At Play, In Nature

Recapping 2011 Outdoor Adventures

2012-01-22T04:44:00.000-08:00

I did not keep up with my blog ... That's because I was so busy being outdoors! So, from my first overnight adventure of camping in 2010, that has led me to:

22 camping outings in 2011 - all of them in the local DelMarVa/PA area for a total of 48 nights spent outdoors! Most trips were 1 or 2 nights. Yet, one trip was a bike/camp group tour with 5 nights spent camping. Also, I had 4 wonderful nights at a state park, practically by myself - which deserves a separate post.
Wanting to contribute something back to Nature, I started volunteering with the state parks
Which led me to the Maryland Master Naturalist program. I was accepted into that. Classroom instruction, field trips, pre-reading, class project, and exam consumed most of my free time in the fall.
I assisted leading a few outings with the Washington Women Outdoors group.

With a regular job, long commute, normal family & home responsibilities, journaling my adventures took a backseat.

Hoping for Rain

2011-08-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

April, 2011

I had two goals for this 2-night trip: I was hoping for rain (yes) and I wanted to try camping all week-end, through Sunday night. And then going straight to the office. A few reasons for this idea: campgrounds are quieter on Sunday afternoon and night - most people depart Sunday morning. And this would save on the number of miles I'd be driving over the weekend.

I tried a new location, too: at Patapsco, but the Hollofield area. Whoa! my site was tiny ....

My first thunderstorm

The reason I was hoping for rain is that I realized I've had great weather ever since I started camping. I'm starting to wonder if I even know what to do in the rain. This week-end the forecast called for rain up until I arrived at the campground. By then, the forecast called for 0% chance of rain. Oh well ... I'll try again another time.

But then early in the night, a thunderstorm came through. Actually three of them, in succession. Rain I was hoping for. Lighting and thunder - no! I really didn't know what to do safety-wise, but being at the highest elevation in the area, I decided to wait it out in my car. The lightning was incredibly brilliant. Being outdoors in a storm is quite different than being in your house .... I was a bit apprehensive to say the least. Ok - I was scared. But as long as I was in my car, I felt safe. It was a long evening, wondering if a tree or branch would come crashing down & just waiting out the storms.

Sunday sunrise over the PVSP ridge:

Sunday morning was absolutely delightful! Clear skies. All kinds of songbirds. A few birds were flitting through the woods at my campsite. Spring is coming. Temps were in the mid- to high 30s.

A work issue came up, so I had to take care of that before I did any hiking.

My home-away-from-home office:

Nighttime
Night time is not pitch-black here at PVSP. I think there's too much "civilization" to be totally dark. But I could see lots of stars, twinkly like sprinkled glitter amongst the tall trees. Nighttime noises: no critters or birds .... but CSX train, ambulances, muffled traffic & motorcycles, and airplanes.

Monday / straight to the office
That sounded like a good idea but was more difficult in practice. I had to set an alarm so that I woke in time to get to the office on time. There's just something wrong about an alarm while you're sleeping outdoors ... It was still dark. I found it a bit difficult to get moving in the cold dark. Making coffee and dismantling the tent and campsite is slower and much less fun.

Monday sunrise:

Explore Little Bennett; Scope Out Orienteering Course

2011-06-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

March, 2011

I ventured out to western suburbs, close to D.C., to try out a regional Maryland park that offered camping. And an Orienteering event was being held there. Also, this park had several permanent orienteering courses. I could do one or two for fun on my own, as well as scope out leading an event for one of the outdoors group I belong to.

Even though the campground is hardly a mile or two from civilization (some nicely upscale housing developments!), when I arrived I was the only camper. I felt very alone and secluded. I was actually a bit apprehensive. I set up camp, intending to enjoy the seclusion and quiet; but after a few hours, others started arriving.

The sites are somewhat close together. There's very little privacy since it's still late winter / early spring and there's little greenery yet.

Over the course of the week-end

all the sites that were open at that time of year were full
a group next to me decided to blast music until 10:20pm (yes, I know the exact time they turned it off ...) - country, blues, rock
campers included a large group of Scouts. But sometime after dark, they quietly packed up and left -- there was no one around when I woke in the morning. I didn't even hear them leave; although the music was so loud maybe that's why I didn't hear anything else.

Other Noise (yikes!)

At some point in the middle of the night, I heard a noise like wood hitting wood: "Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack!", then a "Yowl!" I have no idea what that was ...

Saturday
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this park. I did the easiest Orienteering course installed there. I found the map and cues easy to understand. The trails were well-marked and gentle.

Later that day, I did some additional hiking on the trails around the campground. Lovely, gentle evening hiking!

Sunday
Even though winter is ending, it's still chilly. Night temps may have fallen into the upper 20s; I had snow or frost on my tent. As usual, it was slow-going dismantling and packing up in time to head out to do an Orienteering event.

It's Still "Winter":

Brilliant Sunshine:

Exploring New Hikes; and the Super Moon!

2011-06-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

March, 2011

Every camping experience is a learning experience. On this trip, I learned that sound travels. Without any greenery buffer between sites, you can hear every zip of the tent, every word, from the campers next to you...

"Winter" is over -- there were a lot more campers. But on Friday, the night temps fell below freezing; judging by the activity during the night, other folks weren't quite prepared - I heard several trips out to cars to get warmer clothes or extra bedding. Saturday morning was pretty chilly; again, it was tough to get started, move around, and prepare coffee and breakfast.

This outing was also planned last fall. I thought I had selected a primo site that would give me a great view of the sunrise and have some privacy from others. But I had selected wrong. Oh well. It was still very pretty.

The weather was noticeably warmer during the day and I enjoyed being outdoors. On both Saturday and Sunday (beautiful late-winter days), I drove over to the Fair Hills area and explored several hiking trails there. The trails were fairly well-marked and not overly strenuous; I felt comfortable being out there by myself.

Hiking At Fair Hills:

I try to plan my camping trips on week-ends with a full moon, so I can more fully enjoy them. This week-end was actually a "super moon". It rose as a bright orange ball, and hung low in the sky for awhile. Everyone at the campground was enjoying the view.

Sunday was warmer with brilliant sunshine and calm winds. Since I intended to hike, I had to pack up. But I just wanted to linger! I find Elk Neck perfect for outdoor R&R. I did take time to hang my tent to air out; wipe it down; and clean my stakes. A nice day to spend time on camping chores.

Touches of Spring:

Antsy to Get Back Outdoors!

2011-06-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

March, 2011

It's been several weeks since I've camped. And I'm getting antsy - I need to get outdoors !! Way back in December of last year, when I started these solo camping adventures, I reserved a spot at Cape Henlopen as soon as they opened for the season to kick-off a new camping season -- never guessing at the time that I would venture out for winter camping.

So this trip was going to be my first for the year, and is actually my third!

The Experience
Though it was March, and day-time temps would be in the 40s and low-50s, this trip was very similar to the previous "winter camping" outing at Maple Tree. The wind was brisk; the sun wasn't very bright; and the day (and night!) felt cold. Night time temps were in the high 20s; therefore "below freezing". It was a bit energy-draining to deal with cooking and being outdoors all day in wind and cold.

For the first night, the only other camper was the camp host. Even so, I setup at my favorite site, even though it's right across the trail from the camp host.

I love Cape Henlopen. Not just for it's natural beauty, but for the comfiness of sleeping on sand and pine needles. Best sleep ever!

Ocean Views:

People on the Beach have their winter coats on:

Sunday
Bike ride to Rehoboth. Beer sampling at Dog Fish Head Brewery. French fries from Thrasher's on the boardwalk. And a nap on the beach, before biking back to the campground and driving home.
Breakwater & Junction Rail Trail:

A Second "Winter Camping" Outing - Incredible Wind

2011-06-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

February, 2011

The 3-day holiday week-end started out with an unusually warm winter day; and I headed out to the Harper's Ferry area to stay at Maple Tree, a private campground.

I have fallen in love with that campground and can't wait to go back -- it is totally adorable:

first, the campground is only for tents or ... for folks camping out in their tree houses - yes, tree houses!
the camp office building is an old home, with a large porch where you can gaze out on the meadow in front and catch glimpses of a silvery ribbon of river
the porch is decorated with wind chimes and potted plants
the bathroom is decorated with cute accessories such as wall signs and baskets
the showers are outdoors! wooden stalls, rock floors, primitive mirrors, and potted plants

The View From My Campsite:

The Experience
The warm day was welcome. My site was farthest up the hill on which the campground is located; going back & forth to my car was strenuous; taking the trail down to the camp office/building counted as a mini-hike!

The sun was down by about 6:30pm. About 8:00pm, I thought I heard a freight train. I knew there are trains going through Harpers Ferry, but that's about 6 miles away. I doubted if the noise would carry that far, and I couldn't remember crossing any other train tracks on the way to the campground. The "freight train" kept going by. If it wasn't a train, I thought it must be multiple airplanes overhead. Finally, I realized it was the wind.

I don't know how strong the winds were; checking weather reports post-trip, they were in the 40-50mph range. The noise kept me awake for several hours; that and the concern that one of those tall trees were going to come crashing down upon my tent. I debated whether I should get in my car and spend the night there; but my car was just as vulnerable to a tree coming down as my tent.

Saturday
Waking up on Saturday morning, I quickly re-learned the downside of winter camping -- it's really, really cold in the morning. First, you don't want to get out of your tent -- but you need your coffee and food. The wind was still blowing rather briskly, the sun was reduced by cloud cover; so trying to get water started and get my body in motion in temps about 27 degrees was a new experience. It was like moving in slow motion, but I did it!

One of the delightful parts of being at Maple Tree was once I got moving, and made my coffee, it was a pleasure to hike the short trail down to the office building, and sit on the patio (sheltered from the wind) watching the sun rise higher in the sky.

For the main part of the day, I drove down to the C&O Canal and went bike riding for a couple of hours.

Back at the campsite, I realized that the wind and colder temps was really sapping my energy. The evening was a repeat of the morning -- adjusting to sitting out in the cold to prepare hot water and foot.

Sometime during the night, the wind calmed down; it was much quieter, and I got a better night's sleep.

Sunday
Maple Tree campground is located like 1/2 mile from the Appalachian Trail. Instead of just bushwhacking up to the trail itself, I drove to the Gathland State Park contact station and spent a few hours hiking south, and back.

Overall, it was a successful "winter camping" outing - new challenges presenting more opportunities to learn about the outdoors, and myself.

Sometimes, Quitting Can Be So Sweet

2011-05-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

February, 2011

The ending to my winter camping experience was an Orienteering event at Manassas. I looked forward to it, and planned to try an Intermediate course. How lost can you get on a battlefield? Hmmm ....

As I assembled my gear for the event, I remembered that I hadn't done any mental warm-up, unless you can count making a wrong turn and then finding my way to the event. Tearing down my campsite from the night before counts as a physical warm-up. Packing my compass, I thought maybe I should spend a few minutes with the book, as a refresher. Unfortunately, I nixed that idea; figured I could rember how to use it.

The course was laid out over the Manassas Battlefiled. so you had fields of mowed grass, areas of unmowed grass batted down by the winter, and groves of treees and brush.

The event folks suggested I try an intermediate course; because you couldn't really get lost in the battlefield area.

This time, I easily found the "start". Haha, as it was right at the registration area. But true-to-form, it took me a bit to find the first checkpoint. That's when I realized I should have refreshed my compass skills as it was apparent I was doing something wrong.

Instead of taking the time to go back and ask for help, I decided to rely on the natural landscape / geographic features and my awesome [sarcasm here] powers of observation. So, I muddled through (quite an approprite term as the fields were pretty muddy) checkpoints 2 and 3.

Feeling good, I followed a trail to get me close to #4, which was ... where??? I couldn't find it. Went to a landmark and tried again. Still couldn't find it. Encountered another person in the same spot I started and headed with him. We both still couldn't find it. He continued bushwhacking further into an area of forest; I turned back.

On the trail, I met some folks who appeared to be experienced. They headed cross-field. That's when I decided it wasn't a whole lot of fun bushwhacking throuogh knee-deep grasses and muddy fields without really being certain of where I was going.

So, I had major compass fail. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Apparently, there were others doing the same "wrong" thing as me, because I kept meeting up with the same people. Jeez, I even had Boy Scouts help me and my brain would just blank out.

Eventually, I realized I wasn't having a whole lot of fun. Decided to call it quits, got on a main trail, and headed back to the start area. The day immediately got better.

