We have slowly throughout the winter months been collecting gear. I think it was our way of coping with the Iowa winter, though it was very mild this year. We packed. By we I mostly mean Jason. Jason packed. I threw some things in my beautiful hiking backpack like a sweat shirt, a book, my sleep sack, (which took up nearly ALL the space in my bag), and several waterproof bags. Other than my book I'm not sure what I was even going to put in the waterproof bags. We stopped at a local sporting goods store to pick out my hiking boots. My ankles have been sprained several times over so I felt a good pair of boots were important. I picked out a lovely pair of boots. We grabbed some salmon to throw in the fire once we got to camp.
 |
| Jason showing of the waterproofyness of his boots |
After a short drive we arrived at our destination. Indian Bluffs wildlife management area. Jason had a few camp locations scouted out. We decided to go for Chimney Rock. Jason discovered his pack was significantly heavier than it felt in the living room. I discovered that a pack waistbelt buckled midway though my belly is not a flattering look for me. Our hike in was just shy of a mile. I felt awed by the landscape. We made the trek down a rather large "hill". At the bottom of this hill was a beautiful shallow sand botttom stream. I was midway though the stream when I realized the boots I spent an hour picking out were NOT waterproof. Luckily our camp site was only a stone's throw away.
We had just enough time to get camp set up, clean some stream water, gather fire wood, and start the fire before night fell. I spent the rest of the evening wearing Jason's (two sizes too large for Jenni) watershoes. My boots were on sticks near the fire in hopes that they would be dry by morning. We wrapped the salmon in foil and threw it in the fire. I cut up a lime and some cilantro. Jason made some potato leek soup. Dinner was delicious. We read our books by the campfire until bed time.
A two man tent is an interesting thing. It does technically fit two people. If they lie on their backs with their arms at their sides. Conveniently, sleeping bags too are made for people who lie on their backs with their arms at their sides. The sleeping bag making people are surely in cahouts with the tent making people. I find that turning from one side to another in a sleeping bag is an admirable feat that only the ninja ( and a select few master campers) has accomplished. The sleeping mat I used was great. I did however still have to change sides every hour or so due to numbness and pain at pressure spots. I think I punched Jason in the face several times whilst turning over.What do people with bad backs do if they also love camping? I didn't sleep much. Neither did Jason. I expected there to be a plethora of night time wilderness noises. The only noises I heard were the owls. I heard those owls make some sounds I have never heard an owl make before. Several times the noises sounded like laughter followed by a rather intense argument.
 |
| Nettles, mmm |
 |
| New Bug |
 |
| Chimney Rock view from the bottom |
By morning a few coals were burning in the fire. We picked some nettles to go into our scrambled eggs and bacon. Over coffee and breakfast we talked about our plan for the short time we had left in the woods. After breakfast (the nettles were a wonderful addition!) we got dressed and packed up camp. I want to note that it feels great to stand naked in the woods. Really great. In fact that may have been one of my favorite parts of the whole experience. After finally putting clothes back on we hiked over to Chimney Rock. This required that I wear the water shoes to the other side of the stream and then get into my hiking boots. Chimney rock was neat to see up close. I found a bug that I have never seem before. Back to camp to get water for our hike out. Off with the hiking boots, on with the water shoes. Jason and I spent some time trying to trouble shoot the hand pump for the water. Turns out it was an easy fix and we shortly had enough water to get us out of the woods. Back on with the hiking boots. I should point out that here is where I sat down and cried. I had a really steep hill to climb ahead of me. My back was hurting. I had a cut on my foot that hiking through water was not helping. I also probably needed some chocolate.
 |
| one cedar log over a 50 drop enables people to get to "the other side" |
I made it up the hill with no more tears but a fair amount of complaining ( mostly thoughts in my head since I was too winded to speak ). We decided to drop our packs for a bit and walk the top of Chimney Rock cliffside. It was very beautiful. However, I get sicky being up that high. I can't help but think of the drop down and how easy it would be to fall. I loose my stomach like other people do when on a roller coaster and I have to just sit down. Sometimes I kinda have to crawl. Jason had a good time up there though. Aside from the part where I bitched at him the whole time to be careful. The hike out was lovely since we had the hard part behind us. The land was beautiful and quiet.
My number one priority was to get back to the sporting goods store and see if they would take my boots back in exchange for an actually waterproof pair. To my surprise and relief they accepted. I found a very similar pair of boots that came in waterproof, or so says the tag anyway. I need to put them on and stand in the tub for awhile. After I got my boots picked out we decided to check out the camping section. While looking through their water filtration systems and water bottles Jason made an interesting find. He pulled a bottle off the shelf that already had liquid in it. I bet him that it was piss. Upon removing the lid Jason made the discovery that is was in fact a piss filled water bottle. He notified the store folks and they came in droves to the water bottle aisle to check it out. They were really shocked and appalled. I wonder if the perp flopped his junk on every bottle, but only peed in one. So, as my public service announcement for the day, wash your brand new things that you buy from the store. Someone may have stuck their bits in it, on it, or around it.
No comments:
Post a Comment