Last year when I went hiking with Daniel Olsen, I met some backpackers on the trail, and I had an epiphany. I realized that backpacking is one of my all-time favorite things in life, and if I don’t force the issue to make it happen, it just wont happen. Not long after that hike, I decided that every year for Father’s Day I am going to go on a weekend backpacking trip. It could be just me, the whole family, something in-between, or even something with additional friends and family, but I would be going.
This year, I had two dreams come true at the same time. Not only did I get to go on a backpack, but my dad flew out to Raleigh to join us. My memories backpacking with my dad as a kid are some of the happiest of my life, and I haven’t been on a backpacking trip with him in 15 years. To have him come out to be on this one meant everything to me and I thoroughly enjoyed every second with him.
Today, we decided to keep our campsite and do a day-hike. Backpacking is so much constant work and logistics, and staying in the same spot meant we could take it easier and enjoy the day more.
In the morning, Ammon was being silly in the tent (presumably while my dad and I cooked). I think Ammon was pretending to be a slug.
Scenes around camp:
After breakfast, my dad and I washed dishes in this river. I have great memories washing dishes and pumping water in rivers with my dad after eating, and it was so fun to share that experience with him again. This is probably the prettiest river we’d ever done dishes in with the rhododendrons in bloom and with pedals everywhere. Ammon and Clarissa also spent a lot of time playing in this river that was right next to our camp.
Day Hike:
Today for our day hike we continued downward on the Laurel Flats trail until we came to a waterfall, ate and turned around. On the day hike, Clarissa was absorbed in telling people all about fairies. She said this trail “is very fairy” and she talked on and on, and on, about fairies, their habitats, girl fairies, boy fairies, how they live in roots, how they avoid danger etc., etc. Clarissa was so inspired that she said when she got home, she wanted to make a book about fairies. And sure enough, she started one!
Lydia was equally absorbed in telling everyone all about her Brandon Sanderson book Wind and Truth, which she was sad to be apart from, but she said telling people about the book on the trail was one of her favorite parts of the trip.
Scenes from the hike back to camp:
My favorite moment from the entire trip was swimming with my dad. I have many memories as a kid feeling my dad and I were so tough because we would swim in Uintah lakes made from ice-melt. This water was a little warmer, I think 48 degrees, but it was still definitely brisk. My dad’s inner child was on full display as he swam, floated and enjoyed himself in the refreshing water. I also had a great swim. The reason why this moment was so special for me is my dad was so happy, just like a kid. He commented afterwards just how much he loved swimming. I think it may have been his favorite moment from the trip!
At night we had tune noodle helper (improvised from stroganoff kits because Harris Teeter apparently no longer sells Tuna Noodle Helper), and as usual, it was a total hit. Basil was being cute in the evening because we weren’t allowing him in the tent for a while, so he lay down on the side of the tent, causing the the tent to bend in a way that allowed him to more-or-less be with his people.
Today was a great day!