Back to life...back to reality...back to the here and now....
Reentry is never easy after days in the backcountry. What a change of pace! I think the world would be a different place if everyone were forced to spend a few nights in the woods with just what they need carried in on their backs before they become adults. While we by no means are roughing it when we go backpacking, it certainly makes you pare down to the basics. Food, shelter, clothing. There are definitely those who take this to the extreme and shun the sleeping pad, tent and camp stove but not us. We keep things simple but still enjoy our comforts. This was Harlan and Dylan's third backpacking trip and we covered over 13 miles in a few days. Not much by hardcore standards, but for an almost 5 year old (or by his account 4 1/2 & 3/4) and an 8 year old, it's pretty awesome. We got lots of acknowledgement by other hikers on the trail who were impressed with our boys' endurance. Harlan grumbled a bit about the hiking but overall he seemed pretty happy to be in the woods. Dylan was a trooper. So much so that he had to serve as sweeper for the better part of the trip due to his propensity for hiking so far ahead of all of us. Spending time in the High Sierra is a perfect way to acknowledge the important things in life. Clean air, clean water, lush meadows, fish in the lakes, beautiful wildflowers, wild animals. Hard to imagine why more people aren't committed to the protection and preservation of these magical places.
It certainly puts things into perspective to flee the world of technology and the constant barrage of information. No email, calls, news, computers. Only the sounds of the birds singing, the creeks gurgling and the occasional hiker. It's a kind of re-fueling to depart for awhile, go to sleep when the sun sets, wake up when the sun rises and the toughest decision of the day is which pass you're going to hike up to.
We learned some cool history on this trip. In our camp there was an old, rusty jeep frame and along the trail we saw another old-school, steel vehicle frame. The ranger informed us that this was a main road that led to a tungsten mine on the other side of Morgan Pass. The mine was in full production since 1916 and closed in 2000 but the area we were camped in had stopped using it as access many many years ago. The tungsten mine had been a major contributor during the various wars due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.
This trip was a reminder of how much we miss our beautiful dog, Lulu. She was such an incredible backpacking dog. She loved to run through the flowering meadows and she made sure no critters bothered us in camp. I think we will be welcoming a new, four-legged friend in our lives pretty soon. Big paws to fill, but we are ready.
Made the requisite trip to Mono Cone not one but two times. On the way down to Rock Creek and on the way back home. I got questioned about my avoidance of fast food and why I would eat there and not Mc Donalds, I tried to explain why this is somehow different but it fell on deaf ears. Oh well....we all have our hypocrisies.
And so it goes.....back to the grind. Which really isn't much of a grind when you live in a beautiful place like Truckee. Much appreciation all around for a great time in the woods. Until our next adventure......
Reentry is never easy after days in the backcountry. What a change of pace! I think the world would be a different place if everyone were forced to spend a few nights in the woods with just what they need carried in on their backs before they become adults. While we by no means are roughing it when we go backpacking, it certainly makes you pare down to the basics. Food, shelter, clothing. There are definitely those who take this to the extreme and shun the sleeping pad, tent and camp stove but not us. We keep things simple but still enjoy our comforts. This was Harlan and Dylan's third backpacking trip and we covered over 13 miles in a few days. Not much by hardcore standards, but for an almost 5 year old (or by his account 4 1/2 & 3/4) and an 8 year old, it's pretty awesome. We got lots of acknowledgement by other hikers on the trail who were impressed with our boys' endurance. Harlan grumbled a bit about the hiking but overall he seemed pretty happy to be in the woods. Dylan was a trooper. So much so that he had to serve as sweeper for the better part of the trip due to his propensity for hiking so far ahead of all of us. Spending time in the High Sierra is a perfect way to acknowledge the important things in life. Clean air, clean water, lush meadows, fish in the lakes, beautiful wildflowers, wild animals. Hard to imagine why more people aren't committed to the protection and preservation of these magical places.
It certainly puts things into perspective to flee the world of technology and the constant barrage of information. No email, calls, news, computers. Only the sounds of the birds singing, the creeks gurgling and the occasional hiker. It's a kind of re-fueling to depart for awhile, go to sleep when the sun sets, wake up when the sun rises and the toughest decision of the day is which pass you're going to hike up to.
We learned some cool history on this trip. In our camp there was an old, rusty jeep frame and along the trail we saw another old-school, steel vehicle frame. The ranger informed us that this was a main road that led to a tungsten mine on the other side of Morgan Pass. The mine was in full production since 1916 and closed in 2000 but the area we were camped in had stopped using it as access many many years ago. The tungsten mine had been a major contributor during the various wars due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.
This trip was a reminder of how much we miss our beautiful dog, Lulu. She was such an incredible backpacking dog. She loved to run through the flowering meadows and she made sure no critters bothered us in camp. I think we will be welcoming a new, four-legged friend in our lives pretty soon. Big paws to fill, but we are ready.
Made the requisite trip to Mono Cone not one but two times. On the way down to Rock Creek and on the way back home. I got questioned about my avoidance of fast food and why I would eat there and not Mc Donalds, I tried to explain why this is somehow different but it fell on deaf ears. Oh well....we all have our hypocrisies.
And so it goes.....back to the grind. Which really isn't much of a grind when you live in a beautiful place like Truckee. Much appreciation all around for a great time in the woods. Until our next adventure......
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