Post-event assessment of why the day didn't turn out as I had hoped:

I was mentally and physically drained from Saturday's hike.
Likely, also a bit drained from my first winter camping experience.
I should've reviewed my "how to use a compass" notes
And likely should've found a way to settle my brain and "warm-up"

My First Winter Camping Experience!

2011-05-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

February, 2011

Otherwise subtitled: The campground wouldn't have been so bad except for the gun shots ...

I did it !!!! My first, real "winter camping" experience! I'll qualify it with night time temps in the high 20s; frozen footprints in the morning; and ice crystals on my tent. It was a wonderful experience; I enjoyed it; and I learned a lot!

So here's how it went down:

After the tough hike (described in the post below), I headed to Bull Run in Virginia. The campground is fairly large, as compared to ones I've stayed at so far. But there were only about five other sites occupied, all RVers. There was NO ONE in the tent area. Very cool! I looked forward to a night of real peace & quiet. I got to drive around and pick whatever site I wanted.

No Other Tent Campers!

By my arrival in late afternoon, the weather had evolved into one of those warmish winter days with bright sunlight. Any snow or ice melted, and the sites were MUDDY. Of all the checklists and gear items I've read about, it never occurred to me how muddy wet ground could get. But the day was warm, and it was fun. Well, for awhile. The park includes a shooting range. That area happened to be adjacent to the campground. So there were gunshots non-stop until 5:00pm. I developed a horrendous headache .... and was thrilled when the range closed for the day.

Then there was total peace and quiet. I learned how quiet winter days can be. Also, I quickly learned how short the days are in winter; by the time I was set up, the sun was setting.

I have to admit by that time, I was a bit apprehensive. I felt very alone and very vulnerable. Not sure what my fear was ... Animals? I imagine any big critters (i.e. bears) were hibernating. Small animals/critters should only be a nuisance; it's not like they're going to eat me alive.

Is it people? Do I not feel safe? Possibly. But it would be difficult for anyone to approach me without me hearing them. And why would scary people be out camping in the cold also, just waiting for their opportunity to attack a solo woman. I mean really, what are the odds???

So logically it didn't make sense to have any fear, but there was the apprehension. Darkness is scary. Quietness is unsettling.

I kept telling myself: My car is only 20 feet away. I slept with a whistle next to me. And a knife.

Eventually though, I bundled up, snuggled in, and sleep deeply. Not a sound disturbed me. It was one of the best night's sleep I've ever had.

I wake up and it's C.O.L.D. I'm warm in my sleeping bags. I quickly learned that it's not the nights to plan for, it's the first-thing-in-the-morning. It's not a whole lot of fun getting out of a warm sleeping bag, moving around in sub-freezing temps, trying to make coffee, then breakfast, and eventually breaking down campsite. There is no warm place to retreat to, such as: indoors.

Frozen Footprints!

That being said, it was rather exciting that I easily made it through the night, slept fantastic, and well, if I got too cold, I could just Get.In.The.Car. The campground had a bathhouse that was open. But I decided it was too much trouble to cart my stuff down there. I could just as easily get dressed in my tent.

I may have done a big no-no as far as tents go; I really have no idea. But I heated a pot of water and brought it into the tent with me. The steam created a sauna effect; it actually was quite nice washing up and getting dressed with the moist warm air.

So, I loved the experience. And I can't wait to try it again!

Winter SunRise

Sheer Stupidity or How My Arms and Back Came To Be So Sore From a Hike

2011-02-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

The week-end began with a hike at one of the parks along the Potomac River. The day was expected to be relatively warm, but it was overcast and felt cooler than it was. The trail ran through tall, decidous trees that are bare now for winter. In many places, particularly at the beginning, the width of the trail was covered in ice, but we found good footing trudging through the vegetation alongside the trail. It was easy walking and a good day to be outdoors. After an hour or so, we wound our way down to the Potomac and paused at this scenic spot.

Then we moved on, following the trail along the river gorge. From my mountain-bike-racing days, I tend to hyper-focus on the trail in front of me. All I pay attention to is the condition and terrain of the trail in front of my, gauging my physical abilities. I'll cycle through studying the path right in front of me, to a view about 5 feet in front, and then further ahead. But any irrelevant information, such as what's going on outside the periphery of the trail itself -- I don't even notice. Which was perfectly appropriate for mountain-bike-racing, since we were always on pre-planned courses. But it's not appropriate for hiking, particularly on new trails.

The trail, alongside the rocky edge, became more narrow and evolved into single-track. We were ever so slightly gaining elevation. We came to an area of small boulders to clamber over. I love rock scrambling! I was focused on finding the right spot for my foot on the increasingly narrow, yet ice-covered path, often using my hands to somewhat crawl up and along the trail.

Glancing ahead to see how far we still needed to go, I stopped and looked around. That's when I noticed we had crawled/hiked our way onto a rocky, icy ledge no more than three-feet wide. On one side was the hillside. On the other side .... nothing. Off the edge was just a plunge down into the Potomac about 50-75 feet below us.

The other hikers didn't seem to be bothered about it, but I thought it was a particularly stupid place to be. One wrong step and ... ... While letting this all soak in to my brain, the hikers ahead had scouted out the trail ahead, came back, and said we couldn't continue further along as the trail up ahead was "treacherous". And this part of the trail wasn't???

The only option was to go back. I realized I couldn't physically turn around; I was going to have to crawl/slide down. Trying to move backward, I couldn't get secure footing on the trail. Even in spots that weren't icy, the earth was frozen, making moving downhill slippery.

That's when the fear kicked in. It wasn't my irrational, panic-attack-type fear of heights. This was totally rational, totally logical fear of death. I remembered the banner at one park along this river that states "Since such-and-such a date, X number of people have died from falling into the Potomac. Stay away from the edge." I remember reading articles in the Washington Post each year on people "playing on the rocks" who fell in and died. I remember thinking they were effin' idiots for being so stupid. Now, it could be me. And I thought: is this how people end up having to be rescued?

I made my way down. Slowly. With my fingers, I dug out a spot on the hillside to make a hand grip. Then I'd slide down on my butt a few inches. Make another handhold. Slide. And again. And again. All the time, holding on for dear life.

Once we all got off that ledge, we quit the trail and bushwhacked back to safer terrain. We took another side trail. When we saw it was heading to the edge again, we opted out. Found another trail that safely led down to a view at the river. The rest of the hike back was as pleasant as the beginning. Our 3.5 miles easy winter trek took us 3.5 hours.

"AWOL on the Appalachian Trail"

2011-02-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Pertinent topic + Kindle sale + "2 books a week" challenge and I ended up totally immersed in David Miller's book: AWOL on the Appalachian Trail - his account of thru-hiking the trail.

I could not put down the book. Finished in it an evening and the next morning. He has such an engaging, conversational style of writing and I liked the topics he focused on.

He writes about the reasons behind his decision to take on the journey; the relationship with his wife and how he missed his children; and the people that came in and out of his life along the trail - in particular, this gave me a good perspective on the type of people you meet long-distance hiking, the correct etiquette for interactions, and how safe one may feel.

He provides great color around the trail conditions and the type of terrain and forest cover you'd walk thru. For instance, I had no idea how steep, rocky, exposed sections of the trail are.

He describes, without being repetitive, daily life on the trail: planning for food, "heading into town" days, dealing with injuries, and why hikers take "zero" days. I almost felt as if I was trudging alongside him - getting hungry. Or wet. And being thrilled by "trail magic" - goodies left by other hikers.

Because I enjoyed his writing style, I wished he had offered up more reflections on how the thru-hike changed his life. But maybe that's the takeaway. Many people do a thru-hike like this with the expectation of problems being solved, resolutions achieved, and life-changing outcomes. But that's not necessarily the case. It's just one event, in a lifetime of many. Maybe your life evolves in more subtle ways.

I was fascinated by his account. Prior to reading it, I had no interest in spending 5-7 months hiking alone on the AT. And after reading the book, I still have no desire! I'm perfectly happy just reading about it. I'll stick with my mini-adventures :)

Signed Up For a 330-Mile Bike Tour

2011-02-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

I was researching some fun ideas for the summer and landed on some bike touring websites. I thought it might be fun to ride the C&O Canal and camp. Or, ride the Great Allegheny Passage trail from Cumberland, Maryland to Pittsburgh, PA. This particular night, I found out that the Adventure Cycling Association offers a supported tour that includes BOTH trails. One can start in D.C. and ride 330 miles in 7 days, camping each night along the way. Sounds ideal! So I wrote my essay/application, paid my deposit, and got accepted.

On the tour, we'll average 46 miles a day. Now, since I probably haven't even ridden 46 miles over the past 10 years, I think I better get on the bike ...

The "Psychological Index" of a Warm, Sunny Day

2011-02-14T16:45:00.000-08:00

February 6, 2011

Sunday arrived sunny, dry, and warm - 40 degrees by 9:00am. We need a new weather term. We have the "wind chill" index to indicate how much colder it really feels than the actual temp. We need one to indicate how good you feel when a winter day is suddenly warmer and brighter than expected. Today's "psychological" index was at least 65 degrees! It was a get-out-and-play day.

I need to get some miles on the bike, which is a whole 'nother story. So I headed out to the North / Central rail/trail. In the parking lot at the trail, as I was getting my bike and gear together, other people looked at me like I was nuts. Ha! Let them stare. I knew what I was doing.

The joke was on me as I discovered that the freezing rain the day before left the trail as a path of ice, with ruts from a gazillion footprints frozen in time. There was no way I could get any traction and ended up putting my bike away.

Instead, I spent about an hour+ "hiking" the ice-path. Came across these awesome tracks! Couldn't wait to get home and research them. Concluded it was only a dog -- but a big dog!

Groundhog Day / Imbolc - Spring is on its Way!

2011-02-09T01:59:00.000-08:00

February 2, 2011

The contemporary tradition of Groundhog Day is rooted in the ancient Celtic tradition of Imbolc - a time to celebrate the return of light and warmth: Spring.

When Christianity spread through Europe, the tradition evolved into Candlemas Day and became associated with St. Brigid.

It is believed that Imbolc gives an indication of the remaining length of winter:
If the day is cloudy and moist (indicating a warm air mass) - spring is nigh!
A sunny, bright, crisp, clear day (due to a cold front) - more days of winter.

Here, it was cloudy, drizzly, foggy - Spring is just around the corner!

More Snowshoe'g!

2011-02-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

Energized by this new activity, I head to Susquehanna State Park. I plan to take the trail that runs along the river.

There's more snow here than at Gunpowder. But the river's edge trail is difficult with snowshoes. It follows a rail bed, but there are many ties missing -- just an open hole. Also, the trail is narrow - sticker bushes on one side, on other side, a drop off. I give up on the snowshoes.

Instead, I put on my hiking boots and explore the park.

For several minutes, I amuse myself watching this flock of birds chirping in the trees, then one-by-one fly to a particular spot on the ground, wait til they all are there, and then whoosh! fly off as a pack.

They repeat this endlessly. I imagine it's take-off practice.

The black specks (right-side center) are the birds.

By the time I left the park, mid-afternoon, the sun was out. Temps were in the high 30s. I seriously miss spending all week-end outdoors. My daily morning routine since Christmas includes checking the weather forecast for the upcoming week-end, hoping for mid 30s.

Snowshoe!

2011-02-05T18:04:00.000-08:00

We have a fairly heavy snowfall mid-week. There seems to be enough snow on the ground to pull out my new toys: a set of MSR snowshoes.

I try them on, testing them walking on my deck. They're unwieldy, feeling clumsy. I'm not so sure about this but looking forward to giving them a try.

I head to a local park and strap them on. The learning curve is about: 10 steps !!! Snowshoeing is fun! Just like hiking, but you have to pick up your feet more. (Which is something I'll say to myself several times over the course of the week-end.) It's like walking on mermaid tails. If you don't pick up your feet enough, you'll trip yourself.

I end up spending two hours out on the trails. It's great exercise, quite exertional.

There were very few people out at the park; it was eerie.

Still Can't Get Outside Enough

2011-02-05T17:57:00.000-08:00

Two more week-ends in January have temps below freezing during the day (my threshold) and/or snow and rain. I'm getting antsy. I loved the calm, peaceful, relaxed state-of-mind I achieved by my week-ends outdoors, as well as the confidence and sense of self-sufficiency. I'm eager to get out; but stymied by the weather.

Fortunately, I get outside for some time during most every week-end. And 2-3 times a week, I escape for a walk at lunchtime. I'm getting some sunshine, but not enough.

Scouting Out a Trail

2011-02-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

I've been invited by a group to participate in their leadership training. I'll start leading hikes / outings in the spring. I plan to start with something I am very familiar with. I map out a route around the Savage Park area. Today, I plan to scout out my chosen route and see how it works.

