Backpacking!!!

This is info from my 2nd backpacking trip--I've now been on 4. This trip was to Cedar Glen Trail Camp via Icehouse Canyon Trail.

You know what I think about when I am backpacking or hiking?  Just that -- backpacking or hiking -- and I love that!

I watch the birds and think about mountain lions, and snakes and bears.  I look for game trails and observe scat (a couple weeks ago I would have said animal poop).  I even notice the scars on trees, and I know what it looks like when a bear makes those scars.  I look at foliage and wonder if it is friend or foe.

I listen to, and observe, the other backpackers, even if they are newbies like me, because it teaches me.

I was utterly surprised at my excitement level when I committed to the trip.  I can't remember being that excited about anything in a very long time. I was even brave enough to hitch a ride with two other attendees.

I was excited to try out my vintage Kelty backpack that some kind soul, from freecycle, passed on to me.  It was a little top heavy on the way up making me a little off balance (especially near the top) and it bonked me in the head a few times.  But I packed it better on the way down--no knocking me over and no bonking me in the head.

More than 3/4 of the way up the trail I began to wonder if this really was for me.  Not because I was miserable, but because I felt bad lagging so far behind the group.  The trip leader backtracked from time to time to check on me, and reassured me that my pace wasn't a problem.   I did get my first blister (from hiking/backpacking.  It happened maybe half way up the trail and I kept going because tending to it would have made me even farther behind, but it was getting worse so I stopped to fix it up and was bummed I hadn't stopped as soon as I felt it.

I drank half of my water going up and stopped at a creek that crossed the trail to fill up.  This was my first time getting water from a creek to drink.  It was ice cold.  Now I had to decide whether to boil it or to use my pills.  Some of the group drank it straight from the creek and others treated theirs.  I would treat mine this time just to be safe.  Next time, I might try it without treating it. Boiling it meant no aftertaste, but if I were on a longer hike, fuel should be for cooking and I should find start.  experiment so I can see what works for me.  have to have an aftertaste

I felt like a slacker when I opted out of the day hike so I could nap--was 2.2. miles really all I could do? But when 2 others came back to camp shortly after embarking on the day hike I didn't feel as bad.

I discovered a saying , "hike your own hike," (HYOK), and it was one of those moments when you just "get it". I may be slower, but that is okay. I have to find my own groove.

I can't wait for the next trip!