First ever experience with a Bear in camp while backpacking

This is a story from back in the Summer that I am just now getting around to writing about.  It's not often that I get to sit and write when I get back and with the hell of a year that 2020 was, it slipped past me.  So here is the highlights.

Well, we're home... It was a hot and humid, a shock for a July 4th weekend. Went to a place I've hiked with my brother in the past, a short downhill hike to a nice open site near a creek on the Thunder Swamp Trail. Only a mile and a half down. Steven was a rock star, was super looking forward to it. Amanda was thrilled to carry her new pack... within 5 minutes, the complaining started. She turned it around in camp and made me a really happy backpacking father my sitting with my wife and going over the map to discuss where we were going the next day.

Not more than a few minutes went by, the dogs went crazy, took off to the edge of the site, to greet a bear. A freaking bear. The dogs didn't seem to phase him/her much. The bear turned and went off. As we were contemplating what to do, the bear showed up again within 10 feet of my hammock. At that moment, it was decided that it could be a troubled bear, habituated to the site, and we did the NASCAR packing pit stop and we were out of there. Was getting very dark and there was a panic in the air. We bolted uphill to the car without a complaint.

We passed one other campsite, there was no one there, an smoldering fire was going and three tents were flat. I don't know if they were collapsed from a bear or they were never set up. I don't know if they were gone cause of the bear, or what. There were no other cars in the parking lot.

Steven was disappointed because he was very happy with our site and to be out camping. He got to use his survival kit to try and saw some wood. Without fail, Amanda had to poo in the woods, she's a trooper. The kids had Ramen and we had Beef Stroganoff. He was happy to stay, which is shocking, Amanda talked about the bear the whole hike back.

Stephanie

blew out her voice making noise the whole way up.

The ride home included tired kids, tired dogs, an amped up Stephanie and various displays of fireworks everywhere. We were a little disappointed to leave, but feel as thought it was the right thing to do. Stephanie's not sure of her future backpacking trips, but she's optimistic.

I thought that was the end of the camping season for my wife, but she knows how much it means to me and she loves the adventure as much as I do. So she picked another place the next day and we were off. This time car camping, but without any luxuries. We found a place that was nice and out in the middle of nowhere for us and we went. Once there we headed off to a swimming hole (Sullivan Falls) that we never knew about and it was amazing. The water was very cold and I was very nervous having the kids just wandering around the slippery rocks, but they were enjoying themselves and to me, it has to be most important thing. No one got hurt and they were having a blast. No electronics, no distractions, just mother nature's playground. It was great. At the end of a dirt road and we were there. Swimming holes, water falls, cool rock features, it had it all. The only downside was we didn't get there early enough and the daylight started to fade. We grabbed takeout at a local bar and headed back to camp. Set up the tent, got a fire going and had a great dinner. Kids were pooped and so were we.

I'm very happy that we didn't let a scary thing ruin the weekend. We got ourselves back on track and headed back out there. The way it should be.

First Solo Overnight trip on the AT and a Wintery Weather Advisory

 I've been wanting to get out of the house and go backpacking since the failed overnight trip we took with the kids where the bear decided to ruin our dinner party.  I love camping in the Winter, the fire's more enjoyable, the skies are clearer, no bugs and less people... in this case, no people.

Last night was the last night where I could do something with my kids in the woods, or apparently myself, during the extended holiday break.  We spent the day doing two small day hikes, which wetted the appetite for more.  The weather was nice and the trails were muddy but we got out and enjoyed ourselves.  Well I wanted to see if my son, 11, wanted to go but it was getting dark and I wasn't going to get to where I wanted to go until well past 10 and he just wasn't up for it.  I decided, I'm just going to go.  My youngest daughter didn't want me to go alone.  She's not much of a camper and as I was heading out the door she was grabbing her coat and when I asked her what she was doing, she merely stated that I'm took old to go alone and she's going with me.  I assured her I'd be fine and that she couldn't go because I hadn't packed anything for her and it was late.  With tears in her eyes I assured her I'd be fine and off I went. 

It's one night, I'm an adult dammit and not scared of shadows in the woods!  An adult maybe but still scared...  

My first choice was going to be the Rausch Gap shelter on the Appalachian Trail but after getting close to the trailhead, the road took me through a military training area that I wasn't even sure I was supposed to be and then the road went to dirt and became steep.  I decided with the Winter Weather Advisory, that I wasn't aware of until I was on the road, that it wasn't going to be a good idea to try that road in any kind of weather.  So I went to plan B... and then C... and then finally decided that it was going to be plan D that was going to do the trick. 