And it's a good thing I've decided to do that.

The park is a mess. The county is doing sewer work. Much of the section were my selected trails wind through are now closed off and dug up. Heavy equipment has been moved in. Portions of the trail have been re-routed, onto paved paths. The only way to get a decent hike in is to do portions of 1-2 miles each, driving to get to each section. That's not going to work.

I'm going to have to cancel plans for my very first outing.

Morgan Run Environmental Area / Hike

2011-02-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Participating in a day-long course on camping meant that ... there was no time to actually go camping. So with a free morning on hand for the week-end, on the spur of the moment, I joined up with a group hiking at Morgan Run Environmental Area.

This is the group that hikes "for time" in my perception, covering ground as quickly as possible. But it was a new area for me, and I preferred to explore it with a group. Also, the hikes was billed at 7 miles, my longest to date. I was excited about the outing.

It was a brisk pace. Either I'm getting fitter, or using both trekking poles helped (or a combination of both ideas), but I was able to pretty much hang with the group. It was an exertion, but I didn't fare badly.

There is still snowfall on the ground. The trail wound back & forth through fields and delved into a wooded area, in some sections alongside a stream. There wasn't much elevation gain except for a climb out of the stream valley.

We stopped for a lunch break in the sun. Carrying my "10 Essentials" paid off, as I unwrapped my emergency blanket to use as a groundcloth.

It was a nice winter outing.

"Essential Camping Skills" Seminar & Outing

2011-02-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

January, 2011

So far in January, there are no opportunities for sleeping outdoors. The temps are in the 20s; I could handle that for the night as long as temps were above freezing in the daytime. I have a place picked out that is close, and has year-round camping; but I'm hampered by the weather. Besides the cold, it's been snowing or freezing rain on the week-ends. Luckily, there's usually been a window of some time available for daytime fun.

On this week-end, I participate in an all-day outing teaching the essentials of camping: how to choose a back-country campsite; where to set your tent in relation to streams, your "kitchen", etc.; how to use water treatment systems; a demonstration on cook stoves.

I had been busy at work, and didn't think this through. I knew it was all day; but I hadn't planned that we'd actually be hiking somewhere in order to set up camp. My own fault. In addition, I want some help understanding all the gidgets and gadgets on my tent; they suggest I bring it with me. So for the first time, I'm actually backpacking with a load. I have my non-waterproof trail running shoes on, rather than waterproof hiking shoes. Even so, I'm pleased - I did well physically. Though I was glad to get the pack off, I didn't feel overly burdened by it. I was able to keep up a decent pace.

The day was chilly and overcast, but hiking kept us warm. The two instructors were personable and very knowledgeable. My short, local forays into car camping paid off. I felt comfortable with the group, knew what they were talking about, and could assimilate more information than just the basics. I was prepared with very specific questions. I learned how to use a camp stove and have bought one since then!

I also learned more about the proper way to hang bear bags; emergency supplies to pack (just one example: dental floss for sewing repairs), and more specific tips on eating properly - especially for a good night's sleep!

"Winter Camping" Seminar

2011-02-05T17:11:00.000-08:00

Fresh on the heels of reading the "AMC Guide to Winter Hiking and Camping", I attend a seminar on the topic. This ends up being a wondrously fun hour. The instructor covers the basics of clothing, cooking supplies, and tent/sleeping gear.

But apparently, he spends more nights outdoors than indoors. I can't wait to learn where and how to do this. Hopefully, there are places closer to home than backpacking in the Shenandoah, at least a 4-hour drive away. But his method is far more adventurous than I care to be. He finds out-of-the-way spots, like farm fields and road clearances where he can just quickly pitch a tent, or even just "camp" in his car. He even uses his camp stove in his car.

Though he has lots of fun stories to share with us, it's just not practical for me.

"AMC Guide to Winter Hiking and Camping"

2011-02-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

I devour this book with energy. It's stuffed full of information I need to know - the essentials of staying safe, warm, and uninjured in harsh conditions. This knowledge is the difference between having fun outdoors in the winter vs survival. Everything from planning, getting to and from the adventure, eating and dressing properly, gear, tent and sleeping supplies ... The more I learn, the more aware I am of what can go wrong out in the cold. But the knowledge also gives me more confidence, and builds the enthusiasm to get outside - even in winter.

Orienteering! Transition to Intermediate

2011-02-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

Yaay! I'm thrilled about another orienteering event. I've become addicted to the sport. Although I don't spend any free time working on getting better.

This event was held at Wheaton Regional Park. The courses were described as good ones to try at the next level, so I went for the intermediate course.

My little dirty secret about orienteering is that I can get lost just going from the registration area to the "start". I always have to ask, getting confused by the map. It's a wonder that the event organizers let me go off alone - lol! If I can't even find the "start" on my own, how do I expect to make it successfully through the entire course???

By doing some research later, I learn that it's not unusual to be *disoriented* [ :) ] at the first few checkpoints. Warming up is recommended -- not just warming up your body physically, but also your brain. I need to build that into my travel plans when going to these events.

Once I get settled, I find the course easy. Until moving from checkpoint 4 to 5. I bushwhack; I mean, "go off trail". I felt confident in my compass skills and sighting landmarks. But once I got where I wanted to go, I wasn't sure that's where I was supposed to be. At that point, I was on a trail and I continued along it, trying to identify topographic features and figure out where I was on the map.

I wasn't having much luck; did not see anyone which convinced me I was way off course; got teary-eyed (another not-unusual occurrence for newbies); sat for a spell and made a plan. I determined I was on either one of two trails and heading south no matter which trail I was on would lead me to the parking area. So I proceeded that way. Within 50 feet, I encountered another orienteer, who showed me on the map where I was. I felt much better! and continued with the course.

At another section, I was in the right spot but had trouble understanding the clues as to where the checkpoint was. (It was well-hidden off-trail.) Someone helped me at that spot too. From there, for the remaining six checkpoints, I was fine on my own. Sometimes I stuck to trail options; but many times I also headed off-trail.

It was mentally challenging for me; but I loved it. I felt very satisfied that I had successfully accomplished that course.

Winter Solstice / Full Moon Hike

2011-02-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

This is the most memorable hike of the year; and likely will be a treasured memory for years to come.

I join a group for a hike celebrating the winter solstice; it's a full moon too. Luckily it's a clear night.

We start about 6:30pm and with ranger permission, head into Patapsco Valley State Park. At first, we're following a fairly easy single track trail. The course though turns more technical. In addition, there's still some snowfall on the path and lots of icy patches. It's fun, but slow-going. At some points, the leader and the front pack gets farther ahead, out of sight. It's a little scary as I would have no idea how to get back to where we started.

We follow and cross some small streams, helping each other on the icy rocks and patches. Wandering through the woods, we use our headlamps and flashlights. Later on though, we're in more open areas. We can turn off our lights and walk simply by the light of the moon.

Much of the hiking around PVSP leads you towards the ridge line. You climb up and cross over to descend into the valley along the river. Once along the river, the silhouette of the ridge line, and the tall pine trees is impressive and intimidating.

At one section, we cross the swinging bridge. I'm terrified of the bridge, and now I'm crossing it in darkness. Our guide wants to tell us about the effects of water currents and suggests we stop on the bridge for the view. I barely can do that. Everyone is helpful towards me. Later, we'll need to cross the bridge again to get back to where we started.

Another portion of the hike takes us on the Cascade Falls trail. We cross the stream, helping each other on the icy rocks again, admiring the frozen waterfall, and using our hands to clamber up the icy path on the other side.

The adventure is exciting, invigorating, and fun; but more difficult than I had expected. It was described as an "easy" hike, but it's a technical single-track trail, made more challenging by the darkness and icy conditions. It's a work day for me, so I'm tired after being at the office all day. I didn't eat enough, and my energy is lagging.

Another portion takes us along the river. We walk for a 1/2 mile or so completely by moonlight. We have no trouble seeing.

Overall, I found the experience immensely rewarding. Hiking at night, illuminated by the moon, and with snow on the ground, is incredibly beautiful.

"Hi!"

2011-02-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

Coming around a bend in the path on a day hike, I come across this friendly greeting.

Seneca Creek State Park / Hike

2011-02-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

December, 2010

Another new park to explore! I meet up with a favorite group for this hike. I enjoy exploring a new area, during the winter, at a comfortable pace. It's a pleasant day.

My fitness level is still improving. I feel good after this hike; it's relatively short due to it being scheduled in winter. So on the way home, I stop at a park and do another two miles. Feels good.

Winter Bike Ride on North Central Rail/Trail

2011-02-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

Decent winter weather ... two hour bike ride on the North Central rail/trail. Spotted a bright red cardinal during a water break.

Tracks !

2011-02-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

We had a light snowfall. Discovered "wildlife" tracks on my deck. I need to use my BOW skills (i.e. look it up in a book) and identify the source.

A Backyard Camping Experiment

2011-02-05T15:56:00.000-08:00

December, 2010

It's looking unlikely that I'll be able to camp anywhere during December. Weekends are full of fun, holiday stuff with family and friends.

One week-end is warmer than the others. It's raining. I remember how well I slept in the rain earlier in the season at Codorus. I decide to set up my tent on my patio and try it out for a nap. If it works well, I may spend the night outdoors on my deck. Kind of crazy ... but it will count towards my challenge.

It was a great learning experience! I don't know what I did wrong, but the tent leaked. Also, I had a tarp down but I guess it extended out, as I got puddles under my tent. The concrete patio was cold.

My experiment lasted about, maybe, 15 minutes. :)

"Women in the Woods" / New Gear

2011-02-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

December, 2010

I attend another seminar at REI; this one specific to women's needs. I learn a lot at this session. Even though I've been reading and scouring websites, I'm now more clearer on the proper kinds of clothes to wear. For instance, I really didn't know the difference or the need for light-, mid-, and heavy-weight underlayers. We talk about sleeping bags and pads, trekking poles, FUDs ("the girl pee-thing"). I learn the 10 Essentials, and since I'm out so often by myself, I vow to carry them with me at all times.

Once I have my variety of underlayers, I start using them at the office too. Being dressed properly for the outdoors makes it very easy to escape for a quick lunchtime walk.

I get properly fitted for a daypack - something large enough to carry the 10 Esssentials, extra winter clothing as needed, and food, along with the water bladder. The nicest part is that I have plenty of room to carry a thermos, full of hot chocolate, for my winter excursions.

Another Orienteering Outing

2011-02-05T15:42:00.000-08:00

December, 2010

I may not have the opportunity to sleep outdoors, but I'm still playing outdoors in the daytime.

Another orienteering event fits into my schedule. This one is at Great Falls, but on the Maryland side - the C&O Canal Historical Park. I take my bike with me too, intending to do a short bike ride on the canal since I'm driving that far to get there.

The day is gray, windy, and cold. It's one of those days where being outside is just-not-fun. I opt for sticking to the beginner course. Even so, I also stick to a route on the trails, rarely going off-trail even if it looks shorter. I don't want to take the risk of getting injured because my technique is off due to off-energy level. I'm getting in better shape, and my hiking speed is picking up though. So I finish in a decent time even with using the trails. But I don't feel beat up, which is good.

It's pretty windy, still gray and cold. I decide not to go for a bike ride and head home instead. Even though I spend more time driving back & forth than actually doing something.

I start thinking about my "sleeping outdoors" challenge. It is now becoming a proper challenge, but not for the reason I thought. I expected it o be difficult because it would be cold at night. But I've got my sleeping arrangements under control to stay warm through the night. The difficulty will be the daytime; it's becoming just too cold to stay outdoors all day. And the other challenge is the short days: I don't have the time or I'm too bored to stay in a tent for 14 hours.

My Streak is Broken

2011-02-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

December, 2010

After eight consecutive week-ends of at least one night spent outdoors, the streak comes to an end. Holiday events during the first week-end of December fill my schedule.

Always Check the Weather Forecast

2011-02-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

December, 2010

I have vacation days to burn before the end of the year. I plan an easy mountain bike ride at Susquehanna State Park, using the trail running along the river. I expect to be alone, as it is mid-week.

Something nudged me to double-check the weather before leaving the house. An alert was issued for the Susquehanna area. Due to all the rainfall, the dam was high. They may open the flood gates and let water out into the river. I cancel my plans.

If I had been riding along the edge ... unbeknownst to the threat ...

Another Outdoor Activity to Try ???

2011-02-05T15:16:00.000-08:00

Back to the real world, but still energized about my sleeping-outdoors-as-long-as-possible challenge ...

