the Great Outdoors, part 2
I wasn't sure how Jovi would handle sleeping in a tent, or if the three of us would be uncomfortably tight, but I was pleasantly surprised!
That doesn't mean any of us had a great night sleep, of course. The night started eerily quiet, only to be invaded by the sound of frogs calling out to one another until the early morning hours.
One of our sleeping pads had a hole in it, so Randy let me have the good one while he slept on the hard ground. Jovi was disappointed that we didn't bring her a sleeping pad and kept trying to sneak onto mine.
We were definitely ready for coffee when the sun finally came up!
Already our camp felt like home. Randy made some really good coffee (Starbucks instant) and some not-so-good scrambled eggs (not his fault! freeze dried eggs are simply not good!). I purified some water out of the lake to prepare for that day's needs. Jovi patrolled the area to see if any creatures had tried to sneak into our camp at night or if there were any fish in the lake that we could have for dinner.
At the end of the Palisade Creek Trail we were camping on was a series of waterfalls and cascades. Instead of packing up our entire camp and carrying it another 5 miles to the end of the trail, we agreed to leave our camp set up and simply day hike down to the falls and back. Our backs and hips thanked us for leaving our heavy gear behind!
The trail was beautiful, though definitely challenging.
Jovi was full of energy, especially when she caught sight or sound of water, so she and I blazed ahead, while Randy took his time. It was nice to have this time, walking alone with my thoughts, reminiscent of our early days in the Pyrenees of France and Spain. Taking time to intentionally be alone, and alone with your thoughts, is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves!
When we finally made it to the end of the trail, several campsites were setup. People and dogs were lounging and fishing and friendly. We claimed a rock as our own and spent the next two hours simply soaking up the beauty of creation.
Rand and I napped and snacked while Jovi swam in the frigid waters. Luckily I kept her on her leash and was able to reel her in when she nearly went over the cascades.
We could have spent all day on those rocks, but we had to return to our camp. And we were glad to do so. It was a long hike, but every mile we hiked today was a mile we wouldn't have to hike tomorrow.
Jovi and I again blazed ahead, and I was again reminded how much I need silence in my life. Because Randy and I first met and learned to know one another while hiking, we tend to have really great conversations while on the trail. This is where we discuss major decisions and worries, where we laugh and tell stories.
But the trail is also a place where we can practice intentional noiselessness. Away from the sounds of traffic and laundry and the TV. Away from music and the clicking of the keyboard. Focusing on the sounds within, rather than the sounds outside of us.
When we made it back to camp we were all worn out from our 10-mile excursion. We piled into the tent to relax until we were ready for dinner. Jovi napped. Randy looked at pictures on our camera, ranging from that day's hike to our second walk across Spain. And I read. Each practicing noiselessness in our own way.
That doesn't mean any of us had a great night sleep, of course. The night started eerily quiet, only to be invaded by the sound of frogs calling out to one another until the early morning hours.
One of our sleeping pads had a hole in it, so Randy let me have the good one while he slept on the hard ground. Jovi was disappointed that we didn't bring her a sleeping pad and kept trying to sneak onto mine.
We were definitely ready for coffee when the sun finally came up!
Already our camp felt like home. Randy made some really good coffee (Starbucks instant) and some not-so-good scrambled eggs (not his fault! freeze dried eggs are simply not good!). I purified some water out of the lake to prepare for that day's needs. Jovi patrolled the area to see if any creatures had tried to sneak into our camp at night or if there were any fish in the lake that we could have for dinner.
At the end of the Palisade Creek Trail we were camping on was a series of waterfalls and cascades. Instead of packing up our entire camp and carrying it another 5 miles to the end of the trail, we agreed to leave our camp set up and simply day hike down to the falls and back. Our backs and hips thanked us for leaving our heavy gear behind!
The trail was beautiful, though definitely challenging.
Jovi was full of energy, especially when she caught sight or sound of water, so she and I blazed ahead, while Randy took his time. It was nice to have this time, walking alone with my thoughts, reminiscent of our early days in the Pyrenees of France and Spain. Taking time to intentionally be alone, and alone with your thoughts, is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves!
When we finally made it to the end of the trail, several campsites were setup. People and dogs were lounging and fishing and friendly. We claimed a rock as our own and spent the next two hours simply soaking up the beauty of creation.
Rand and I napped and snacked while Jovi swam in the frigid waters. Luckily I kept her on her leash and was able to reel her in when she nearly went over the cascades.
We could have spent all day on those rocks, but we had to return to our camp. And we were glad to do so. It was a long hike, but every mile we hiked today was a mile we wouldn't have to hike tomorrow.
Jovi and I again blazed ahead, and I was again reminded how much I need silence in my life. Because Randy and I first met and learned to know one another while hiking, we tend to have really great conversations while on the trail. This is where we discuss major decisions and worries, where we laugh and tell stories.
But the trail is also a place where we can practice intentional noiselessness. Away from the sounds of traffic and laundry and the TV. Away from music and the clicking of the keyboard. Focusing on the sounds within, rather than the sounds outside of us.
When we made it back to camp we were all worn out from our 10-mile excursion. We piled into the tent to relax until we were ready for dinner. Jovi napped. Randy looked at pictures on our camera, ranging from that day's hike to our second walk across Spain. And I read. Each practicing noiselessness in our own way.
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