Backcountry

My friends coerced me into going on an overnight backpacking trip last weekend.  I don’t like backpacking.

My sister tried in vain many years ago to get me to fall in love with the sport.  I’m too smart for that.  However, since it has been over ten years since my last excursion, I decided to give it another shot.  So I did.

And I still don’t like backpacking.

We went to the Mt. Jefferson wilderness and hiked into Carl Lake.  There was an enormous forest fire in the area ten years ago and the devastation of that fire was still very evident.  It was really pretty in some parts and burned out in other parts.  We hiked 16 miles total so it wasn't a grueling adventure, but I just don’t get the appeal of schlepping through the wilderness with a backpack full of junk.  Seriously…what’s there to love about it?

Being dirty?

Urinating in the woods?

Sleeping on the ground?

Sweating like a horse?

Eating dehydrated food?

Being on the lookout for bears?

No, thank you.

There were a few things I enjoyed.  I enjoyed coming home to my little family and seeing the beautiful bouquet of flowers they had for me.  They even made a couple of flowers out of tissue paper – super cute.

I enjoyed recklessly eating Swedish Fish, swapping stories around the camp fire, and the delicious pizza we stopped for on the way home. I also really enjoyed seeing the beauty of God’s earth.  But I feel like there are easier ways to see nature. 

Like on TV.