During the week, I attend a lecture on "Snowshoe Basics" at REI. Okay, another outdoor activity I want to try. Snowshoes make hiking in (or rather, "on") the snow much easier. I dream of more outdoor excursions, not hampered by snowfall. Why didn't I have these last year? - when I was stuck indoors by the blizzards and the weeks of lingering snow.

It sounds like snowshoes are a more easily-acquired skill than cross-country skiing. I tried x-skiing years ago in my previous lifetime ... making several trips out to western Maryland. I was really lousy at it though. I remember one time I was x-skiing on the flat North Central rail/trail, and regular people out for a hike were passing me. It didn't quite make sense to continue skiing as an activity if walking was faster ....

Natural Beauty of Cape Henlopen / Camping #9

2011-02-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

It's Thanksgiving week-end. I do all the "family" stuff on Thursday. And head to Delaware to Cape Henlopen for a luxurious 3 days / 2 nights trip. Not only do I get to explore a new camping area, but I love going to the ocean in the wintertime; I'm looking forward to side trips to Rehoboth and Lewes. Maybe more. But I've learned not to plan or expect too much; often times I just want R&R.

I arrive fairly early; no problem arriving too early -- very few people are there. On Friday night, there'll be a handful of other camping groups: some folks who camp to be close to the outlet shopping on "Black Friday", an RV couple and a tent couple who both enjoy "winter" camping, and a party-group arrives later that evening.

My holiday home - what a glorious camp site!

I'm struck by the natural, rugged beauty of Cape Henlopen and the campground at the state park. It's nothing like other areas along the ocean, like Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Bethany, or Ocean City.

Along the coast:

The day is cloudy, very breezy even for the ocean. It feels "cold". I explore the beach area and drive around the park to familiarize myself with my surroundings.

In the afternoon, I drive down the road a few miles and explore Lewes. It's a small town, sort of touristy but fun window-shopping. Special treats are an Italian market deli/bakery/shop; and some very appealing small cafes. I have a nice, late lunch and buy goodies at the market for breakfast and snacking.

The days are very short now. It's solidly dark by 5:45pm. I don't mind an early evening inside the tent, as I'm usually so exhausted by the weekend, I appreciate the opportunity to do nothing but sleep. I don't sleep very well though the first night. The wind is gusty and the sounds of the tent flapping and the wind through the pine trees keeps me in a light sleep.

On top of that, there's a large group a few sites down. They're not drunk, loud, or obnoxious. But they come & go, like every hour. I don't know where they're going. Sometimes they are going to the bathhouse, and to do so they have to walk right by my campsite. So the sounds of starting a car, driving in and out of the camp area several times throughout the night, or laughing on their way to the restrooms keeps me awake.

I'm definitely within "whistle distance" of help if they cause any trouble. Though the pictures don't show it, I've chosen a site that is actually right across from the camp host. I'm alone, but someone is near by.

The campground:

Saturday
I'm awake before sunrise. The moon is still strong, but it's cold. I think it's in the 20s. I should buy a small thermometer. I use my blackberry to check weather dot com. I'm set on seeing the sun rise over the ocean, so I bundle up and drive to a parking spot close to the beach.

The day is bright and clear, but windy and cold. It's not too much fun getting hot water going, even with my little Esbit stove. I didn't even think to use a tarp to block the wind ... I do have success with coffee and warming up food for breakfast; and I enjoy some of the treats I bought at the Italian market.

I decide to explore some hiking trails at the park; the activity will be refreshing and keep me warm. On the "nature trail", which should be the easiest of all, I get confused. Luckily, I encounter another camper. I can't tell if I'm going in the right direction or re-doing a portion I've done before. It's all pine trees, scrub, and sand dunes with pine needles. If you've seen one sand dune .... But they point me back to the nature center. I hike longer than I had planned, but I'm warm. And the park is very pretty.

After the hike, the day is warmer and the wind is subsiding. I decide to get my bike out and try for a bike ride. I haven't ridden in ... months .... years ? .... It takes me awhile to get my gear organized. Ready to take off, I realize my back tire is flat. It's a new tire. I just pump it with air, hoping that somehow it just deflated and doesn't need replacing.

I head down the highway to Lewes, and stop at a bike shop. I have them check the tire and they put more air into both. I do some window-shopping at the shop.

Leaving the bike shop, I walk over the canal bridge. I turn down a road heading to the Rehoboth bike trail, and my front tire blows out. I'm really not happy at this point. In my annoyance, I attribute the blow out to the bike shop person putting too much air in my tires.

I don't want to ruin the rims so I carry my bike back to the bike shop. My bike is not light. It's mid-afternoon and the breeze is picking up again.

The bike shop repairs my tire because I'm too cold and tired to do it myself, but it costs me $25. I give up on the idea of biking to Rehoboth today and head back up the highway to the state park and my campground. All is well; the bike is working fine. I decide to explore the bike trails around the park and end up having a delightful ride.

Late afternoon, I freshen up and drive my car into Lewes again. I have a wonderful dinner at a Mediterranean-style cafe, including oyster stew and homemade Spanish hot chocolate which ends up being like a hot rich chocolate mousse.

I get back to the campsite and it's solidly dark. And cold. But the dinner warms me; I snuggle into my sleeping bag by 7:00pm. A car goes by about 10:00pm; I assume it's the park ranger checking out the place; and that's all I hear all night. There's only one RVcouple and the camp host on site. I sleep for a total of 10 hours; the best sleep I've had in years. I want to somehow take sand dunes covered with pine needles back home with me, so I can sleep like that every night.

Sunday
I'm definitely rested but it's too cold to get started on any outdoor fun. So I gather up my personal care items, head to the bathhouse, spread out my supplies and have some girly time: facial masque, moisturizing, paint my toe nails, etc. I feel indulgent.

The day turns out to be a bit warmer and less windy. I pack up and move my car to a general parking area. I spend the morning/afternoon biking on the trail to Rehoboth. It's wonderful! The trail goes through woodland, along marshy areas and farm fields, and skirts behind the shopping centers and highway. It is the best way to get to Rehoboth.

I keep my holiday tradition of Thrasher's french fries on the boardwalk at Rehoboth overlooking the ocean. :)

After biking back to Cape Henlopen, I drive home and promise to repeat the trip next Thanksgiving.

Got My Courage Together & Tried Orienteering

2011-02-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

Back at the DNR program on "Becoming an Outdoors Woman", I really enjoyed the game we played to learn how to use a compass. The instructor had suggested trying an Orienteering event.

As described on the Quantico Orienteering Club website:
Orienteering is the sport of navigating with map and compass. The object is to find a series of points shown on a map, choosing routes — both on and off trail — that will help you find all the points and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time. The points on the course are marked with orange and white flags accompanied by electronic or mechanical punches, which provide proof that the point was visited. Each “control” marker is located on a distinct feature, such as a stream junction or the top of a hill.

Orienteering is often called the “thinking sport” because it involves map reading and decision-making in addition to providing a great workout.

http://qocweb.org/

This was my first opportunity to try it. I did a lot of reading on the website, then met with one of the organizers who gave me more tips. Many people do these events "for time", competing against others to see who can complete the course the fastest. I just wanted to complete the course. Alive. And unhurt.

I'm glad my first event was at a park that I was familiar with. I felt comfortable using a compass, and knew I could give up and find my way back to the parking area.

It was a bit challenging to get started. But luckily there were a few others who started at the same time as me, so I kind of tagged along and listened to what they were saying. After two or three checkpoints, I felt comfortable with my ability to read the special map and figure out the clues as to the checkpoints. I went off on my own and had a grand time! The very last checkpoint was off-trail and I was a bit confused on the direction of travel. But I have no qualms asking for help at this stage. I finished the course, well within the alloted time, and learned later on that I wasn't even last! I ended up loving the challenge, invigorated by the problem-solving and decision-making. I can't wait to go again!

A portion of a typical orienteering map:

Still Not Sure of the Wisdom of This ... But I Did It & It Was a Glorious Evening / Camping #8

2011-02-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

It's now mid-November. I'm committed to continuing the challenge of sleeping outdoors every week-end, but there are man-made obstacles. Open campgrounds are scarce, particularly ones within a short drive from home. I'm not ready for backpacking, especially this late in the year. I start researching private campgrounds and send numerous emails trying to find a tent campground that is still open. The issue with many sites is that they want to provide showers and bathroom facilities. Most are not designed with heat. Therefore, they have to close them and winterize them or the pipes will burst. I don't actually need water/heat facilities, but am stuck.

I find a private campground in Pennsylvania, within a 2-hour drive. From the website and email correspondence, I have no idea what it's like. I can't find reviews or any mentions of it on other websites. But off I go. I'm familiar with the local area, so I'm content with the drive. And it's close enough that if things don't work out right, I can .... just drive home!

Off the main road, I turn down what looks to be a state park undeveloped road. Surrounded by forest, I go downhill for maybe a mile or two. So far, so good. Definitely getting away from civilization. But then I turn a bend, and spread out before it is something that looks like a dumpsite for RVs. There's a huge field of old, dilapidated RVs one next to another.

This is not looking good .... But the road is narrow and winding. I can't turn around. I have to follow it to the end, where I plan to then turn around. Continuing downhill, I see an area off to the side that looks like tent sites. I finally make it down into the campground area and it's huge. From what I can see from the road, there is very wooded tent area, maybe enough for 30 sites. Then a bathhouse and large field - the size of several baseball diamonds. Then an open swath of land for a power line cut, and a few rows of the junk RVs. Beyond that are several "streets" of permanent RV spots. At the farthest end is the office and campstore, a pond and picnic tables, a kids play area, a pool (closed for the season), the owners' house, barn, and assorted other materials of a busy, outdoor life. The place is huge.

I'm a bit unsure, but decide to go into the office and explore a little. The woman managing the place is just the sweetest person. She seems a bit surprised (like so many others before her) that I'm camping alone. But she warms to the idea and is thrilled. She loves to camp and hike solo, but haven't met many other women who also enjoy outdoors stuff alone.

She re-assures me about the tent camp area so I decide to give it a try. And I'm so glad I did.

I had the entire tent area to myself. The sites were a good 1/4 mile away from the rest of all that RV stuff. The campground was surrounded by state preserve land - all forest. I felt I was as back-country as being at Greenridge State Forest. I've been kind of assessing my comfort level and like to be within "whistle distance" of help. I was NOT in "whistle distance" of anyone.

Since the days are now so short, and I arrived rather late in the afternoon, I hustled to get my tent up. I had packed food that was simple to warm on my Esbit stove, rather than having to get a fire up and going, and maintaining it. I felt a little uneasy being so isolated in a forest that I didn't know well at all. I had no idea of opportunities for human or animal wildlife. I crawled into the tent early, did some reading, and fell asleep.

At some point, I was woken by what I thought was a headlamp aimed squarely at my tent. I grabbed my glasses, whistle, keys, and phone -- ready to make noise, scream, or try to get away. I unzipped my tent and the bright light was ... a brilliant full moon.

I don't know why I didn't take any pictures, but it was one of the most incredibly beautiful sights of all my camping trips. Surrounded by tall, tall pines. Their shapes silhouetted in the moonlight. The bright moon practically lighting my campsite. Hundreds of stars twinkling in the clear sky.

Then I saw a shooting star! The night was cold, below freezing. But I tried to stay outside as long as possible, mesmerized by the night time beauty.

Now, not only is my goal to stay outdoors as much as possible, but I really want to make sure I'm camping when there is a full moon.

The next day started cloudy and cold. I had somewhere else to go for the day, so I packed up early. But before leaving, I explored the tent area. The site I selected was a few feet off the main tent loop. But there are two other sites, down deep in the woods. Several hundred feet off the main loop. In fact, one site I don't think I can get my car too. I'd love to go back there, but I need to find out what the human creature behavior is like at that campground before I go that isolated.

Saying good-bye to the owners and the nice lady I met the day before, the owner showed me three other sites, in a completely different area of the grounds. One was likely 1/4 mile walk from the office; can't get my car there. I'm eager to try that one!

"Let's Get Primitive - The Urban Girl's Guide to Camping" by Heather Menicucci

2011-02-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks, I've been enjoying this gem of a book. Written by "a writer and filmmaker turned outdoor aficionado", it is described as "the definitive camping manual for urban gals who appreciate sidewalks and all-night sushi bars ... an invitation to embrace your inner mountain mama and follow the call of the wild."

