Tag: #backpacking

For the past few days I have been reflecting on the activities of the summer. We are quickly approaching the beginning of a new school year and we are on the cusp of autumn (my favorite season). I have been contemplating quite a bit about how I was going to approach this piece. How I have spent the summer of 2022 has been met with wonder, amazement, respect, curiosity, and maybe some resentment and bitterness. Some might call my summer selfish. I would call my summer self-care.

This summer I spent a lot of time in the woods. It began with a section hike of the Appalachian Trail in early June with my best friend from childhood. This was an adventure a lot of people did not understand. Who would willingly carry 40 pounds of supplies on their back, sleep in a coffin-like tent (I used a solo bivy tent on the AT), eat dehydrated meals, wear the same clothes every day, not be able to shower for days on end, and have to filter stream water just to have something to drink? I would. And as it turns out, I enjoyed it more than I would have ever imagined.

I have always liked hiking. But my hikes were limited to day hikes. Most of the hikes were between 4-6 miles. Some were longer. But after each hike, I came home and took a shower. I’m the kind of girl who showers daily. And when I say daily, I mean two and three times a day. So the not showering part was my greatest concern approaching the AT adventure. But surprisingly, it was not a challenge at all. Once I realized I didn’t care as much about the daily shower as I thought I would, I jumped in fully to the backpacking thing.

This summer alone I have backpacked part of the AT. When I returned from that trip, my husband and I began our backpacking adventures, most of which include our dogs. We started off with an overnight at Zaleski State Forest about a week after I returned from the AT. That was our first adventure with two of our dogs (the littles). It was challenging because we did not realize that the area had experienced microbursts just days earlier. There were a number of downed trees and debris covered large portions of the trail. At one point, I had to lift Charlie over a tree because it was far too large for him to jump over and there was no clearance for climbing under. And yes, I speak to him like he is human, talking him through the lift and telling him that I would pick him up on three…then I proceeded to count it out…1, 2, 3. Don’t laugh, we have an understanding and my relationship with him is better than most of my relationships with humans.

From there we moved on to a challenging route at Quebec Run Wild Area. We left the dogs home for this 11.5 mile loop because we were not sure just how “challenging” this trail would be. The struggle was real, with some steep inclines, but the area was beautiful, silent, and still. We saw only one other hiker and spent a very quiet evening camped by a creek about 9 miles in. We did hear elk in the distance late at night. It was quite a profound experience. And Quebec Run quickly became one of my favorite places.

After that, we decided to explore the Allegheny National Forest and did the Morrison Trail Loop. This 13-mile loop had a campground about halfway into the hike that was situated on a beautiful lake. The only way to the campground was on foot or by boat. We brought the littles on this hike and arrived at the campground around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. We set up camp right on the water’s edge. There were two other campers (boaters) dispersed throughout the area and lots of signs warning us about black bears. The view from our tents was beautiful and reconfirmed my love of backpacking and deepened my appreciation of nature.

Two days after that trip, we headed back to the Quebec Run Wild Area with the dogs in tow this time. We hiked a shorter and less challenging loop, which included a stream crossing and a pretty steep incline to get back out. Again, we camped by the creek, the rushing water was soothing and provided ample hydration for all of us. Late in the evening as we sat by the campfire, we heard a pack of coyotes howl and bark. Another perfect night in the woods.

Ten days later, we ventured out again with the dogs and headed to a point-to-point trail at Moraine State Park. This was not our first choice for this expedition, but the weather forecast had caused us to change our plans. This ended up being a 10-mile hike out and back. We camped at a shelter and had an amazing campfire. I even foraged for some mushrooms on this trip. We listened to birds call to one another at dusk and slumbered so soundly that we slept in the following morning and didn’t break down camp until after 8am.

We returned home and departed 3 days later for our intended destination in Bigfoot country, Wayne National Forest. Once again, we departed, sans dogs, because this intended trail was noted as “difficult” and encompassed almost 15 miles. We hiked 9 miles the first day, finally arriving at a camp that was along a nearly dry creek bed. There was no water to be found, the trek was long and challenging with a lot of steep inclines, but the scenery was beautiful, with a natural bridge, caves, and rock outcroppings. We were exhausted as we set up camp and prepared dinner. We enjoyed a wonderful campfire before turning in for the night only to be awakened around 2am by an inhuman cry/wail/moan/howl which reminded us that we were in Bigfoot country.

We came home from this last adventure two days ago and we are planning our next trip. Thus far, we have covered more than 200 miles with all of our day and overnight expeditions.

I share all of this because most people don’t understand what we do. Even more, they don’t understand why we do it. There is something profoundly spiritual about being in the natural world, deeply submerged in nature, that brings you ever closer to God. I have a greater appreciation for this incredible planet that He has given us, this incredible world that we completely take for granted. Being in the wilderness restores my soul, brings me peace, comforts my restlessness, soothes my mind, removes my cares, gives me a reset, and connects me with God in a way that I cannot explain. But if you know, you know.

There have been many people who do not understand my love of disconnecting and unplugging from society, from people, from the world. But that’s okay, not everyone needs to understand. There are some people who think that I may be selfish for packing up and leaving everything behind for a day or two or even a week or more, but there is a big difference between selfishness and self-care. This is my self-care. This is my time with God, appreciating His creation, enjoying the silence that only nature can provide, and listening to the wind, the water, and the animals, listening to nature. Listening to God.

So today, take some time for self-care. It is not selfish to take care of yourself. Because when you are taking care of yourself, you are making space for God. You are creating fertile ground so that God can work in your life. And maybe take a walk in the woods, listen to the trees, inhale the forest air, wade through a creek, and listen for God. I know He has something He wants to tell you. And today, please pray for me and I will continue to pray for you.