Monday, August 13, 2012

Gone Camping

There I am unibrow, frizz and all.
In my head, I am the type of girl who camps. After all, I love travel and the outdoors. I did Semester at Sea in college and some of my best memories are sleeping out on the deck at night in a sleeping bag or exploring a new country with a small backpack and not much else. Today we’re on our way to Yellowstone National Park we’re we will be camping for the next week but I’m thinking I’m not really the camping type, maybe I’ve changed. And I realize I'm not off on a solo expedition to Antarctica, so why the nerves?

It’s not the food, the outfitter we’re going with is known to have delicious meals. I feel comfortable navigating most food situations and I informed them I’m wheatless and that will not be a problem. I’ll also have some EBoost, wild salmon jerky Hail Merry, Cocochia, Bars (Pure and Zing) with us for hikes and bike rides.


So what is it, you may be wondering that’s making me apprehensive?

First, I know how to ride a bike but I am not someone who grew up riding a bike to friend’s houses. I have a bike I purchased this summer to brush up and I’ve been on it a bit but not on roads with major hills and possibly cars. I’m fine skiing and running and hiking for hours but the biking thing is throwing me off. Let’s hope it’s “just like riding a bike”.

Second, as natural and wholesome as the food I cook and select is I’m really not au naturel in general. The hair isn’t wash and go, more like blow dry and flat iron. Even though I don’t wear a lot of make up, other than when exercising, I don’t really go without it. And I’m tight with my magnifying mirror. Can one tweeze in a tent?

While we travel a fair amount, I’ve come to realize I replicate my comfort zone in most places. I’ve found juice shops in Europe (hard but they’re there) and organic food in New Orleans. As you may know, I have a collection of coolers for transporting food and a jar of strong, fair trade ground coffee comes to most hotel rooms. This trip I will not be able to seek things out, it is what it is coffee and all.

My favorite antidote to trepidation is neurotically over-preparing so that’s what I’ve done. I have travel sized everything (unscented because bugs like scents). I have dry shampoo, every version of a wipe including one from MD Skincare that “cleanses, tones and moisturizes”. I have Zyflammend nighttime to help me sleep (another fear, tent sleeping), I have a backup phone battery and a solar powered charger thingy despite the lack of cell service. Plus bug stuff, altitude stuff, cut stuff. And because 10 trips to Patagonia and Eastern Mountain Sports didn’t completely calm me, I googled. I googled camping hair and “tying a bandana” (never can get it right), if only there was an online camping therapy site, I would’ve signed up.

So why did I plan this trip I’m clearly not cut out for? Because part of me thought it sounded beyond amazing and though time has passed since my outdoorsy days, I haven’t changed all that much. I recall wearing wedge sneakers as I trekked through the Blue Mountains in India way back when. I couldn't resist these, campfire chic.
Do you like to camp? Any advice? Anything you've done lately you were nervous about? 
I'll post in a week (no computer in the tent) and have lots of fun posts coming in September.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. My mother saw and said "who needs to look nice?"



21 comments:

  1. Have a great trip! You'll see amazing things. And as long as the outfitter has some decent wine to go with the delicious meals, all well go well. :)

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  2. I love that you are going camping ! IN fact, I'm jealous. I haven't camped in YEARS. While I am in many ways like you (I need a hair dryer or my hair is crazy...literally) I enjoy being free from technology for a bit, and becoming one with the outdoors :)
    HAVE FUN!

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  3. Agree and I think before you go on a trip often you are not connected to the beauty/good things. There will be wine, I read that in the brochure, ha.

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  4. Jealous Gina? It will be interesting. Would be more interesting if I didn't think the whole family was getting sick. It just seems I'm being stripped of technology, good hair, privacy and indoor plumbing all at once. I'll be ok, thanks for the encouragement. when is the wedding?

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  5. Although I grew up in Colorado I have never been the camping type. No showers and sleeping in a tent are just not appealing. I love the IDEA of camping though... the trips I was offered were more DIY. Maybe going with an outfitter is the way to go. I can't wait for an update! (And I love your slippers.)

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  6. That is essential! Thinking more about your post, I can identify with the pre-trip anxiety. Any time we travel I get nervous about forgetting things and I remind myself that I an lucky enough to be able to afford to buy whatI forgot, it it's that important. Making lists is my best tactic for managing pre-trip jitters. The trouble I have is with managing the transition: the whole first day I worry about the dog, work, the apartment etc etc. I really do need a full day of letting go. And once I relax, don't ask about reentry after vacation...

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  7. I hear you jenna, it's the idea that sold me and now I'm rethinking it. They are actually shoes, hard bottom ha ha I can wear them to work :)

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  8. and that's it exactly, I don't know what I'm forgetting. I didn't realize how similar we are. I'm good when I can plan and when it's unknown...anxiety. Where's that wine?

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  9. I've never been camping, but would definitely love to give it a try. I think I would enjoy it but can't confirm whether I'm the camping type, will have to get back to you. I think completely disconnecting is needed since you're always "on" it will do you some good to turn "off". On vaca my hotel had no wi-fi and I was forced to disconnect, gave me anxiety at first but then realized life does go on.
    Good luck with the biking! Have a fabulous trip, look forward to the recap! ps: Salmon jerky? cool.

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  10. Thanks Vanessa, I actually love jerky (weird admission). There are good grass-fed beef jerky options and this salmon jerky is soy sauce-less (hard to find). Get back to me on the camping.

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  11. 10 years later, yes, we are very similar! :)

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  12. You will have a great time, just take a deep breath and don't worry...and in the famous words it is what it is...and I think it will be amazing :)

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  13. Camping is not for me. I admire those who camp but I simply need comfort in order to have a good time on a trip! Sad but true.

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  14. OMG, had to laugh reading this. It could have been me. I love the idea of a challenge and that's what you set for yourself. My very best and most relaxing vacation ever was hiking and mountain biking (I had never done either before) in Belize, staying in places with no electricity and limited water. Go with it girl, relax, and enjoy it. It's going to be amazing.

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  15. Oh geez...the thought of camping terrifies me. I also JUST learned how to ride a bike (I know), so that would freak me out the most!
    By the way, where is your wild salmon jerky from? I would love grab some!

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  16. You're going to have a great time and have wonderful memories. I look forward to hearing about it all. I'm sure you'll be surprised to find that I can go days without washing my unruly 25 pounds of hair or taking a shower. I enjoy camping and being out in the country or the mountains, so naturally I think you're going to have a whiz bang time of it!!! Good luck!

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  17. Andrea@WellnessNotesAugust 15, 2012 at 6:12 AM

    I haven't been camping in many, many years. I used to take my older son camping when he was little (starting when he was one, which wasn't the greatest idea), but we haven't taken the kid yet. I like the contrast camping provides to my "normal life." I like appreciating all the little conveniences again and also realizing that I don't need certain things.

    I hope you are having a great trip!

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  18. Andrea, you nailed it. We are back in Jackson Hole and you really realize what you need (warm clothes, toothbrush, food, coffee) and what you don't.

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  19. Sam @ Mom At The BarreAugust 22, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    I don't like to camp. I'm more of a comfort-loving gal and camping is not comfortable for me!


    You've been to India? We must discuss at our next meet-up. It's been too long, lets do it soon!

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  20. shockingly got it at Pategonia, didn't eat it yet though. We had too much fresh food.

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  21. When I read this comment it made me less nervous. I love the trip and also went to Belize this past spring.

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