Gloriously fun reading material; yet incredibly useful tips and wisdom for a city girl taking the first tentative steps outdoors. I find that I have modified my equipment list, increased my enjoyment of camping with awareness of different viewpoints, and gained even more confidence. And, uh, bought a string of tiny Christmas lights to glam up my tent. She has a section on "Glamping", i.e. "Glam + Camping". The icing on the cake is that she writes in an energetic, funny, and totally positive style.

If she can do it -- I can do it. And if I can do it -- you can do it.

DeMystifying "Honey, I'm Going Camping With the Guys"

2011-02-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Here's what really happens when a guy says to his female Significant Other: "Honey, I think I'll go camping with the guys this week-end."

He thinks he's impressing the female with his talk of manly, hunter-type behavior.

She, on the other hand, is thinking: "Yaay! a week-end to myself !". She asks him: "What time are you leaving?" sounding concerned and worried over his high adventure, but secretly planning how much time she'll have for a luxurious bubble bath, maybe a facial masque, just lie in the tub with a glass of wine, candles, and a good book.

But even with that, there's the mystique of the alpha males out there in the wilderness, roughing it, encountering wild animals, chopping wood, bushwhacking over hill & dale to get to a good site, being all primitive and such.

Here's the real story:

The guys load up the truck with supplies (keep reading to find out what those are)

Just like me, they pay the park fee and drive right into their campsite. No bushwhacking necessary!

Next comes unpacking and setting up the tents - yes, plural. I have yet to see a group of guys car camping who don't come with more than one tent. And these typically aren't the 1, 2, or 3-person backpacking tents. These are the big monstrosities you can find at Cabela's -- room to stand in; maybe even "room" dividers; vestibules or porches; etc. Maybe the guys have also brought one of those screened in porch-type shelters. Roughing it? - uhhh, no.

Next, start the campfire. Guys don't want a campfire that will just boil water, or one that lasts just long enough to cook dinner. They want a big, manly, see-for-miles campfire. One that left unattended could burn down the entire campground.

Next, set up the camp chairs. The ones with the pocket where you can put a beer can.

Dinner time!

1) Pull out the pizza or steak subs they've bought along the way to the park.

2) Pop open the beer tab.

3) Partake!

For the remainder of the "camping" experience: Sit around the fire all night, drinking, talking, playing cards -- whatever guys do in the dark.

Fall asleep around 2:00ish.

Wake about 8:00am. Tear down camp. Go home.

The "go home" trip, I am certain, involves a bar, beer, and a burger. And probably a football game.

Camping is just an outdoor man-cave; a place to get away from the family and bond with each other. There isn't a primitive aspect to it at all.

Gun Shots Can Really Ruin Your Nap

2011-02-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

Still enjoying my extended 3-day week-end at Elk River .... On days when I'm really lazy at camp, I love waking up to the sunrise, enjoying a cup of hot coffee, taking an easy hike. Followed by eating breakfast, reading & journaling, doing camp chores. And then ... crawling back into my sleeping bag for a short morning nap.

I had just got settled in when rifle shots went off. Really loud. Sounded sooo near by. Apparently the park is surrounded by forest and it's hunting season. The sporadic shots, not quite as close as they seem, go on for about a 1/2 hour.

Whimsy!

2011-02-05T11:41:00.001-08:00

Family and friends are starting to get involved with my adventures. On a day-trip to Roots (an Amish market and auction near Lancaster, Pennsylvania), family members helped me load up with camping goodies. These were in addition to a long list of supplies I just recently purchased at the REI grand opening.

Wandering through the "flea market" area, we saw a table full of these solar-powered gadgets: leaves fluttering in the breeze, flowers nodding their heads ... so silly and goofy, I had to have one.

Well, newbie at blogging too. Can't get video to upload. But here's a photo minus the bobbing and fluttering:

Also irresistible: a campsite welcome flag and pole to make my site more home-y and inviting.

Other goodies I scored on the shopping trip included a woven rug to use as an entrance mat, a huge fleece quilt, and tiny tupperware containers. NONE of these items are essential, but fun.

My First Wildlife Encounter!

2011-02-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

I spent much lazy time on my 3-day week-end at Elk Neck State Park; Saturday morning, reading and journaling while the sun rose higher in the sky. There were a lot of raptors flying around, cawing. But I didn't pay any mind to them.

Eventually, I wandered over to the shower house to clean up. When I returned to the site, there was evidence that I had an intruder! my bag of granola was torn, and what was left of it was scattered around the picnic table.

Cleaning up, I saw scat left behind from the perpetrators. Once I got home, I checked my field guides and am pretty certain that my visitors were a buzzard and a goose. It's amazing that they hovered around and waited until I left the site, then dove in for the goodies.

The utensils are placed here only to indicate relative size.

My $54 Cup of Coffee

2011-02-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

There are a few key issues to deal with when camping. Such as: "What about my morning coffee???"

You have two solutions: crawl out of your tent, into the cold morning air, in desperate need of caffeine ... and start a campfire. (Or a camp stove. But I don't have one of those. Simply because I don't know how to use them and I have a [likely irrational] fear of carrying around fuel canisters.)

A note on camp fires: They're not easy: They're not easy to get started. They're not easy to keep going, at least long and strong enough to cook with. It can be 15-30 minutes before caffeine starts coursing through my veins. That's not a good way to start a day outdoors.

So, during my research on heat and cooking, I learned about this nifty Esbit stove, developed around the time of World War II and used by the military. All it is is a tiny metal contraption that holds a solid fuel cube. You put your pot on this little device, and voila, in 8 minutes (or thereabouts), you have boiling water.

Since it's a tiny little baby, I needed to make sure I had a pot (with a lid) that would fit securely on it. When my eyes fell upon this gorgeous titanium pot, I couldn't look at any other. Into my shopping cart it went.

So, here I am, sun rising directly in front of me (friggin' blinding me as I write), with a cup of hot coffee, made in 10 minutes. Happy Camper moment!

Note: And of course with car camping, you can indulge in bringing along luxury items. Like heavy cream for that great cup of coffee.

The Greatest Invention Ever !!!

2011-02-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

The FUD ("Female Urinary Device"). I just call it "the girl pee-thing"

A masterful solution to one of women's key questions about hiking, biking, and camping: "Where and How do I pee???"

It's been many years since I've spent much time in the woods. A lot has changed. Not just technology, but cultural norms. I must've been a bit of a rebel all those years mountain biking with the guys, but I had no issue with going off trail, dropping my shorts, and doing what I needed to do. Which just about horrified all my non-mountain biking friends.

But at night, camping, in a tent, colder temps -- having to get out of the tent, find privacy, undress a bit, and squat over who-knows-what becomes not. fun. At all.

In fact, my very first grand adventure in the woods, back in my 20s, was backpacking a portion of the Appalachian trail with an all-woman's group. I'm sure it was an incredible experience. But I only have two memories etched in my brain:
1) sitting around the campfire way into the night, talking, and drinking tea
2) waking in the middle of the night, having to pee. But the weather has turned bad for September and it had snowed. Once I got out of my tent, I got so cold and couldn't get any body heat going again. I shivered in my tent for the rest of the night. All I can remember is how cold I was. All because I had to pee.

Times, and technology, have changed. Now there is the Freshette! Glory be - I can pee anywhere, anytime - standing, squatting, kneeling. It is revolutionizing my whole outdoor experience. You just tuck it into place, hold on, point, and shoot.

Okay, I do have to admit that there is something just *wrong* about the whole design, though. It is really disconcerting holding a peen-type contraption with your hands. But I'm certainly enjoying aiming! ;)

Scenic Site on the Elk River / Camping #7

2011-02-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

This will be my 6th consecutive camping outing; and 6th out of 8 weeks. I'm enjoying the challenge of sleeping outdoors as the weather gets cooler. But more importantly, I'm enjoying the effects that being out in nature is having on me. I'm more relaxed. Life is more peaceful and serene. I feel good being physically active throughout the day. And I like the confidence I'm gaining from being self-sufficient, even if it's as simple as cooking a meal over a campfire while I'm shivering.

I was fortunate to an opportunity for a three-day week-end. By now, campgrounds were starting to close for the season. The ones that were open, were only open on week-ends. I couldn't reserve a site; all were walk-in, first-come, first-served.

I've never heard of Elk Neck SP being described as a prime camping spot. From what I've experienced so far, it can be noisy and crowded. But certain sites provide stunningly beautiful views. I strategized that if I arrived early enough on a Friday, maybe I could score a really good site. And that's how it worked out! I got the site I wanted.

It's not a huge site, but it does offer privacy from adjacent campsites. The best feature is that it offers a panoramic view of the river. So, while at my tent site, turning my head side-to-side, all I see are trees covered with golden foliage, the sparkling blue river below, the cloudless blue sky, and off in the distance the landscape of the western and upper edge of the Eastern Shore -- capped off with two mornings of sun rise. I can just imagine our ancestors and the native Americans sitting in this very same spot, relaxing in the view, and wondering what's on the other side of the river.

Hike: The Magnificent Splendor of Great Falls

2011-02-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

Another healthy dose of serendipitous trail magic! My planning for the week-end had amounted to minimal preparation for hiking Old Rag and a reservation at Lake Fairfax campground. That was about it.

On Sunday morning, I indulged in my favorite camping activity: slowly drinking hot coffee, watching the sun rise, and journaling. Then I pulled out my hiking books to plan something for the day and learned I was about three miles from Great Falls, Virginia. I could not believe my good fortune! I quickly packed up my campsite and headed to the park. This was my first trip there; though I recall that I may have gone a long, long time ago - nothing looked familiar.

The Virginia side of Great Falls is incredibly scenic. The park has a wonderfully instructive center with displays. The overlooks are man-made platforms.

There are numerous trails to take. I started out on one that winded along the ridge. Wooziness over the steep edges eventually led me to taking "safer", less strenuous trails and I spent the day wandering throughout the park. Perfectly pleasant.

In the Heart of Fairfax / Camping #6

2011-02-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

While planning my trip to Old Rag, Shenandoah Mountains, I was excited about an opportunity to try out a new campground, and at the same time reduce the amount of driving I did in one day.

Before meeting up with the group I planned to hike with, I really had no idea of exactly where Old Rag is. [Note to self: I really need to be more familiar with where I'm going before I just get in the car and drive off.] So I looked for campgrounds anywhere west of D.C. and selected Lake Fairfax park.

I don't know if this counts as trail magic, but on my multi-hour drive out to the Shenandoah, I saw a Whole Foods store off I-66 and made a mental note to its exit, in case it worked out that I could stop there for supplies, dinner, etc. on the way back. It ended up that the highway exit to Lake Fairfax Park was the exact same exit where Whole Foods was located !!! I had not eaten enough from my aborted attempt on Old Rag; it was a much longer drive to the campground than I expected; I was tired -- so the thought of having dinner at Whole Foods had me thrilled.

Then I exited the highway.

Fairfax must be the most congested and confusing shopping area I've ever come across. I drove around in loops and circles, completely disoriented. Getting into, and then out of, the shopping area took 45 minutes. At one point, I thought I'd need to stop and pull out my compass to find my way out. Luckily, dinner at Whole Foods was great; it was the best Whole Foods store I've ever been to. And I've been to several.

By then, dusk was approaching. I still had a bit of a drive to get to the campground. Much to my surprise, the campground is in a residential area - surprise! The park is more of a Parks & Rec facility, rather than a state or national park. I was surprised that there would be campsites.

The campground was rather open - not much "nature". Luckily, I scored a site on the lake; adjacent sites, though there was no buffer, weren't right on top of me. I quickly set up; was unsuccessful with starting a campfire but was too tired to care; and settled in my tent as soon as I could to get some rest.

The days are getting very short; the evening and morning air is crisp; learning what it's like to transition to camping in the late fall.

Hike: DNF on Old Rag Mountain

2011-02-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

November, 2010

The big adventure planned for the week-end was my first hike up Old Rag Mountain, in the Shenandoah Mountains. It's a classic hike, tough but rewarding.

I went with a local group as part of training to be a leader with the group. I felt some trepidation over doing the hike; at 8 miles and strenuous terrain, it seemed a bit over my head. I didn't feel ready for it; but yet, I didn't want to admit that I wasn't ready for it. So I went for it.

The weather was beautiful, cool and clear. The downside was that I traveled to a metro station west of D.C. to meet the group. Over an hour of fast, focused driving. At the station, we spent about a half-hour going over details. Then we headed off to a town closer to the mountains. Most people were familiar with the area; the directions I was given left off two details that people familiar with the area would've caught and adjusted for. The two turns I took or didn't take put me behind the group about 1/2 hour or more. Arriving at the trailhead, the parking lot was full -- dozens and dozens of hikers lined up at the ranger station. Moving to a different parking area, quickly assembling my gear, and walking to the trailhead, put us even further behind schedule. It was 10:30 and I had not eaten since about 5:00am when I left my house.

