Into the Wild
a return to backpacking
The last time I went backpacking, I was 13 years old. Funny enough, I was with the same hiking buddy then as I was last weekend. Years ago, we were on a school camping trip and my friend vividly remembers us belting Supertramp as we hiked together (sounds about right.)
Last Saturday we hiked three miles into the mountains for an overnight with our kids. My friend and her kiddos are expert backpackers compared to us (and possibly compared to most.) Surrounded by their knowledge and warm hearts we could relax, enjoy and learn. We foraged firewood and filtered water from the creek (chop wood, carry water.) We stayed warm in our good gear, even when it dropped to freezing (thank you modern times.) We lingered by the campfire and talked and laughed. I’m not sure life gets much better.
I’m a Capricorn. So when I really, with every cell of my body, decide to do something- it happens. And as my husband can exhaustedly tell you, it often happens fast.
About halfway through last year I decided I no longer wanted to work for an upscale fitness club where I was employed as a personal trainer. I was part-time self employed and part-time working for the club. I wanted to do my own thing 100% and I saw what I needed to do in order to make that happen. By Fall, I was almost pulling it off financially. Within six months I was able to leave the club altogether. The shift took various efforts and mild risks that pushed me to the point of exhaustion. (Also, under my belt were a lot of years of education and work-experience in the fitness business- so in that sense, I guess you could say it wasn’t a “fast” life change.)
Whether it’s taking on the planning, packing and executing of a backpacking trip in freezing weather or a tectonic life shift, it all comes from the same actions: initiative, drive, plan, trust. Brick by brick is one of my favorite sayings.
We are planning for backpacking trip #2. A little longer this time- and a little more challenging. Maybe it’s just my chemical make up - I’m addicted to manifesting. Like a shark, living in perpetual forward motion because my life depends on it.
I like the physical tests that backpacking puts on my body -it allows me the opportunity to see if all the functional weight-training I do is actually working (while providing information on how to train better.) I like the brain stimulation of learning: watching a fifteen year old find, break and carry good campfire wood. Other things I loved: the ice cold creek water on my dirty face, tenting with my teen, an early morning coffee + campfire hang with my friend.
Following a goal, following dreams (little or big), following our hearts and the process by which we prepare for the upcoming journey: it’s healing. The practice of continuing to move, stretch and expand morphs old ideas about ourselves, our bodies and the world around us, so that we can grow and be happier. Top it off with a deep appreciation that we have the opportunity, and that makes for a beautiful life.
Of course there is also the magic that sneaks in to make it all happen. The universe conspiring as we struggle to break free and grow...but that, is another story.
