Slept 10 hours last night. Can’t remember the last time I did that. I don’t think I budged the whole night. Sometimes on these trips I may hit up to 36 hours without sleep on the way out there or back. 2-3 hour time change screws up your sleeping patterns and you may have some nights when the wind keeps you up or something crunching the ground around your tent (we found some big cat tracks our first night). I rarely worry about apex predators when I camp. Bears tend to leave you alone and if we have big cats here they hide really well. Boars are an interesting option I’ve seen one while hiking. I’d rather run up on a bear than a boar. Plus I camped with a friend of mine so two guns are better than one although I kept reminding Shane to watch his shooting projectary since I was usually right above him.

Next time I want to take a before and after pic of my face when I go camping. I spent a week in dust and dirt, cold winds and hot winds. Took two showers in nine days with the occasional man wipe bath and my skin and face is always clearer when I get back. I’m not saying all mainstream soaps are toxic but my skincare routine is splashing cold water on my face from Nalgene and wiping it dry with a bandana. Also this is a different kind of stress.

It’s intentional. Your body needs this type of thing to make you feel alive.

We spent 6 days in the “outback” of Utah. That lifestyle grabs me around day 3. The first couple of days you’re sort of walking around feeling yourself out. Adjusting to no electricity and keeping your water supply in the back of your mind. I spilled some ramen water on night which meant I could have coffee in the am or clean crockery not both. Can’t have dirty dishes hanging out in the wild so I sacrificed coffee until we hit town later that day. You begin to adapt to your setup, you get your muscle memory working and you modify your habits around your environment. Your mise en place is created and honed. Awning is in the right spot for the afternoon sun, you’ve made the perfect campfire ring of rocks and may even have your close line stretched to dry your soiled bandanas. I often think of the wagons that used to cross these same trails. The mess set ups, campfires and tales told around them. I sometimes think I’m chasing that dream from a previous life. I love the western deserts, the majestic Rockies, the smell of her pines. If life and family weren’t calling my heart back I’d spend my life by those campfires. This was the first trip that I came back wishing for more. It’s a tough lifestyle but man does it feel good to get out of your comfort zone. My Bud Shane seemed to enjoy it which was my other goal to shed some of the joy I get when I do these trips. Miss that guy already. Friendships are worth their weight in gold. I’d encourage grabbing an old friend and going on an adventure. Life’s never too late to live like college roommates for a bit in the wild. You can’t take this away from me. Good memories build good solid mental routines. I keep climbing that feeling.

10/10 recommend

I’m looking forward to getting back to my deli. Big orders have already started rolling in. My two guys took care of business while I was gone and the real runner of the business (Jess) kept the deli smooth. I’m just the charcuterie and face yall. The wife pulls the strings. Resets are always good for my soul. I went two years without a significant time to rest. I said I wouldn’t go that long again but opening a business takes one year of your life. I’m on business number 7. 7 of my 53 years sacrificed for trying new business things.

Spring sprung big while I was away. Everything turned green. You take for granted the beauty and color of this area when you live here. Spend some time in the plains and desert. Hiked 7 miles with almost no shade in Escalante. It was only 85° but dry heat and exposure can sneak up on you. You take sweating for granted here. When we reached that 130 foot waterfall it was like outdoor air conditioning when it’s mist hits your face. We dipped our bandanas in the cold water and tied them around our necks. Just like you see in those old westerns.

I heard a quote last night that made me smile. It’s as shallow as it reads and yet it hit like a stone to my head-

“Stop doing stupid things that make you feel life sucks”

Sound advice

Peace and elbow grease. Come see me yall.