To make up time, the leader suggested we eat as we hike and we'd break for lunch at the summit. As a newbie, this made sense for me. I didn't take into account though that due to my regular activity levels and work schedule, I usually have a snack about 9:00am and then a solid lunch by 11:30. My body, and brain, was expecting that food.

The start up Old Rag was a fantastic hike. It was strenuous, rocky and rooted, but beautiful. I enjoyed the group I was with. Most of the group were fast, but another hiker, the group's "sweep", and myself lagged behind. The trail was a bit too tough for me to eat and hike at the same time. The other "slower" hiker kept apologizing for needing to stop; I was thankful as it gave me time to grab a mouthful of trail mix. But that wasn't sufficient; my energy level tapered off the higher we climbed.

The last mile to the summit of Old Rag is a rock climb, exposed, and narrow. That's what I've been told. Hikers help each other over boulders and through crevices. The rocky, narrow section began at the same time my energy supply ran out. A combination of plunging blood sugar levels, doubt on my ability to do the section and get to the summit, wooziness over the steep sides off the trail, and the view way-down-below ... I sat down on a rock. And knew I wasn't going any further.

Somehow I teetered back down the 20 feet or so from the edge. I took a break at a nice overlook, realizing the hike was worth it just to get to this point. I ate, drank, and listened to stories from other people who also turned back. The hike back down was no piece of cake; going downhill on difficult terrain is not easy. It probably took me almost as long to go down as it did to go up. Along the way, I shared the downhill with other people who turned around too, whether from fatigue, fear of the heights, overcrowding at the summit, or injury. It was a pleasant hike down.

There have been very few instances in my life that I wasn't able to complete a physical challenge I set out to do. But I didn't feel bad about my DNF. I was comfortable knowing I made the right decision for myself. And the hike just to that overlook was worth the trip.

If You Paid Attention to What Was Around You, You Wouldn't Be Thinking Someone Was Trying to Get into Your Tent

2011-01-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Musings on Noise #5

Related to "Reading the Woods" -
When you arrive at your campsite, you should take a few minutes to observe your environment and figure out how things got there. For example, some clues to notice:
-- an amazing overabundance of twigs and small branches that have fallen to the ground
-- the ground is carpeted with leaves (along with those twigs and branches mentioned above)
-- when leaves fall to the ground - in a few days - they die. Dead leaves are noisy leaves

Some other useful things about nature to remember:
-- Branches don't fall to the ground just during the daylight hours of, say 9-5. They fall to the ground All. The. Time. Including during the middle of the night.
-- Leaves fall from the trees all during the night too.
-- If the weather forecast calls for a front to come through, that means a breeze. A breeze that will blow dead (aka noisy) leaves around.

Knowing all that -
When you hear strange unknown noises during the night, likely your campsite is not being invaded by a small army of unknown animals/creatures. The logical assessment is that the noise is dead leaves skittering across the gravel tent pad; the snapping sound is a branch breaking and falling; the "thud" on your tent are leaves and twigs; and no one is trying to get into your tent -- that's the wind rustling the tent fly.

Just Too Exhausted to Care

2011-01-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

Musings on Noise #4

This is how you know you are friggin' exhaused and/or just on the edge of falling asleep:

You hear a Noise.

The other 22 hours of the day, your reaction is: WHAT WAS THAT ???

The remaining 2 hours -- when you are begging for sleep -- your reaction is: i. just. don't. care.

Do I Really Need Pots & Pans in my Tent??

2011-01-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

Musings on Noise #3

Reading last night, I studied a chapter on what to do if you're in your tent and a bear enters your campsite.

Handy Tip: Do not read about bears at bedtime while solo in the woods.

Anyway - the guidance is to make a lot of noise. Such as: bang pots and pans. As I'm reading this, I realize all my pots and pans are ... home ... in my kitchen .. about 30 miles away. Uh-oh. But wait a minute, do I really want pots & pans in my tent ??? What about the other chapter that says not to put food-related items in your tent so that you don't have food odors in your tent???

I need to learn more about this whole bear / odor / food situation ...

***********************

OK, but say I do need to have noise-generating stuff in my tent. (Is a whistle sufficient?) Then, thank goodness that I have a 3-person tent, as it's starting to get a bit crowded in here.

Besides "me" in my tent, there's:
-- the sleeping bag / quilt / 2 pillows / air pad
-- books /Kindle / journal / glitter pens to write with
-- assortment of flashlights / lantern / headlamp
-- improvised 'pee-during-the-night' supplies
-- essentials of blackberry / keys / glasses / whistle
-- water, in case of I don't know what
-- clothes I've taken off
-- clothes I may want to put on
-- my whimsical mini LED tea-lights [for ambiance, of course!].
Just think if I add pots & pans to that!

Musing on Noise, #2: People

2011-01-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

At BOW, I took a course called "Reading the Woods", where you observe everything around you in a particular spot to assess what is going on or what has happened. It carries over to human behavior as well.

From just a few nights out camping solo in the woods, I have assessed that if you hear -- at 2:00am -- faint, muffled human shouts, it means either:
1) They are drunk
or
2) There is a problem
or
3) They are drunk and they have caused a problem.
(For an example, you can read my post about the idiots who knocked over their lit lantern, and set their tent on fire.)

I have modified my campsite/sleeping behavior to adjust for that. For instance, the easy-out end of my tent now faces my car, so I can make a quick dash if I need to.

And in my tent, in order of closest accessibility, are:
-- my glasses
-- car keys
-- whistle
-- headlamp & flashlight
-- cellphone

WHAT WAS THAT ?!?!?!?!

2011-01-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

So ... I've recently returned from three days of outdoor skills training. And what I've learned from camping this past week-end is that the instruction I really need is: "If You Hear This Noise in the Woods, It Means ___________."

Unbelievably, this past week-end was only the second time I actually heard "animal" noises at night. (The first time being at Codorus State Park, when a bird screeched so loudly I was convinced that it was a giant dinosaur pterodactyl 10 feet tall, sitting right in my campsite. I doubt if that was the case, but that's what it sounded like.)

So, I've composed a few musings on noises based on my experiences this late October week-end.

#1
After dark, but fairly early in the night, for several minutes, I kept hearing a "thud" sound. I thought maybe campers were walking through the woods, in search of firewood. But there were no campers in that direction. (And wouldn't I hear leaves crunching if people were walking through the woods??) THEN, I heard: "thud [pause] thud [pause] thud, thud [pause], snort!". WTF???

I unzipped my tent and peered out with my headlamp. Of course, with the sound of the unzipping and then the bright flashlight, any creature in its right mind would not make itself known. I didn't see anything. Fortunately, though, subsequent noises indicated that the "creature" ambled away from my tent.

To this day, I have no idea what it was.

My Quest to Sleep Outdoors As Long As Possible / Camping #5: Elk Neck

2011-01-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

October, 2010

The week-end after BOW, I was full of motivation and eagerness to see how long I could continue camping/sleeping outdoors, as the cold weather moved in. I headed to Elk Neck SP, as I had a lot to do over the week-end and that park is close.

On the way in, I stopped in the tiny little town of North East to browse through antique stores, bought a beautiful hand-embellished bedspread, and fueled up with fresh coffee and homemade chocolate. Yes, this camping business is not exactly roughing it.

Early Saturday afternoon, the weather was delightful! Sunny. A bit cool, but warm enough if you stayed active. And breezy. The forest floor was carpeted with colorful autumn leaves. Very few folks at the campground (yaay!). They seemed to be more experienced and more mindful of the whole get-back-to-nature concept, and therefore, more quiet. (double yaay!)

My site was one of the few that aren't on the water, yet has a good deal of privacy. There are no sites on either side, and the back faces the woods -- with no site behind me. So, sitting at my tent, in the shelter of the vestibule, I see nothing but autumn woods. Very nice. (triple yaay!)

Some Good Learning Experiences

1) Lousy Packing
As the afternoon drew on, and it got chillier & windier, I realized a packing list is only as good as what you have on it. I learned that I've left a few essentials off, such as: Water. A coat. Towel for the shower. Luckily, none of this caused an emergency situation, because ... my car is right there. I can always Get.In.My.Car. And in worst case scenarios, I can always Just.Go.Home. :)

2) Finally - Night Time Noises
This was the first time I heard an abundance of nature noises during the night. Kept me awake, both from the amount of noise as well as the nervousness over it. [More about this in later posts.] But, likely it was only the wind rustling the leaves, twigs falling, and dead leaves skittering across the gravel tent pad.

3) Camp Fire
Someone had been at the site the day I arrived. They had not completely doused their campfire. When I arrived, there were some tendrils of smoke, and glimpses of red embers. I was able to get a fire going just from that !! I was pretty pleased with myself - lol!

4) Powers of Observation
Every outing I realize how lousy my powers of observation are. I just don't notice the details. On Sunday, while packing up, I noticed these tidbits. What are they?? How long were they there?? Where they there Saturday when I set up?? It's a shame that I don't really know - they could've been. And if they weren't there when I set up, how and when did they get there?

What I Did While I Was There
Ha! Practically nothing. I succumbed to the draw of R&R that comes over me each visit to this park. I did try working on some BOW skills, like tree identification. [More on that in a later post.] But the cold and wind, coupled with my lack of success, ended that idea.

Post-BOW / Shaping My Nature Experience

2010-12-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

All of my experiences at the MD DNR "Becoming An Outdoors Woman" added more dimensions to my appreciation of and self-renewal through nature. Now I have more ways to see more deeply what is going on around me. From exploring the natural history of the area, to the names of the trees, to the life around me -- whether critters, bugs, birds, fish, insects, plants, flowers, and on. Most of my time outdoors is spent being active; I don't intend to change that. But what I've learned at BOW will give me tools for some fun projects during my downtime outdoors in a campsite.

I started on the this journey with the simple goal of improving my fitness to go hiking in the Rockies. Early on, I re-discovered the peacefulness and spirituality of being in Nature.

Since then, I'm discovering the joy, fun, and simplicity of living a nice portion of my life outdoors. And a deeper and broader knowledge of the natural world around me.

The "game" is still on though! Now that I've slept somewhat-outdoors in temps in the 30s, the challenge is on: How long can I go sleeping outdoors?

Sunrise at the Camp @ DNR's "BOW" program

2010-10-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

Moonlight at the Camp @ DNR's "BOW" program

2010-10-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Full moon!

DNR: "Becoming An Outdoors Woman" / Reading the Woods

2010-10-28T17:31:00.005-07:00

Just by coincidence, this was the last session of my stay. And it pretty much summed up and used all the other courses I had taken.

We spend the half-day in the woods, observing different things - plants, animal trails & habitat, invasive species, the effects of human behavior -- and talking about its purpose and how it got there and what it indicated about what was goingon.

The session started out with a fun game that highlighted my *dismal* powers of observation. We didn't know it, but on the first part of our trek, our instructor had placed pipecleaners. Colorful ones. And they weren't hidden. They were in plain view. The first time down the path, one person found one. No one else noticed any. :(

The instructor told us about the game, and we headed back the way we came. With the goal of this time actually finding the pipecleaners. I think I saw 6.

Regrouping, the instructor told us there was more than 10. And taught us how to observe better. This time through the path, I found 13. I think overall, there was 16. Fun & enlightening game.

DNR: "Becoming An Outdoors Woman" / Twig Detective

2010-10-28T17:31:00.003-07:00

In this class, we studied how to identify trees. The instructor started out by talking about dichotomous keys, and I was immediately lost.

But then we learned how to use them, kind of like written maps -- along the lines of the process of elimination -- to get to what kind of tree it is. Dichotomous keys are handy and fascinating.

Then we spent most of the half-day session out in the field, using the tools we just learned to identify the trees in the forest around us. It was fun to be trekking/bushwhacking in the woods, using our brains, and having a deeper and closer view of the woods around us.

I know I've taken a lot for granted during my hikes and other times spent in nature. An almost cavalier attitude of "it's just a tree". Now I'll be much more fascinated by and interested in exactly what I'm trekking through, and how it grew there.

The day kind of reminded me of the Ents in "The Lord of the Rings". And the Apple Trees in "Wizard of Oz". Yes, the trees are alive.

DNR: "Becoming An Outdoors Woman" / Tracks & Trails

2010-10-28T17:31:00.001-07:00

I thought in this course we would learn to identify animal tracks. But it was So. Much. More.