I was already in the area and Peter's Mountain Shelter was nearby, a short walk in, a familiar place and somewhere I could drive out of if there was any kind of weather that amounted to much.  Arriving at the trailhead at 11, not exactly what I wanted to do, I packed up, took a breath and headed into the dark.  The trail, as many in PA do, went mostly straight up the side of the ridge.  The trail crew did an amazing job of building rock stairs for most of the trail.  This side trail was named, Victoria Trail, and was very nice.  With a bright flashlight in tow I plowed on.  With every step I got more and more comfortable with my decision.  I really was looking forward to getting to the shelter.  It's a very nice respite from the weather and a little piece of security.  With in an hour and a half I was there.

I'm not s little guy and was sweating even in the 20's.  Got into my bedtime dry clothes, set up my sleeping bag and tried to get to sleep.  I was still a bit jazzed up from the hike in so sleep wasn't right away on tap, but it came with time.  I was very cozy in my Big Agnes sleeping bag and Sea to Summit Winter pad.  There was no wind so it was very still.  I think I eventually drifted off around 2:30 and was in and out until 8:30 where I found the comfy spot and was out for an hour. 

Reluctantly I got out of the cocoon of a warm sleeping bag and made some breakfast.  Dehydrated Mountain House eggs never tasted so good or felt so good going down.  I took some photos, packed up and started to head out.  We had some stray blasts of ice pellets over the early morning hours so there was some traces of Winter but nothing exciting.  I was walking into a fog as the temps were raising a little.  The rain started intermittently on my way down to the car.  Nothing I needed rain gear for but enough to keep it interesting.  So different going down a trail and actually being able to see where you're going then being in the dark the night before.

Back to the car 20 minutes faster than the way up, which isn't a surprise.  I only slipped once, thought for sure that I was going to throw my back out but it was still good.  The car is always a nice sight to behold, especially when the weather is turning.  It's also a downturn as the main portion of the trip is over.  But I now know I can do it.  I've done it, without issue.  So the next time I want to get out, I can without worrying who will join me.

Maine Family Road Trip

We try to get to Maine every year or every other, but sometimes life gets in the way and other trips get in the way, so it's been a while.  Speaking of life getting in the way, this trip was from July and I just am not getting around to writing about it. 

My children are eight and ten, both have their own mindsets, abilities and things they enjoy.  Rarely do all of those things work together.  But it seems that whenever we get away, away from stuff, tech and comfort, it seems to really blend.  Normally the road trip is what drives me insane because they want to be there "now" and so do I, but you cannot rush through the wonderful New England area, just so much to take in and enjoy.

We ended up stopping on the way up at an off the beaten track hotel, with a pool, wifi and breakfast.  The kids were thrilled, but not greedy, which was a nice change of pace.  They were happy, appreciative and enjoyed being there.  We paid next to nothing for the room considering that we got a suite with two king size beds, one twin in a separate room and the above mentioned amenities.  My wife and I did some work while the kids snacked and played or watched TV.  Everyone got a good nights sleep and we got up and made our way further down the road to Maine.

It was a great drive, kids were happy, weather was nice, scenery was great.  My parents were meeting us in Maine, a first for them, and I was excited but terrified as to what the week would hold in store for us.  I wanted to do certain things with my kids and parents, but wasn't really sure what they had in mind.  They more or less said, whatever you want to do, but we're fine staying put.  We got there later than they did, they had already checked in to Eagle Lodge and Camps, a wonderful sportsman's camp in the fairly remote area of Lincoln, ME.  Weather couldn't be better.  The forecast looked amazing.  Unpacked and settled in, the kids already found the lake, fishing poles and paddle boat.  They were living their dream and so was I, I've always wanted them to enjoy the things I do.



The week involved a lot of baiting hooks and removing blue gills from hooks.  My kids, to my surprise and shock, love to fish, at least they did there.  My daughter said she was going to catch that big bass, every day we were there.  The camp owners have children my children's age and both were more than happy to see each other and have someone new to play with.  It was great to see them bond, they immediately were making plans to return and see their friend's that they've known for all of 20 hours again.

My wife had one goal, relax, and she did just that.

