We recently embarked on a grand adventure with our furry crew – three curious cats and two energetic dogs – for a car camping trip to Splendor Hills in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas! We packed up the car, loaded our furbabies with excitement (and maybe a few extra kibble and catnip treats!), and set off for what we envisioned as a weekend of snuggles under the stars and exploring the great outdoors… well, almost!
As much as we planned and prepared, sometimes life (or in this case, the weather) throws a curveball. When we arrived at Splendor Hills, we were met with beautiful sunshine – a little too beautiful, in fact. The Batangas heat was cranked up to “high noon in the desert” level, and pitching a tent quickly became an exercise in self-preservation, not relaxation (for both us and our furry companions).
While our initial car camping dream didn’t quite materialize, we weren’t about to let a little heat dampen our spirits! We turned our day trip into a fun-filled exploration of Splendor Hills, and good thing they have cottages! These comfortable havens provided the perfect escape from the scorching sun. We were able to relax, have some delicious meals, and keep our furry crew cool and comfortable.
Here are some of the highlights of our (almost) car camping adventure:
- Cat Expeditions (with plenty of water!): We found some cool, shady spots for our feline friends to explore, making sure they had plenty of water and opportunities to relax.
- Splendor Hills Dog Park Extravaganza: The pups had a blast running around the dog park, making new furry friends and chasing leaves (unsuccessfully, of course!).
- Car Camping Comfort (with AC!): While we didn’t pitch the tent, the car became our air-conditioned haven. We enjoyed delicious bento snacks, read some books, and cuddled with our entire furry crew in the comfy backseat.
- Planning for the Future: Even though our car camping debut wasn’t exactly what we envisioned, it was a valuable learning experience. We’re already planning our next car camping trip for a cooler season, armed with knowledge about shade options and keeping our furry friends cool.
Lessons Learned:
- Always check the weather forecast! This seems obvious, but sometimes the excitement of planning can cloud our judgment. Knowing the weather beforehand would have helped us adjust our expectations and come prepared for the Batangas heat.
- Be Flexible: Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and that’s okay! We learned to adapt and make the most of our day trip.
- Safety First: The well-being of our furbabies is our top priority. Recognizing the dangers of extreme heat helped us make the responsible choice to forgo the tent this time around.
Looking Forward:
Despite the heatwave, our (almost) car camping trip was a positive experience. We learned a lot, had some fun with our furry crew, and created some lasting memories. We’re already looking forward to our next car camping adventure at Splendor Hills, this time with cooler temperatures, a successfully pitched tent, and all the joys of exploring the outdoors with our unique family!
Do you have any car camping tips or stories to share, especially about camping with cats and dogs? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!