I played sports from the time I was 10 years old until I graduated from high school. Anyone who played year-round sports (wrestling, football, and baseball) knows what I mean when I say that I didn't have a lot of time for much else. I loved the idea of joining the Boy scouts when I was around 10 or so, but had to make a choice between sports or the scouts. The cub scout program I had been introduced to at my private school was a half-assed attempt at scouting that involved a lot of arts and crafts followed by snacks; I wanted to go camping, backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, etc. Of course I didn't know then, that they don't let the youngest of the young go - but they didn't tell us when or if we would ever go - so sports got the go ahead on that one.
After that brief history I'll try to get back on track. Last June my wife and I took Austin and went to Oak Mountain to do a bit of car camping. It was very hot, but we had a blast. The morning after - I woke early (as I usually do) and found a trail that led all the way down to this little hidden spot on the lake near the campground. It was beautiful. I can't really describe how it made me feel to find that spot. It had to be a combination of the exercise getting my blood pumping, the smell of what the earth was meant to smell like, the beauty of the view - following by a kind of enlightenment; this is the way God intended us to feel the earth; smell, touch, see, hear the earth. After that trip, I started reading and exploring into the sport that is backpacking.
Backpacking is like camping - but more. Most people don't really know the difference. Camping can be staying at a park while on a trip, in a tent of course, just to save a few bucks instead of staying in a hotel. Camping is what you do when you son just wants to spend the night in a tent and you set one up in the backyard.
Backpacking is taking everything you take for granted in your daily life, strapping it to your back, and venturing into the unknown - prepared to take on the wild one step at a time. What do I mean? I mean taking your shelter, sleeping materials, stove, food, clothing, and other tools needed for survival and putting them all in a pack - and then just taking off. Where to? To where cars, ATV's, trucks, bikes, and other modern forms of transportation can not. To serenity, peace, and probably a place where freeze-dried food tastes its absolute best.
I went on approximately a 7 mile hike on my last off week at Oak Mountain. I went by myself. I got a map - checked it over - planned a route - drove to the Peavine Falls parking lot - loaded up my pack and took off. I took food, water, some extra rain clothing, and a GPS. At first I headed down a steep hill of rocks and small bent over trees, making me feel like I could fall at any moment. Then I found the waterfall. Beautiful. Peaceful. There was no one there at that moment but me - and I loved that. I began my hike right there and then. I just saw a trail and took off. Five minutes into the hike I had this goofy smile on my face and no real reason why. I hadn't just bought a new toy, I hadn't made a serious life changing accomplishment (at least according to the majority of society) - I was just out in the wood, in nature - and it was a beautiful day - and that in itself made me happy. So that moment has fueled me even more. The idea of being in that happy place for more than just a few hours for a day hike - to spend the night in that place, and wake up to the birds singing - and keep that smile going a bit longer. Call me weird, or call me a hippie, or whatever label you prefer; but for someone who works in a high stress environment weekly - and experiences the amount of sadness and death that I do; finding the exact opposite environment is an amazing thing. And look at the bright side - it's really not that expensive. Well at first, yes. But once your initial gear rig is purchased - one can go on a one week excursion for no more than the price of the gas to get you to the trail head and the food you take along.
I really hope I've found a part of myself that has been dormant all along. I always loved the outdoors as a child, but as I grew up became more focused at computers, music, and my job - all things you do inside. I'm remembering how much I love baseball. And having a blast going to Austin's T-Ball games - and sometimes even helping out with coaching. I never thought coaching could be so fun. All outside, outdoors. Maybe I've found another key to open another door of happiness in my life. There will most definitely be more on this subject posted. I go to get my pack this morning. It won't be long till I'm ready for my first overnighter. I may do a gear review before that first trip as well. Well, until next time.
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