I am a woman of a certain age (wink, wink) who has tent camped all her life. When other kids went to summer Rec camp, Mom took my sister and I tent camping, for weeks at a time. In my early twenties I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from the Sierra Buttes to the Bridge of the Gods. Camping always being my preferred vacation. That is until I became inflicted with an autoimmune disease and the emotional roller coaster intrinsic to chronic illness. Three summers ago, with a little gumption, a paper Forest Service map (yes, I said paper) and my furry BFF, I bumped down a dirt road that lead me in to the Klamath Mountains. I’ve been looking for Bigfoot ever since.
June 23 2018 I went to the mountains. Left the familiarity of the coast, went east. I went through burnt forests, crossed serpentine ridges, splashed in a creek or two. I gazed at the swallowtails feeding on flowers, remarked at the conifers, breathed. Deep down I just sort of knew I was looking for something. … More When I grow up I want to be just like Alice
….From the mountains (around the Trinity Alps) Check out Rider in a field of daisies in Lower Canyon Creek Meadow.
Tuesday night I went on a “Date with Nature” at Patrick’s Point State Park. Although I’ve camped here before a few times it still felt like a blind date. I wasn’t expecting too much. The State Parks are usually a bit too manicured and too busy with visitors to satisfy my craving for wild and … More Finding the Wild in a Park
I dreamt I was on a raft floating in a tranquil small pond. Such a peaceful dream I didn’t want to wake from. It took hours before sleep graced me with her presence, the drumming of the rain on the nylon tent walls a deafening kind of torture. I tried to find joy in the … More Why don’t you just go home?
I’m super pumped about my new refillable 5 lb propane tank to fuel my camp stove! This little tank will replace the need to use the disposable small green canisters. This just plain suits me and my ethics better! To read more about other refillable options click here.
As we glide into summer with warmer days (even hot days inland!) I have been reflecting on my springtime excursions. I have a few lessons learned: 1. Camping on the fringe of summer (in this case springtime) in NW California National and State Parks, before these campgrounds are swamped with summer visitors, can truly be … More Lessons Learned
I made the long trek, with co-pilot Jessy, to a Campground on the South Fork of the Trinity River. This little rustic spot is only 25 miles as the crow flies from my house in Blue Lake, yet it took us three hours of curvy road to reach. What a sweet spot! Campsites are tucked … More Would you camp here?
I have now completed two solo outings, one with my puppy pal and one without. Let me tell you, I had troubling mixed feelings before heading out. I was equally exhilarated and nervous. As much as I want to go camping, to spend time in the wild, I had serious trouble with doubt and anxiety. … More Solo Sojourn
About to set out to start research on my camping guide and it seems I have found myself at a crossroads. I wasn’t really expecting it. I was just rambling along driven forward by a dream that wanted fulfilling. My urge to get out and go camping has been consuming me. I pitched the tent … More Standing at the Intersection of Why and Why Not To
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