So much to say about this course!

What did we learn about? Our power of observation. How people feel they are productive/how we feel we've accomplished something. Human behavior (humans are animals too, and they leave tracks ...). How to observe signs around the tracks, so you can form the whole story -- not just what animal was there, but what they were doing, where they came from. Was another animal stalking them?, did they run? was there a battle? or were they playing? What time of day is it? When was the last tide? Did it rain? How deep are the tracks. How to tell how long ago they were formed.

Just amazing the stories that are behind a simple track.

DNR: "Becoming An Outdoors Woman" / Map & Compass

2010-10-28T17:30:00.003-07:00

My first course at DNR's "BOW" program was "Map & Compass". I've had a few short (like 1/2 hour) training sessions on using a compass, but I just didn't "get" it.

This course was a half-day. We learned all the details around a topographic map. I was kinda comfortable reading a topo map, enough to get myself out of trouble. But now I know more. We spent a lot of time learning how to properly use a compass. And now I get it! I need to keep using the skills so that I don't forget how to do it.

We concluded the class with a really fun game in a field where we were given compass readings that we had to follow and take notes of where we ended up. I did the route correctly! and quickly. So I did another one. It was a ton of fun!

The instructor told us that if enjoyed the game, we should try orienteering. Yikes, another fun thing to get myself into! I can't wait!

My Great Adventure! Dept of Natural Resources: Becoming An Outdoors Woman

2010-10-28T17:30:00.001-07:00

October 21-24, 2010

On my first camping adventure, back in April, at Greenridge State Forest, the rangers had told me about this program: "Becoming An Outdoors Woman". I'm not sure if they told me about me because I had passed some test by actually surviving camping those two short days when it was clear I had no idea what I was doing; or, if they thought I'd better go get some training. Maybe both reasons.

So I signed up way-back-when. But ... the program is held in Garrett County, south of Deep Creek Lake. Like on the other side of the mountains.

All summer I debated whether I was going or not -- simply because of my fear of heights and the mountain driving. I got more & more nervous, but then also afraid that my fear of heights and mountain driving would just stop me from doing fun things. I had to face my fears and do it.

So I did all kinds of research on mountain driving and phobias, and for weeks, I mentally prepared myself. Or tried to. And I went and did it! Whew!

The program was phenomenal! There are all kinds of outdoor adventure courses you can take, ranging from sports to hunting to survival to cooking. They are geared from beginner level to advanced. All of the instructors are experts, personable, and approachable. Many of the participants have attended several times, so classes are becoming more advanced as we all learn more stuff. And the women who attended are adventurous, have interesting jobs, have traveled to so many places -- it was a great joy to socialize with so many fascinating people!

Camp Area:

Trail Maintenance Training: Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

2010-10-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

Taking ... and Giving.
Not only do I want to reap the benefits of living closer to nature, but I want to make some contribution to its sustainability. I signed up for trail maintenance duty with the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. The training was in two parts: the first was lecture explaining the history of the area, what our roles would be, safety, etc. The second part was in the field, on a Saturday morning, learning what trail maintenance is all about. A good day. The park is very pretty too; again, an area so close to me that I had never explored.

Camping #4: Elk Neck State Park

2010-10-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

Continuing on my quest ... Exploring as many camping areas as possible before the end of the season!

Elk Neck SP is fairly close to me. I had something to do on Saturday morning, but I thought I'd get in a quick trip to explore the park and campground so that I'd be familiar with it & could plan a longer excursion.

Oh, I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived! It was a beautiful warm and sunny fall day. The foliage was so pretty. Some had fallen, so the campground was covered in color. And the views of the Elk River!: fabulous. A very pretty park. I ended up staying on Sunday much longer than I had expected; it was so relaxing!

Campground Description
There are a lot of sites, but arranged in loops. So it didn't feel like a huge place. But the sites are relatively close together, and not a lot of greenery buffer between sites. It didn't bother me too much because it was such a pretty park. Saturday afternoon was relaxing and quiet.

Each loop has a bath house: Maryland DNR-rustic. There are playgrounds scattered around the park, near the camp loops.

The tent sites are crushed gravel pads, level, with timber trimming to make sure you stay within the designated area. That keeps the sites neat & tidy, and minimizes the damage to the vegetation.

Night
Still no creature noises. But lots of people noise. Kids/teens hanging out. Motorcycle dudes in the site next to me up til the wee hours of the morning. I got to a solid sleep about 1:30am. I think there's a mandatory party-group at every campground...

Again, pre-dawn choir of birds ... But the sunrise through all the fall foliage was beautiful. Sun rises are becoming my favorite part of camping.

Sunday
On Sunday morning, instead of packing up early as originally planned, I stayed and wrote & read. The park was soooo relaxing. Most people packed up and left pretty early. So by noon, the park was very quiet. Just a few of us around. Quiet. Peaceful. At peace in nature.

My Campsite:

Takeaway
Looking forward to coming back here; often. It's a quick & easy trip.

********

My Gear List

Since this was a last-minute, quick-trip, I basically threw ALL of my normal stuff into the car.

Shelter: tent, fly, tarp

Bed: sleeping bag, pillows. New item: air mattress pad.

Other Essentials: headlamp; a flashlight from home; mini-compass/whistle; map of the park

Bathroom: garden spade for cat-hole, toilet paper, wipes. New item: nalgene bottle. Uhhh, I use that instead of crawling out of my tent in the middle of the night and peeing outdoors.

Personal Care: my overloaded tote bag of ...

First Aid: band-aids. One day I will assemble a proper first aid kit.

Camp Fire Supplies: fire starter material, matches, and lots of newspaper (still)

Kitchen Gear: All the gear: pot, pan, eating/cooking utensils; aluminum foil, ziploc bags for storage & trash; scrubber pad to wash dishes. There may have been more things I brought along ...

Food: I didn't keep good notes, but I think I experimented with ham, beef, apples. And I had my usual sandwich-stuff, yogurt, fruit & nuts

Clothing: the basic hiking/outdoor stuff and outerwear

Hiking Gear: hiking shoes; camelbak

Downtime Amusement: my Kindle & hiking/biking/camping books

Other / New Item: At the camp store, I bought an "entrance mat" for my tent - lol!

Comments:

I love the new "entrance pad". It does help with keeping dirt out of the tent. Plus, it's comfy for my knees when I'm setting up/dismantling.

Through this trip, basically I was packing and taking everything that I "might"need, in order to figure out what I really do use.

Better Organization: I have all my "stuff" organized in separate tote bags, such as: cooking, personal care, fire, clothing, essentials.

Hike: Patapsco Valley State Park / Glen Artney area

2010-10-28T17:23:00.003-07:00

[details to be posted later]

Short Evening Hike: Patapsco Valley State Park / Hilton area

2010-10-28T17:23:00.001-07:00

[details to be posted later]

Hike: Patapsco Valley State Park

2010-10-28T17:22:00.003-07:00

[details to be posted later]

Camping #3: Patapsco Valley State Park / Hilton area

2010-10-28T17:22:00.001-07:00

Did I say I was hooked on sleeping outdoors? Now I'm on a quest ...

Selected PVSP for several reasons - I wanted to go camping for two nights, not just one. I thought I'd stay someplace "local" in case things went dreadfully wrong. If so, I could just ... Get In My Car. And drive home.

Atmosphere / Campground Description
PVSP / Hilton area is very close. Very local. Like, just down the street in the middle of a residential area. Therefore it appeals to people who want to hang out with family and friends. It was noisy. This is where I began to learn that camping is not necessarily about peace, serenity, and solitude. A lot of people think of it as a party place.

The sites were large enough. There was some grassy, foliage, shrubbery-type "buffer" between the sites. I felt that I did have some privacy; although I could hear what was going on in the sites around me. My site though backed up to a wooded area / and the power line cut. So I had a nice view from my tent.

There's a bathhouse in the center of the loop. And a playground.

Overall Experience
But I did get to sleep outdoors and that was the goal. And I learned more about camping. Much more. Starting to grasp some necessary skills. I finally tackled building a campfire - I had something going.

My First Real Camp Fire!

The best part of camping here though is the rest of the park: marvelous trails! Beautiful scenery! Lots to do. This is a great place to use as a base camp and spend most of your time away from the campsite, doing lots of fun stuff.

On my hikes, I found beautiful, quiet, secluded spots -- perfect for reading, thinking, relaxing. [Notes about the hikes are in separate blog posts.]

"It's the Other People You Have to Worry About ..."
On of the things the camp host here at this park told me about is making sure I'm aware of the people around me. Study my neighbors. See what kind of people they are. Walk around the campground and be aware of who is around me. Great advice!

On Saturday night, the crowd two sites away from me stayed up late. Then they ended up knocking over their large lantern, full of propane fuel. The lit fuel ran through their site. I was in my tent, attempting to get some sleep, and heard: "F-k!" [they used the real f-word]. "F-k!" "F-k!" Then ... "Fire! Move the cars!"

I got out of my tent super-fast, fast enough to see their tent go: poof! Just a wall of orange-glow.

Since then, I now sleep with these items closest to me: my eyeglasses, car keys, blackberry - in case I need to make an emergency phone call.

Merit Badge / Skill
-- Successfully setting up a new tent! I used all the stakes, though I'm not sure what all the loops and strings and doo-dads are for
-- My first real camp fire!

My Tent/Campsite & The View From My Tent:

Sunrise on Saturday / View from My Tent:

Takeaway
A great base camp. I can spend a full day of hiking and biking, longer trips with short evening/morning hikes. I'd like to try camping here during the work week and heading to the office from here!

********

My Gear List

Lots of "stuff" is creeping into my car.

Shelter: A new tent! REI Mountain-3. I forgot to order the footprint when I bought the tent (do I have a mental block on those things???). So on the way to the campground I bought a tarp and used that as a footprint, as you can see in the photo.

Bed: sleeping bag, pillows

Other Essentials: headlamp; a flashlight from home; mini-compass/whistle; map of the park

Bathroom: garden spade for cat-hole, toilet paper. New item: wipes

Personal Care: my overloaded tote bag of ...

First Aid: band-aids

Camp Fire Supplies: fire starter material, matches, and lots of newspaper (still)

Kitchen Gear: I was determined to build a campfire and cook, so that means a whole new list/tote bag of supplies: pot, pan, eating/cooking utensils; aluminum foil, ziploc bags for storage & trash; scrubber pad to wash dishes. There may have been more things I brought along ...

Food: I didn't keep good notes, but I think I experimented with ham, beef, apples. And I had my usual sandwich-stuff, yogurt, fruit & nuts

Clothing: the basic hiking/outdoor stuff and outerwear

Hiking Gear: hiking shoes; camelbak

Downtime Amusement: my Kindle & hiking/biking/camping books

Comments:

Need to pare down what I bring with me.

Bike: York County Heritage Rail/Trail

2010-10-28T17:21:00.001-07:00

New opportunities open up: camping can be a base for doing other outdoor fun activities!
On the way home from Codorus, I was a little bit disappointed. I ended my trip somewhat earlier in the day than I had wanted to because of the rain.

As I got closer to the interstate, it had stopped raining. That's when I remembered the Rail/Trail! The way home put me right at it. So I pulled into a parking lot, got my bike set up, and biked for an hour or so.

Glorious!

Now the whole camping idea is taking on more dimensions. Not only do I find peace and serenity being out in nature, I can use camping as a base to do other things. Instead of driving for hours, doing something fun, then driving all those hours again to get home, I now can have fun, sleep outdoors in a campsite, do more fun things the next day -- and then drive home. Brilliant! Did I say I was hooked on camping? I am now!

Short Hike: Codorus State Park

2010-10-28T17:20:00.005-07:00

During my camping adventure, I took a hike on the trail around the lake. Part of it was single-track (very nice); much of it was poorly marked (not so nice) - but kind of tough to get lost as you were only going around the lake.

This would be a really nice place to go in autumn and see the fall foliage.

On the far side of the lake were mountain bike trails. But because it rained on Sunday, I decided it would be safer to not go exploring them in the rain.

Hike Details:
No elevation gain. Mix of single- and double-track. Some tiny stream crossings, with path bridges. Some open areas (such as the historic cemetery); in those areas, the trail markings were difficult to find - if at all.

Re-start Camping! Excursion #2 / Codorus State Park / Uhh, how does this tent get set up?

2010-10-28T17:20:00.003-07:00

Discovering the utter relaxation of sleeping in the rain!

Finally! I decided to head out for another camping adventure. I selected Codorus State Park because it was relatively close by, and I could combine camping with a few other play-time activities.

