Your first day

As you park your bike in the racks in front of the large log cabin, the clock just ticks past 3 PM. The ride here was smooth and enjoyable - well-maintained roads, dry forest and field paths, breathtaking scenery, and perfect weather. A perfect day to kick off a long weekend away from the city, to enjoy some peace in nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The large sign next to the main building confirms that you’ve reached your destination. It’s painted on a broad wooden board, securely fastened to two sturdy branches anchored in the ground. A section of the wood has been roughly primed with white paint, creating a backdrop for a simple illustration - green grass, a blue sky, a yellow sun, a white cloud, and the words "Camp Cozy" spelled out using branch-like shapes. A minimalist logo on a rustic sign, embodying the essence of simple, back-to-basics camping.

For a brief moment, you let your gaze wander across the area. In the distance, you can already make out the lake that lies behind the large tent meadow. Apart from that, you mostly see trees - countless trees forming the forest that stretches around the camping grounds. You smile as you turn and walk toward the cabin.

There is nothing to see here - yet!

— Cinder

As you step inside, you're immediately surrounded by a feeling of warmth and comfort. Directly in front of you appears to be the reception desk, though it's currently unoccupied. Dozens of flyers sit in designated holders, advertising various recreational activities in the area. To the left of the reception, there's clearly a small shop where you can buy all sorts of essentials. From snacks and canned food to toilet paper and matches, it seems to have everything a camper might need in an emergency.

On the other side of the room, at the far end, is a large, open fireplace. Given the time of year, however, it isn’t currently lit. The area is filled with a mix of seemingly random furniture - sofas, armchairs, and tables arranged in small clusters. Among them are also a few dining tables with chairs. Along the edges, large bookshelves stand filled with books and board games, which seem to be available for anyone to use. All in all, it’s a truly cozy space to spend rainy and cold days in warmth and comfort.

"Welcome to Camp Cozy! I'm Jackie. How can I help you?" A receptionist suddenly stands before you, smiling warmly. Her blonde hair loosely tied up in a bun, with a few unruly strands escaping. She tucks one of them behind her ear. She wears what appears to be the staff uniform - a dark T-shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and white sneakers.

"Did you make a reservation, or are you just dropping by?" you suddenly hear her ask.

"Spontaneous," you mumble, slightly caught off guard by her enthusiasm.

"Have you ever stayed at one of our camps before?" she asks kindly.

You barely manage a shake of your head, too distracted by the flood of new impressions as your gaze keeps wandering around the room. You must have taken too long to answer because Jackie smirks - apparently, your confusion is written all over your face. Without hesitation, she reaches behind the counter, grabs a colorful brochure, and lays it out between you. With practiced ease, she picks up a black marker and circles two spots on the map.

"Here, these two are still available," she explains, tracing the locations with the tip of her pen. "This one is right down by the lake - beautiful view, especially in the morning when you can catch the sunrise. But it might be a little busier with other campers around. The weather’s supposed to be warm, so I bet a lot of people will be heading for a swim. The other spot is up here, at the edge of the forest. More secluded, probably quieter during the day... but if it's windy at night, the trees can get pretty loud. On the plus side, it’s darker out there, so the stargazing is incredible. Both spots are about the same distance from the washrooms."

She looks up at you with a bright smile. "Check them out and let me know which one you like. Oh, and you can grab some firewood while you're at it - collecting it yourself isn't allowed."

You take the flyer, mumble a vague response, and step outside, glancing at the map again. Two options - by the water or in the quiet of the woods.

Where will you go first?