When you live in cities or suburbs that seem to feature more cement than vegetation, you tend to develop this yearning for the natural world. Your local park hardly does it for you any more: that little pond with the same three ducks and dozens of visible plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers isn't what puts you at awe when it comes to nature. If this sounds like you and I, then you're probably one who really enjoys camping. The more obscure the locale, the better for your soul.

However, not everything is great about camping and I've experienced some unpleasant things when out in the wilderness. Chalk it up to our urbane brains that can't handle a few (or thousands) of mosquitoes, ticks, and whatnot that live in places we go to disturb. But, whether you're in a tent, a cabin, a lodge, etc., you will relate to these five truly awful things about camping.

1. Why Are There So Many Insects And SPIDERS!?

(Credit: SimpliSafe)

You can't expect to go camping without encountering more critters than you could have ever imagined. Sure, buy all the bug repelling gear in the world, but that will never stop them from being interested in the warm body that has stepped into their territory. And don't even bother with longer sleeves: these things crawl everywhere. Personally, nothing is worse than encountering spiders that are exponentially larger than anything you might encounter back home. These kinds of spiders jump, run, and don't die when you whack them several times with a broom. It's a shame that you can't just burn them all without taking the whole forest down, too.

2. Does It Have To Be So Unbelievably Humid?

(Credit: One Busy WAHM)

Depending on the time, season, or place in which you go camping, you might encounter extreme humidity. Well, you should have known the forest is like a massive sauna (hint: if there's a river or lake, it's gonna feel sticky 24/7). Again, it doesn't really matter what kind of clothes you wear because you just can't beat humidity. You'll spend most of your time camping wishing you were in the shower or in the presence of an air conditioner. If this worries you, bring a fan and make sure there is somewhere for you to plug it in.

3. It Just Had To Rain Each Day That I Scheduled To Be Here...

(Credit: What Camping Tent)

Pretty much anywhere that you can camp requires you to make a reservation ahead of time. So, what happens when your scheduled camping trip is ruined by rain? Honestly, there is little that you can do about it. The best that you can do is hope that you brought something to help you pass the time. Always bring something of this sort: board games, card games, games on your phone or tablet, a movie, or food that you can prepare without having to cook it. Another option is to scout the towns around you ahead of time to see if there are any interesting places for you to visit, or even some good places to get some grub. But, this may lead directly to another issue...

4. Welcome To BFE, Illinois! (Haha, Now You're Stuck!)

(Credit: halfmind @ Flickr)

So, you went camping because the place looked great, but you didn't realize that the closest town was 20-30 minutes away and the best they have to offer is an ice cream stand that sells only four different flavors and Randy's Rundown Burger Joint. If it's just one day, you might survive a meal at Randy's along with the dense smell of ashtrays. And what can be more fun than visiting the dilapidated home of the town's founder that was built in 1815? You might even get to see his deathbed along with his favorite mug! If this variety of fun doesn't suit your fancy, you better hope you brought everything needed to cook outdoors...

5. Someone Didn't Prepare The Food / The Grill / Everything

(Credit: Smoking Meat Geeks)

You (or someone else (or several people)) did not hold up your/their end of the deal. Perhaps someone forgot the food, didn't prepare the food, or didn't bring enough food to feed everyone. Then, the grill person forgot the grill, essential parts for the grill, or didn't clean the grill from the time it was used two years ago. Knowing that this trip has been a lost cause, everyone toughens up and either starves or takes their share of whatever gets cooked, treating it like a small portions meal at Alinea. You impatiently wait for the trip to be over and make mental notes on how much food you will consume at the first fast food place you see on the car ride back home.

Camping is usually a great experience and something you'll want to do time and time again. The key is to be as prepared as you can be, even though it is nearly impossible to predict what might happen when you get to your destination. While the positives should outweigh any negatives, some camping experiences become memorable for the wrong reasons. For anyone who has ever been camping, you have most likely experienced the majority or all the things listed here. For those who have yet to do so, you have been warned.