I had relaxation, exploration and photography on my mind.



I never got to do some of the many things I try to pack into a trip, like taking my dad to Baxter State Park, or a wilderness area in the general Lincoln area, but that's ok.  He had a good time.  They spent a lot of time bonding with our kids, we got to explore on the way to the camps places none of us have ever been to, ironically ran into people that grew up near us when they were younger.  I find it always to be a small world when you travel, whether 1000 miles away or 100, you can always run into someone you live close to back home.

The only downside, none of us realized that we were booked for one day earlier.  So when my wife said she wished she had one more day, we actually did, but instead stayed at a hotel.  A lesson for next time.

Really struggling the last few days

I don't know what it is.  If it's me or I'm actually in the right and they're behaving like complete morons.

The past few days has been full of disobedience, back talking, complete disrespect and not a care to do anything.  I don't know how to handle it.  I have always thought of myself as the rational person, someone who could keep a cool head with kids when they were acting up.  That's not the case anymore.  I lose my shit every time they do anything.

My son tells me I act like my father, which drives me insane because my dad flew off the handle like no one's business and yelled before ever knowing what was going on.  The kind of attitude where you yell first, and never apologize.

My wife feels as though they were just having fun.  Being kids.  But my daughter ran through a screen door and the other ones were pounding through the house, stomping feet, slamming doors, etc.  They leave their food everywhere.  Turn a light on in a room and never go back.  I'm miserable.  I'm stressed out.  I have no control of anything.  It's infuriating.

I'm sure thousands of parents feel just like me, some just give up, some fight the same fight day in and out, but I don't want that.  I want it to be fixed, I want the son that would help me do projects.  I want the daughter back who would run to my arms when I came home, screaming "Daddy!".

Yes, they're older, but not by much from when these things happened.  Anymore it's, "I don't care", "I want", "you get to do it, why can't we?"

Something has to change but I don't know what it is.  I've been nice, mean, hard, rewarding, happy, goofy, etc.  Gifts have been given, things taken away.  But nothing seems to work.

Kids, right?

Boy they can be fickle.

Been struggling to figure out my son since he was a baby.  He would sleep on my chest everyday when he was a baby, my daughter wouldn't think of it when she was.  He now hates sleep, and is an early riser, my daughter is a late night machine and would sleep until 1:00 in the afternoon if you let her.  Up until this point neither one of them would want to lift a hand to help around the house without constantly bringing up the topic.  Recently my son went through something that appears to have changed him, for the better.  He had a lot of questions and we were open and as honest as we could be, for his age.  After years of struggling with potty problems, he got a stomach bug and it cleaned him out good.  He was afraid to fart without being on the potty.  But then that came to a close and he was having issues again.  For whatever reason he's back being on the mend.  We upped his ADHD meds per the doctor, not something I'm for but it's still a very small dosage and his attitude is and has been remarkable to say the least.  I don't want him on medicine.  I'm on medicine and hate the fact that I have to take it.  I don't want him to be in the same boat but if it makes him more positive and live a happier life, than so be it.

Tonight, my son didn't want to watch a movie with us, I cannot say I blame him since it was a rerun of Overboard, which was pretty okay in the end for a rerun.  He ended up watching the whole thing, getting hooked in at about a third of the way in.  He wanted to watch the Goonie's for the fifth time, cannot blame him on that either, but we didn't want to rent it.  It was nice to enjoy the movie with him, no fights with his sister, no arguing, just good family time.  After the movie he wanted to find out about earning more money for chores and my wife said he could load the dishwasher and he did without hesitation, and even asked for help on how to load it the right way.

I'm not saying it's the end all be all that he's made the switch, as we speak he's fighting to go to bed, but it's a good day and that's all I can ask and hope for I suppose.

Harriman State Park Overnight - Visitor's Center to Stone Memorial Shelter

Somehow I found a weekend where I could skip out and get in the woods for a short trip.  My brother and I chose a oldie but goodie in Harriman State Park in New York state.  We chose a completely different place to go versus the other time's we've been to the park.  It was a cold, windy and brisk day, much to our surprise it was jammed with people.  It's an easy get away from the nearby metropolis and people flock there on just about every weekend possible.  I'm glad it gets used but at the same time it's a little hard to find parking and it's rare that you're not sharing the trail with dozens of people.  There's tons to see and places to go, trails everywhere, along with views and natural wonders.

