted of potatoes, lentils, brown rice, peas, carrots, and curry seasoning. The brand is sold at outdoor equipment stores. The product brochures clearly state which meal items are vegan.

I also roasted some fresh corn on the cob over the coals.

Finally, I put some fresh zucchini slices, summers quash slices, and sliced green, red and yellow peppers on a wooden skewer stick over the campfire to roast. My vegan BBQ sauce by Organic Ville(Vegan BBQ Sauce) was the perfect topping for the skewered veggies.

After my delicious dinner meal, I prepared some vegan s’mores. Using Dandies vegan marshmallows(Dandies vegan marshmallows) roasted over the coals, dark chocolate, and graham crackers, my dessert was ready to consume. It was sweet and yummy!

My group sat around the campfire and chatted for a while before calling it a night.

The nest morning, everyone decided to rise and shine fairly early to a get a start on their day. It was an overnight trip after all. I started my day with my vegan raisin oatmeal and peanut butter breakfast from Backpacker’s Pantry(raisin oatmeal and peanut butter). It was fantastic! The Backpacker’s Pantry freeze-dried camp meals are flavorful.

Then I packed up my tent and belongings and headed for some more scenic views in the area. I walked through a bit of the Appalachia trail in the nearby forest.

Since a long commute lay before me, I snacked on my nutritious and tasty fruity Pure Bar.

My lunch time had arrived. I dined on the Mary Jane’s Farm vegan “lentils and rice” freeze-dried camping meals(lentils and rice). The brand states on their packaging which meals are vegan. After adding some hot water and presto..my amazing meal was ready!

I snacked on trail mix with nuts and fruit, in my car and on the walking trails.

As I drove through the mountainous region of central New Hampshire, admiring the landscape, Franconia Notch grabbed my attention. This area is well worth a stop. I got out of my car to walk through trails and streams to appreciate the breath-taking views in nature!

After 3 hours or so, I arrived back home. My overnight camping trip in The White Mountains was a success! I enjoyed the vegan meals, the camping experience, and the gorgeous landscape of forests, streams, and majestic mountains!