Hiking, Backpacking, Camping and Roughing It - Sweet, Or Is It? California Gold

• This was my first trip hiking and backpacking. It took us nine hours to go about five miles. But that was because the trail was mostly uphill, over rocks and boulders, across bridgeless rivers, and through wet muddy meadows. We were loaded down with about 75 pounds of gear and all the time on this grueling trail my pants kept insisting on falling down. And I, the novice of the group, kept thinking about bears, mosquitoes, where could you possibly go to the bathroom, and sleep. Plus, it would be nice to get to out campsite before it started raining. Whose idea was this?

• But we made it. No injuries. No missing persons. No bear attacks. Unfortunately, no restaurants. We, lucky guys that we were, got to eat MREs. Those are the same meals our soldiers are eating in Iraq and Afghanastan. Sorry Lorenzo, McDonalds will have to wait for another six days. Tonight you can just dream about a quarter pounder with cheese and fries. I would have paid, just then, ten dollars for a large Coke with ice. Oooo weeee!!!

• When you first get to the campsite the first priority is to set up your tent. The second is to find YOUR rock. Your rock is the place your are going to have to find during the day or night to go to the bathroom. You want privacy. That you can get. You want to get away from the ubiquitous mosquitoes. That you can't. I took a picture of MY rock before I left.
  
  
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  I know what you are thinking. Why on earth would anyone want to do this? No radio, no TV, no news, no air conditioning. No comforts.

• Why? the quiet, the beauty, the smell of the pine trees, nature, and cute little furry animals running all about; great conversations with your companions. No organized religion, but you know you are close to God.
  There is something special about sleeping in a one man tent and looking out at night at a sky that has so many stars you really feel quite humble and grateful to be alive. And all the excercise has to be good for you. I loved it.