Saturday
On Saturday, I headed up I-83, stopping at Shrewsbury Market and a farm festival. I had a marvelous lunch of roast pork, sauerkraut, sweet potatoes. And bought lots of fruit and baked goodies at an orchard/farm stand. This camping life isn't exactly roughing it ...

Atmosphere / Campground Description
Codorus State Park was dramatically different than Greenridge State Forest. The park surrounds a reservoir and much of the "campground" is dedicated to RVs. The tent sites are a little off by themselves, but relatively close together. This was nothing like the isolated, private sites in the forest. I'm beginning to learn the difference between back-country camping and front-country/organized campgrounds.

But, OK - I can enjoy sleeping outdoors in nature, and begin learning all the skills I really should have anyway.

The tent sites were close to a lake, very pretty, very calm & relaxing. Which really is what I needed anyway.

Again, I didn't attempt building a campfire, relying on cold food and snacks.

Bathhouse: the campground had a bathhouse! I didn't use the shower, but it was nice to have a place to freshen up.

Tent Assembly - sort of

Since it's been like six months since my last (and first) camping experience, I could not remember how to properly set up my tent. I had all these poles and gadgets and no clue where they were supposed to go. I got the tent up in some way, but not the right way. It was kind of like just propped up. [Note to Self: review tent assembly instructions before heading out ...]

Saturday
Went on a nice hike around the lake - details are in a separate post.

Sunset:

Night
The night was clear. Lots of stars again. A wisp of a cloud off in the distance. It was warm, so I kept the fly off my tent so that I could be as close to nature as possible. For the *Adventure*.

Again, no noise. Very odd. Very still and silent. Except for one time, a bird let out a huge "CAW". It was so loud that I swear it was a super-dinosaur bird right at my campsite! I swear!

Nothing for the rest of the night. Until the pre-dawn cacophony of birds. All those years, nestled quietly in my house, I had no idea that birds can be so noisy BEFORE the sun comes up ...

Sunday .... ooops, the weather has changed
Crawled out of my tent on Sunday morning to find an enormously cloudy sky, looking like it would downpour at any minute. Realized then that I need to learn more about weather patterns, as I had no clue the night before that it was going to rain. And I didn't have my tent fly on - that would've been *fun* taking care of that in the dark and rain.

Sunrise:

Sleeping in the Rain
I walked down to & around the lake, took photos, read & wrote a bit. About 8:30am, it started raining. I wasn't in the mood to pack up in the rain, so I put the fly on my tent, threw my sleeping bag & pillows back in, and settled in my tent for a nap in the rain.

Have you even slept outdoors in the rain??? Oh my gosh - It was the best nap I've ever had. If I wasn't hooked on sleeping outdoors before, I was then.

Takeaway
A very pleasant, relaxing experience. About as safe as one could be. Not a primitive experience, but an opportunity to at least be outdoors as much as possible. On the way home, I went bike riding -- and that's when it occurred to me that camping can be even more than the solitude of nature, it's also a base from which to do other fun stuff outdoors! Less driving!

Merit Badge / Skills
-- Almost flunked on the tent-assembly skill, but got it up, and got the fly on. But a *star* for knowing what the footprint was this time, and using it.
-- No attempt at a campfire ...

[After that trip, I decided to invest in a slightly bigger tent. One that had more "substance" to it, so I would be a little safer from dinosaur-birds (lol!) and I'd have more room if I had to stay in the tent all day in bad weather. I ended up with a REI Mountain-3 tent, which I dearly love. My home-away-from-home.]

********

My Gear List

Sticking with Minimalism. Well, except for the bag of personal care items.

Shelter: tent, fly, footprint
Bed: sleeping bag, and a pillow from home. :)
Other Essentials: headlamp; flashlight; mini-compass/whistle; map
Bathroom: toilet paper, wipes, spade
Personal Care: woah! Knowing there'd be a bath house and I could put anything that I wanted in my car ... well, I've ended up with a tote bag of: soap, washcloth & towel, toothpaste & toothbrush, facial moisturizer, body moisturizer, feet-pampering supplies, shampoo & conditioner, nail clipper. I think the list goes on & on.
First Aid: band-aids
Food: Still just cold-food supplies: sandwich-type items; yogurt; fruit and nut snack stuff. On Sunday morning, I was really wishing for a cup of coffee -again. ... Brought a jug or two of water.
Clothing: the basic hiking/outdoor stuff and outerwear
Hiking/Biking Gear: hiking shoes; camelbak. Bike, helmet, tools, pump, shoes, etc.
Downtime Amusement: my Kindle; brought other hiking books to plan more adventures

Notes about the Gear:

I loved being able to bike ride while on my Adventure. But the bike and gear takes up a lot of space in the car & generates just more stuff to move around when packing, setting up, and dismantling
Pillows: sweet!

Hike: Savage Park - local!

2010-10-28T17:20:00.001-07:00

Good gracious! Another local park, with beautiful trails, that I knew nothing about. How have I missed out on all this???

This is another great spot to go to on my own. Today was with a group. But pace was still a bit tough for me; no map; no idea of where I was going. I feel much more comfortable if I know where I'm at.

Hike: Return to Oregon Ridge

2010-10-28T17:19:00.003-07:00

Joined up with a different group this week-end: an all women's group. The scheduled hike was: Oregon Ridge! It was a lot of fun to be with a new group of people, in a park that I was familiar with. (If you can count being familiar with a park, based on one previous hike ... but hey, it helps. Like, I knew where the bathroom is!)

The weather was dramatically better than the 90+ temps of the hike a few weeks prior. And the pace was more casual. A delightful day!

Hike: Rockburn Area

2010-10-28T17:19:00.001-07:00

July
Hiking with a local group - took several trails in & around Patapsco Valley State Park. The pace was a bit fast for me; I didn't have a map; likely would never be able to retrace where I went. (???)

But it was a new experience for me! and fun. Loving the whole idea of exploring local areas. There's a world of nature practically in my back yard and I've been missing out on it.

Hike: Oregon Ridge / 1st time at the park!

2010-10-28T17:18:00.003-07:00

Kickstart, Part 2.
July

A dream of mine is to go back to Crested Butte, Colorado. I have fond memories of the incredibly blue sky; the fields of wildflowers; the golden aspen trees; the Rocky Mountains framing every view; and the fantastic trails. But to fully experience it again, I need to be in shape.

I joined up with a local group, with the goal of increasing my distance, speed, (i.e. fitness level) and learning of new trails with an experienced group.

Today was my first trip to Oregon Ridge park. Amazing I had never been there, because it's So Close!

The hike was fun; the trails were great; but it was a brutally hot day. After about 2 or 3 miles, the heat drained everyone. We all lagged. It wasn't a whole lot of fun. But, I'll definitely return another time.

A Gap in My Outdoor Adventures

2010-10-28T17:18:00.001-07:00

OK .. so my first grand adventure was awesome. But somehow, life took a turn. And I ended up not being outdoors for the rest of the spring and summer - other adventures in life; a broken ankle; and an awfully hot summer.

First & Solo Camping Expedition, aka: What Was I Thinking???

2010-10-28T17:17:00.001-07:00

My First Camping Adventure - off to the Great Unknown

So ... my grand sense of adventure got a much needed kick-in-the-butt during a conversation with the girl who cuts my hair. She's goofy, crazy, and does the most fun stuff. She tells me all about her camping, ATVing, and partying adventures in West Virginia. It sounds like so much fun. I've always wanted to try camping. But it's always been "one day". Well, I'm running out of "one day"s.

So on that particular Thursday, I decided "one day" had arrived. "One day" was "NOW!"

That evening I did an eentsy bit of research and selected Greenridge State Forest for my first adventure. I had mountain biked there; so it was somewhat familiar. (Uhh, yeah - that was like two decades ago.) And it was far enough away to count as an *Adventure*.

On Friday, I headed to REI to buy some supplies. Well, ... like a tent. ... And a sleeping bag. I wasn't going to let the fact that I didn't own any camping gear stop me; or the fact that I knew nothing about camping.

Hardly able to sleep, early Saturday morning I packed my car with my new camping gear; filled a cooler with cold foods and snacks; and off I went.

I ended up with a campsite that was beautiful, definitely in the woods!, fairly isolated but on a dirt road that ran through the park so periodically other people would drive by (comforting). Down the road just a bit lived a family who, on Sunday, showed me pictures of a bear mama wandering on the property [aagh!]

Saturday
I spent the first day walking around the park a bit, reading while sitting on the back of my car, and eating snacks. And I easily got the tent set up -- well, it had been only a few hours ago that I had learned how to assemble it.

The rangers on each shift came by a few times. One insisted that I should learn how to make a campfire. But I was so tired, all I wanted to do was sleep - not work on a fire.

Nighttime: what a fabulous experience!
1) I didn't hear a thing. Nothing. The night was so still. No critters. No bears :0. Not even wind through the trees.

2) Did I mention that I embarked on this adventure during the second week of April? It was an unseasonably warm day when I left, in the 60s. But at night, the temps dropped to the 30s. I wasn't quite prepared for the cold [understatement] ... About 3:00am, I bailed on the tent and got in my car to warm up. That's when I saw ..

3) The STARS! Oh my gosh, the sky was peppered with glitter! Seeing the dark shadowy shapes of the tall, tall, pine trees with the diamond sparkles sprinkled amongst them - what a gorgeous sight! I was hooked. (That is, after I warmed up. I was marveling at the stars in the comfort of my running, heated car. Note to Self: always fill up the gas tank before settling into the campground. )

Warmed up, I eventually crawled back into the tent and slept the next few hours, only to be awakened by NOISE. All the noise that didn't happen during the night -- happened pre-dawn. I think every bird in the universe was waking up, flying overhead, and cawing to their friends. But experiencing the sunrise, early morning mist, and the solitude of nature was an amazing experience.

Sunday
On Sunday, I took a hike; one that the trailhead was near my site. I sorta got lost, but carefully reviewing my park map, I realized I was on a fire road that would take me back to a "main" road in the park. So I got my way back. On the way back to my site is when I met the family who showed me all the bear pictures.

In the afternoon, I packed up and headed home.

Merit Badge/Skill: Setting Up a Tent

Well, it was pretty easy to get the tent up. And the fly. But I had no idea what the other item in the little tote bag was - What is a "Footprint"??? So I didn't use it. Apparently the footprint should go down first, and lies under the tent. It protects damaging the fabric of the tent from the rocks etc but also provides a layer of protection from the cold of the ground. Maybe I would've been warmer if I had used that; doubt it though .... And later on in time, I learned about air mats. I didn't have one of those on this trip either.

Safely Back At Home
It wasn't til I was safe & warm at home & in my own bed, that I thought: WHAT DID I JUST DO???

Looking back, I realized some of the things that could've gone wrong simply because I didn't know better:

If a bear had come by, I knew I should make a lot of noise. But really, when I was in my tent, I didn't have anything to make any noise with ..
Hiking by myself with no one else around - I could've got seriously hurt. I had no supplies with me to last in the woods until I was found. I guess the rangers may have figured out what trail I was on, but I hadn't told anyone
I really didn't have enough safety stuff, gear, knowledge.
Maybe there really is something to what I've heard: "It's the other people you need to worry about." And here I was just randomly sleeping by myself in the middle of the woods, next to a dirt road.

But I survived. More than survived. I had a ball. It felt so good to have an adventure. The experience of such immense solitude in nature, the beauty of the sky and woods, and the sounds of the real world, was incomparable. And addicting. And I loved getting away quickly, with just the bare essentials.

********

My Gear List

Minimalism? or Clueless-ness?

Shelter: tent, fly. And that footprint thing that I didn't know what it was.
Bed: sleeping bag
Other Essentials: headlamp (newly purchased); a flashlight from home; mini-compass/whistle; map of the park
Bathroom: learned to make a cat-hole; used the great outdoors. Brought toilet paper and a garden spade for digging potty hole.
Personal Care: since this was a quick, overnight trip, I don't think I brought anything else ...
First Aid: band-aids
Food: sandwich-type supplies; yogurt; fruit and nut snack stuff. On Sunday morning, I was really wishing for a cup of coffee ... Brought a jug or two of water.
Clothing: the basic hiking/outdoor stuff and outerwear
Hiking Gear: hiking shoes; camelbak
Downtime Amusement: my Kindle

Comments:

Loved the headlamp! Especially in my tent as well as in the middle of the night for "bathroom" excursion.
The Kindle was super-handy to have; tons of reading material without packing a lot of stuff.
Need to work on sleeping arrangements; since I got so cold.