With Independence Day smack dab in the middle of our upcoming escape from work, our trek into unexplored territory represents sort of an independence week manifested as 46 steep miles in pursuit of backcountry happiness.
I can’t remember if I’d previously blogged about my hopes to have YaYa come along on this upcoming adventure. Given the difficulty, elevation change, total mileage of the trip, as well as his limited availability to train, it seemed unlikely that he’d be ready – but I had to try. Add sleepovers, summer camps, and injuries to the picture and unlikely quickly transforms into inconceivable.
I’d know a great deal before the decision was made. I just didn’t have the heart to put the kibosh on plans. I had dreamt of a real bonding experience for YaYa, theMan, and myself and I didn’t want to be the one to let it go. Besides that, YaYa wanted to go – or at least that was what he said.
Until, we all gathered for dinner to discuss the logistics for the big adventure. The loop, 46 miles in total, climbs from 5035′ at the trailhead to 11,978′ midway, then back down. Bears, snakes, lots of mosquitoes, 6 days (5 nights) of mostly-dehydrated eats, and breathtaking backcountry to fully revitalize your soul. Daunting as it might sound, compared to the daily demands and bustling pace of my daily life, this get away translated to divine in my mind. But that’s just me, and, unlike YaYa, I’m NOT on summer holiday.
YaYa sat quietly, absorbing the information as he nibbled on his dinner. By the time we finished, his a stomach ached and his head throbbed; as his mind digested both the excitement and concerns discussed, his body refused to digest the food eaten. A short while later he acknowledged that he was NOT ready to take on the trip.
Fortunately, Plan B is pretty enticing: Other kids his age, theme parks, fireworks, homemade (fully hydrated) meals, and a soft bed (or floor) to sleep on. We are ALL so excited, we can hardly stand it.