But after the first night, my face probably looks like this pattern on the picnic table bench.

lol, nice start of your post.

there’s nowhere I’d rather be spending a night than outside in a forest, near a trickling stream in the serenity of nature, waking to the songs of the birds.

I’m the same. I love to spend as much time as I possibly can in forest and with nature. My recent trip I’ve been to was amazing. You can see here.
I completely agree with you about taking time off from all this technology we are everywhere surrounded by. At some point, everyone needs break and the best way to do that, is to spend time with family and the nature.

yet it still stinks in here for more than a minute when someone lets loose.

lol, I can imagine your face😷. Anyway, I know exactly how it is when you sleep on 2” thick mat. The following morning is pretty painful. Once I do my morning exercise and drink my coffee, I’m just fine.
BTW: Unless I missed the answer in your post, when you camp, do you carry something for your protection such as pepper spray? You know bears... I do!