Camping Delight

Sounds like a dessert that you would cook over the campfire, eh? Actually, it was the entire experience of my husband's and my campout this past weekend! We went to Warren, PA, to visit both Chapman State Forest and Hearts Content recreation area in the Allegheny National Forest. I want to say some fireworks oohs and aahs because the trees were absolutely gorgeous! The trees went on seemingly forever, too; I was so in love!! We planned the best food ever for the trip, too. Everything was perfect, well, of course, almost! I'll throw some pics at you first, and then tell you about our stinky campground neighbors. ;) [I apologize for the pics!! I just can't figure out why they are so blurry!]

We hiked Tom's Run in Hearts Content; I think it was the best hike I've ever had! 

There were beautiful rocks and mossy boulders and such along Tom's Run. I loved absolutely every minute of it!

I don't know how far we could see, probably to heaven, but the trees were so many outstanding colors: from burgandy to mustard to pumpkin! I swear I've never seen such colors on trees!

Here I am! Happy times with the husband and dogs!!!

Matt and Ruby, jeez she is getting big!

Matt and his boy, Chief! Ever seen anyone happier?

So I told you I'd tell you about those rotten neighbors of ours, right? Ok. We have barky dogs, there's no denying that Ruby likes to announce the presence of any person, leaf, and breeze that passes through camp. We know it's annoying, and do our best to keep her quiet. But she is just a year old and still pretty immature. And, the worst part is we just don't know how to stop the barking. We think the neighbors across the "street" from us at the campground were annoyed with her. We went to bed early the first night as we were tired from driving and hiking. Not such a big deal, right? But a few hours after we had gone to sleep, I heard footsteps around the tent and somebody running their finger (or stick, maybe) along the side of the tent. The person walked around the tent three times, I counted, and was frozen with fear in my sleeping bag and couldn't even wake up Matt! When I heard the person walking down the drive, I woke up Matt and then our Jeep alarm went off! Weird, right? And then we heard the neighbors laughing and saying something about the alarm. Ugh. I was so freaked out I barely slept the rest of the night! So poo on stinky neighbors!

Regardless, our trip was fabulous! We left in the middle of the night on Saturday night/Sunday morning because it got down into the twenties and our bags weren't warm enough nor were the dogs warm enough! It was a fun ride home in the middle of the night and we were relieved to get home! Every camping trip is my favorite, but this one tops them all with the scenery, great trails and hiking, food, and beautiful weather (despite the cold nighttime temps)! 

Inspiration Comes Knocking Again!

I was at work today, busy doing my thing: folding clothes, when a lovely woman came in. We began talking about the logo on her fleece, some super athlete food company, and once again I gained inspiration from a customer! I thought for certain that she was in her early twenties, she looked so fit and healthy and young! We talked for some time, of course about clothes, but mostly about how she stayed in shape by riding her bike all of the time. She cross trains, walks, hikes, does it all. Then she told me she was 36 years old. . . only two years younger than me! Boy, did I feel like a lump! I am so out of shape and have really let myself go, ugh. I like to blame it on my meds, but for certain my almost complete lack of physical activity is the culprit. I want so badly to step it up and get in shape for the rest of my life. Not just for the marvelous hikes and adventures I want to take, but I want to make a real life change. It is so hard to do, and I can think of a million reasons why I would rather eat m&ms and drink soda all day. But it's time I made a change, or lots of changes for the better.
My first change, I've already decided, is not to go all gung ho (I'm not sure if that is even a word!) and starve myself and run ten miles every day (I don't think I'll ever be able to do that!). Instead I am going to make small changes; maybe one or two a week, and see what happens. I want to make life changes, not go on a diet that when I reach my goal I stop and gradually fall back into my old lazy bum ways. Ugh to that!
So how fabulous does all of that sound? I'm pretty excited myself!
Day one of the rest of my life starts tomorrow!!!!

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Or, well, at least I am getting a strong feeling that our campout in two weeks will be a wet one! It is "supposed" to rain a few days before we go and rain is also in the forecast for when we're camping and hiking. So here is my quote for what I'm going to do about it:
The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I am going to try really hard and just go with it. We'll pack our extra tarp and dry clothes, too, of course, and lots of games to play inside the tent, which we don't think has any leaks. (fingers crossed on that one, kids!) Earlier this summer when we were camping, it poured and we ended up coming home early. I definitely don't want to do that this time, especially since the kids won't be along and I would be the only complaining, you'd never catch my husband complaining about something like rain! I don't want to waste what could be a fabulous trip with a little sogginess!
I'm asking for some adventure before I turn forty next year, and if it comes in the shape of mud and rain, well, so be it! I'm trying really hard to build up a positive attitude that lasts through the campout. I'll say my prayers and keep all fingers and toes crossed.

I feel like the fortune I got last night with our Chinese puts into words exactly what I've been trying to do with this new focus in my life! Not that I don't want to plan for tomorrow, because I definitely want us to be secure, but I do want to live how I've dreamed of living - now, not tomorrow or ten years down the road. I went to be an adventurer now. I want to love and live in the outdoors as much as I can now. I want to spend time in the wilderness with my family now.
My husband and son are going on a scouting campout this weekend and then next weekend it is my turn!!! I don't care if it is going to be wet, we'll have a great time loving the rain and weather and nature and Fall beauty! So I'm going to do it, now, not later and not never!