Lately I have been enamored with the idea of backpacking. I read "Wild" about the woman who backpacked the Pacific Coast Trail by herself. I saw the movie of "A Walk In The Woods" about an odd-couple pair of old guys walking the Appalachian Trail. And the other night I saw "The Way" an Emilio Estevez -- Martin Sheen indie movie on netflix about a pilgrimage through Spain.
The idea of a long backpacking trip is alluring to me, and I think I know why -
1- Solitude and Quiet - I picture myself walking down beautiful trails alone without another being in sight listening to wildlife gently scampering through the woods. This serves as a contrast to my current position, a hostage of 4 needy jailers forced to spend every day together, usually in the same room. As Ron Swanson says "There is no quiet anymore, there is only Doc McStuffins"
2- Visual Progress - On the trail you have a map that tells you Where to go, How far you have already gone, and How much is left. These days, I am doing the same thing every day without any measure of progress. That would be like hiking the same trail every day without actually getting anywhere. The only thing that changes is the weather.
3- Trail Guide - A prepared hiker may have a trail guide with them, this will give information that the map doesn't show, information from past hikers of where to camp, get water, expected dangers etc. Can you imagine if someone could say to you "At mile marker 15 your 3 year old will be ready to be potty trained" Oh my gosh, that would be amazing! Now, lots of parents are willing to give advice, but I'm talking about information specifically about MY kids that would help me know how to prepare and what to expect.
4- Escape - Don't we all need to escape once in a while? To get away from the world, the same people and places you see every day, and do something different to spice up your life? I think it all boils down to this funk-buster, Escape into Nature.
Now I am of course a realist. I know that if I went on a backpacking trip I would be pretty miserable. As soon as I got cold or wet or tired, I would be worthless. Still, it might be a nice change of pace for a while.
(for those keeping track I have had 4 kids for 3 months now and Anna's leg has been broken for 3 weeks - maybe it has been a little rough)
The idea of a long backpacking trip is alluring to me, and I think I know why -
1- Solitude and Quiet - I picture myself walking down beautiful trails alone without another being in sight listening to wildlife gently scampering through the woods. This serves as a contrast to my current position, a hostage of 4 needy jailers forced to spend every day together, usually in the same room. As Ron Swanson says "There is no quiet anymore, there is only Doc McStuffins"
2- Visual Progress - On the trail you have a map that tells you Where to go, How far you have already gone, and How much is left. These days, I am doing the same thing every day without any measure of progress. That would be like hiking the same trail every day without actually getting anywhere. The only thing that changes is the weather.
3- Trail Guide - A prepared hiker may have a trail guide with them, this will give information that the map doesn't show, information from past hikers of where to camp, get water, expected dangers etc. Can you imagine if someone could say to you "At mile marker 15 your 3 year old will be ready to be potty trained" Oh my gosh, that would be amazing! Now, lots of parents are willing to give advice, but I'm talking about information specifically about MY kids that would help me know how to prepare and what to expect.
4- Escape - Don't we all need to escape once in a while? To get away from the world, the same people and places you see every day, and do something different to spice up your life? I think it all boils down to this funk-buster, Escape into Nature.
Now I am of course a realist. I know that if I went on a backpacking trip I would be pretty miserable. As soon as I got cold or wet or tired, I would be worthless. Still, it might be a nice change of pace for a while.
(for those keeping track I have had 4 kids for 3 months now and Anna's leg has been broken for 3 weeks - maybe it has been a little rough)
5 comments:
No kidding.
This is the new running away fantasy: backpacking. It used to just be a bindle and an old soup can, a la hobo style.
If we can get someone to take care of the kids for however long you want to be out, I would LOVE to go backpacking with you. Maybe even just for a long weekend or something (to start). It's been 6 years since my Wonderland Trail trek and a it's rare a day goes by without me thinking about it.
Amen. I miss tests sometimes just because I could study and then regurgitate the information and then walk away feeling accomplished. Rarely in my current stage of life are their assessments that tell me I did exactly what I was supposed to and it is now the end of learning that information.
And escaping sounds magical of course.
That's a good one Meredith. Taking a test where there is one answer. With multiple kids there could be multiple right answers or answers you really don't want to have to do.
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