I got my first ticket, also my boss at work pulled the rug out from under me and told me to do something that wasn't correct. He's taking the blame, kind of, but there are some folks that still think I'm the one to blame... grrrrrr...
This little guy should put a smile on your face...
-------------- "Ah, Colorado: the one place in America where people wake up earlier on weekends than workdays." ~Mark Obmascik
"In the high country that we love, trails are steep. We climb each mile, breath by breath, and at the threshold of pain, bliss overtakes us. ~Michael Hannon"
Your posts of your youngest one to hit the trails has brought many a smile to me after a long, rough day. I'm sorry that you had a tough week, but this little one is a reminder of why everything ugly in life makes it all worthwhile. You have so much personal wealth that balances out and exceeds most anyones dreams. Prayers are heading your way!
I have been trying to figure out how to pull this off - taking an infant backpacking being no easy feat. But I knew if I planned and packed carefully and found a good friend to help me carry gear that I could pull it off. I was initially thinking a place like May Lake in Yosemite would be the ideal first BP trip - only 1.2 miles in and amenities like toilets and tables. But trying to get everything coordinated and friends lined up to go up to Yosemite was proving to be too complicated. Then Serpicorabbit told me he was up in my neighborhood for a week and one thing led to another and we planned an easy local overnight trip to take the baby.
The weather was fantastic - though there was a 50% chance of thunderstorms, I knew such storms were popping up more in the eastern end of the mountains, and were usually done by 2:00 pm. So we headed to the western end. It was warm but with a nice cool breeze now and then and the canyon is mostly shady. At night it got down to maybe 60* - we didn't even really need a sleeping bag really.
I'd hiked this trail before, down a beautiful wooded canyon with a stream and pretty waterfall next to a heart-shaped pothole. I knew such a pretty locale was bound to have at least one campsite, though it's a very steep little canyon. And sure enough, about 1/4 mile past the heart rock there is one on the eastern bank, a good LNT distance from the creek. What wasn't LNT about the campsite was somebody built a lean-to and there was an illegal fire ring. We dismantled the ring before we left - the shelter we left up.
After we set up camp and ate lunch, we then rock-hopped further down the canyon, as the trail pretty much peters out at the heart rock. Tater fell asleep while I was rock hopping, which surprised me because no doubt he was getting jostled around a bit. But the inside of the pack is fleece lined so I guess it was a good spot to lay his head
The pack I used to carry him is a Kelty given to me by Serpicorabbit - his sister used it for one of her kids, but just barely as it's good as new. It was pretty comfortable carrying Tater and I also carried our two sleeping bags, my sleeping pad and chair kit, nursing pillow, poncho/tarp, clothes, and diapers and toiletries. Serpicorabbit carried the baby's sleeping pad, two tents, the stove and filter, and the bear can with the food.
After our excursion down canyon we ate dinner and had a relaxing evening. The owls, spotted and great-horned, started calling almost as soon as the sun went down. We then heard a bunch of thunder in the distance but thankfully the storm stayed away. We heard all sorts of other critters that night as well - I didn't sleep well because something was constantly rustling about in the leaves! At one point we saw an owl land just above our heads... it was very cool.
Tater woke just before sunrise so I nursed him and then tried to keep him quiet and occupied in the tent. That worked for about 45 minutes. Then we got out and I tried to keep him quiet - that lasted maybe a half hour. I knew Serpicorabbit liked to sleep in, but Tater wasn't having none of that! He wanted him up. So Serpicorabbit finally crawled out of his tent and then the baby was quiet after that, lol
We ate breakfast, packed up, and headed out. We found a "short-cut" on the way out, but it was steep, and my calves are still sore! But soon enough we were back at the car and our trip was a success! I am so happy to have a new little backpacking partner And I feel so blessed that he is a good baby who loves being outside, and I have such a wonderful friend and hiking partner, who not only carried the bulk of the gear, but even packed out the dirty diapers (triple-bagged, lol)
The funny bit is that about 1 hour after I posted that I had to go and get my cat (not the one in the photo...) because we had a sudden violent downpour and she is not all that good at jumping fences and gates anymore. she is over 20 and was sunbathing over the neighbour's car port and yes she did get wet...
Your posts of your youngest one to hit the trails has brought many a smile to me after a long, rough day. I'm sorry that you had a tough week, but this little one is a reminder of why everything ugly in life makes it all worthwhile. You have so much personal wealth that balances out and exceeds most anyones dreams. Prayers are heading your way!
Yes, he makes life worthwhile.
Of course it helps things along when he sleeps through the night
I agree with others, look at the beautiful pictures of your baby outside enjoying life. Forget the boss, be careful to not get another ticket, enjoy life. Happiness starts with a smile. Have a good weekend.
It won't be your last crummy day at work, but just around the next bend in the trail is bound to be something to make you smile. Forget last week and have fun today. Next week will probably be fine.
-------------- "Travel suggestions from strangers are like dancing lessons from God." -Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
That really sounds like a definate bummer of a day. Think of it as a down payment on a good day, according to the law of averages.
I posted this in another thread a while back, but it always makes me laugh. This version has teletext, so you can sing along
I nearly passed out laughing at the "AIIEEEEEEE!!" part
-------------- I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. -- Galileo
Now I really need cheering up - just now somewhat recovering from a stomach bug That's twice in the last week and a half - last week I got carsick and a bad migraine while trying to be a PIO on a wildfire Yeah, it's not been my week...
Thanks. 
Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
