We had been talking about a backpacking trip for quite some time, and about a year ago we decided that we wanted REI to be one of our wedding registry sites. What better way to get her outfitted with the camping and backpacking gear she needs, and for me to get some new toys?!
So now, with all the water filters, trekking poles, sporks and bug juice we needed (and a rare open weekend for both of us), the plans were made. I got us set up with our permits with the local Cleveland National Forest, and after making a few more REI runs (duh), we were ready to introduce Julie to the world of backpacking.
While making our drive out to the trailhead, I was very curious how Julie would enjoy the adventure, how she would handle the outdoor elements of camping, and how she would do with access to way less food than she's used to! What follows are some of the highlights of Julie's First Backpacking Adventure...
BACKPACKING RETRO-DIARY - DAY #1
9:30am - We hit the trail for our 6-mile hike on Day #1.
9:32am - Julie already asks when lunch is.
9:40am - Julie has already managed make the trip completely girly by using the words "cuddle" and "snuggle" in reference to sleeping in the tent. Of all the things she would get excited about on this journey, it always went back to two things: food and snuggling.
10:00am - She has now added the word "cute" to her verbal repertoire in describing the animals she might see on the trip. I'll tell ya, you never feel more manly on a camping trip when your wife uses the words "snuggle", "cuddle", and "cute" in the first 30 minutes of a backpacking trip.
10:01am - I make the grave realization that I've never been on a camping or backpacking trip with a girl before...and instantly start wondering what I'd got myself into.
10:18am - Julie discovers her favorite word of the trip - "SCAT!" Yep, scat.
10:30am - We hit our first trail junction, from Noble Canyon to Indian Creek. We're making great time, we're both feeling good, and we haven't even had to stop for snacks yet.
10:32am - We stop for snacks.
10:45am - After climbing out of a small river valley, we get to the first steep climb of the hike. During this portion, Julie discovers one of her second favorite word of the trip - "SWITCHBACK!" Once again, the capital letters and exclamation point are necessary in accurately portraying her excitement.
11:15am - We take a side trail for a quick jaunt over to a peak known as "Champagne Pass."
11:16am - Julie is sad to find out there is no champagne.
11:25am - We hit our second trail junction, from Indian Creek to Pine Mountain. Julie looks like she hasn't shed a drop of sweat. She's a champ.
12:00pm - We start looking for a good place to set up camp, with some bushwhacking involved.
12:04pm - Julie realizes she doesn't like bushwhacking.
12:30pm - We find a great hidden site with plenty of room for tent, cooking and some nearby bouldering.
12:31pm - Julie makes the executive decision that we eat lunch first, then set up camp. So she got her first experience with PB&J on tortillas for lunch. Add some trail mix and dried fruit, and she was a happy girl.
12:45pm - Julie learns how to set up a tent!
1:00-4:30pm - We go on a short little day-hike in search of water, realize none of the streams are full (more on this in the next post), find some more scat, play some cribbage in the tent, take a little siesta, and Julie talks incessantly about dinner.
5:15pm - Julie waits long enough and convinces me to fire up the stove for dinner. After picking out some dehydrated Pad See Ew from REI a few days earlier, she was ready to get her first taste of "camping food." So I bust out our brand new JetBoil stove setup, find a non-windy area, light a match, and...
5:16pm - Julie is shocked how quickly the water boils. She is now totally sold on JetBoils.
5:17pm - Julie is slightly disappointed when she realizes now the water has to sit in the food package for 13 minutes before it's ready.
5:20pm - She has already looked at her watch ten times.
5:29pm - She is staring at this package like a lion stalking its prey. Drool ensues.
5:30pm - She opens, she stirs, she conquers.
5:45pm - It begins to cool off, so we transition to our long-sleeve shirts and beanies, and I tell Julie to pull out the flashlights and headlamps so we don't have to look for them later in the dark. She heard that as, "YAY, I GET TO WEAR MY HEADLAMP!" So she wore it for the rest of the day, including in daylight.
6:30pm - The sun goes down, the wind picks up, the girl gets cold. We head to the tent, play some cribbage and chat, and enjoy the warmth.
7:15pm - I fire up the JetBoil for some dessert hot chocolate, and it is without question, Julie's favorite moment of the whole trip. She thought it was the most amazing hot chocolate ever.
7:16pm - We're freezing so we go back in tent.
7:45pm - Julie discovers all the fun parts of a mummy bag, including covering her whole head.
8:15pm - Julie forgets she's playing and falls asleep.
Thus ends the first day of Mrs. Living the Dream's backpacking adventure. Stay tuned for the Day #2 post, where we talk more about food, break down the tent, hit the Pacific Crest Trail, and battle one hell of a windstorm!
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