We hiked from the visitor center to Pine Meadow Lake and then to the Stone Memorial Shelter.  The lake was frozen over and the sun reflecting off of it was nice and warming.  Eventually we made our way to the shelter, which was built in 1935 and is sadly showing it's age.  Most of the shelters in the area are in need of some attention.  Being as accessible as they are, and as popular of an area as it is, they tend to get used a lot.  They are stone shelters, with wooden floors and built in fireplaces.  They are a great respite from the rain or soaking snow, but we opted to sleep in our tent just behind the shelter.

The day was cold, clear and windy.  As the sun dropped below the horizon the temps were going with it.  The weather forecast in the local town was stated to be in the lower 20's, I'm pretty sure that we got down to the low teens.  Any water in our bottle or cups was freezing up before our eyes.  We made our dinners, had a solid fire (after some work to get it there) and chatted for a bit.  I was in a hurry to get into my sleeping bag since it was a new bag and I really wanted to try it out.  Soaked up the last of the heat, packed up for the night and headed to the tent.  With the exception of some wandering soul in the eight o'clock hour, the night was uneventful.

I was warm and toasty for the first hour or so, minus my toes (which only thawed out after using a heat pack).  I didn't feel like I slept much, although my brother swears I was snoring like mad so I guess I was out at some point.  Woke up for the usual and cold bathroom break around 3am and back in bed.

Woke up around seven or eight, Chris was determined to get a fire going again and we had some breakfast, packed up and hit the trail.  Someone went by our site while we were packing up, he'd already put in eight miles, doing this is a feat in itself, let alone by ten am.

We retraced our steps back to the car the way we came in.  It always amazes me how different things can look when you see them from the opposite direction.  Out of the twenty plus people on the trail we saw, only three were kind enough to return the enthusiastic hello my brother throws out there.

It was much warmer when we arrived at the car versus when we left the day before.  Still crowded, parking lot over flowing with cars.  Packed up quickly and headed to lunch in town.

We sat behind the most rude people ever, I feel bad if this couple represented the state of New York or even any part of it as I've never heard someone complain and be as rude as those people.  Our waitress was great and I'm sure they were terrible tippers.  Outside of that experience, the weekend was exactly what I wanted/needed, I'm always ready to go again.

Everything I read keeps telling me to do things now!

But the real question isn't when to do them, it's how.

How in the world can I pick up and disappear for several weeks, even a month at a time.  My wife can work where ever there's internet so that's simple, but I got into building my own business not a short while back as a home inspector, which kinda limits me to staying in this immediate area for the next 10 - 15 years.  As with all things, I should have done something on my own years ago.  But that's for a different topic.

My wife and I have two children of my own, a step-daughter and dogs.  We normally like to take our dogs with us where ever we go but also know that not every place is dog friendly nor would we want to have to need to care for them at every venue.  All of our children wouldn't necessarily be up for the adventure either, especially my step-daughter.  But she's old enough to make her own decisions and decide on what she wants to do and not do.  Our other children however, have other ideas as to what's important.

We've raised our kids to be outside as much as possible.  Every birthday party was held outdoors, took our son on his first backpacking trip when he was 1, trips to the beach, kayaking and day hikes have been a part of their lives from the beginning.  But technology, complacency and friend's hold them put.  Rarely do they complain when we get ready to go somewhere, but they're not always happy to be camping.  Lucky for us they make friend's where ever we go, but then they don't want to leave, so it's a double whammy.

In my perfect world, I'm traveling around the US and Canada backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, overlanding and photographing as much as humanly possible.  That's the dream to me.  Having a home base to come back to is great, but it can also become an anchor.  I don't know how people live full time on the road with kids, home schooling them, working, etc.  It's got to be exhausting.  I don't need to be traveling full time, just several months out of the year would be nice.  This country and world are just too nice to ignore  behind a computer or desk.  As the saying goes, no one ever talked about how awesome a video game is when their 50 - 60, they talk about the great experience's they've had in life.  I want, desperately to make those experience's available, both for me and my kids.  Big trips and little ones.  Epic and subtle.

I feel like I've already wasted a lot of the good years of my life by not hiking the AT out of high school when I had no idea what I wanted to do in life.  There were trips that I could have gone on if I only let myself go, but was too scared to do them.  I don't want the next chapters in my life to be that way.  I'm not sure how to go about it, but I'm planning on finding a way.