2. my second backpacking experience

Husband has always been an outdoorsy guy. He likes to watch survival shows on TV, and likes to tell me things like how to start a fire from wet wood and other tricks that I hope I will never need to know how to do.  And I truly believe that the difference between him and a typical armchair enthusiast is that he probably could actually survive for more than a few hours if he was dropped in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the shirt on his back. Me, on the other hand? As much as I like looking at nature, most of the time being in nature is far less  enjoyable. There are bugs and there is dirt. Lots of dirt. And I am happy to avoid bugs and dirt whenever possible.

But I'm also someone who likes to prove that I can do things. It wasn't enough to graduate from college - no, I had to get my PhD. It wasn't enough to try to take up running in my 20s - no, I had to run a half marathon. (And then promptly swear never to try to run ever again.) I even tried for a "natural" birth, but I'll admit that once I was 24 hours into labor I called "uncle" and asked for the epidural - but that's a different story for a different time. But you get my point - I like to think that I can do anything if I put my mind to it, even if my only chance of being an Olympian at this age is if I pick up curling -- at least I still have a shot!

So when Husband suggested that we try camping, it wasn't enough for us to try glamping or even car camping. No, our unique combination of "his desire to use his survival skills and my efforts to prove that I can do anything" led us to an epic backpacking journey along the Superior Hiking Trail.

Honestly, I don't even remember how far we went. But I do remember that we hiked for hours and hours and hours every day, and there were many, many times I thought I was going die. Yet I also remember the solitude and serenity. The serendipity of seeing baby black bears, and of almost being trampled off the path by a running moose. The incredibly crisp and fresh air. And how well I slept (mostly from sheer exhaustion) every night.

It snuck up on me. I expected to prove I that I could backpack, but I didn't expect to (gasp) actually enjoy it!  It was that trip that started the wheels turning in the very back of my mind. So small and quiet at first that I didn't even realize it. But a little nudge of a gentle suggestion that (whisper) maybe city life isn't all there is...maybe the outdoors will beckon...maybe the bugs and dirt are worth it...