Awesome Weekend

This was one of the best weekends I have had in awhile. I got to talk to Luke for several hours while we drove to Carbondale, which I haven't really done for awhile. Then Jules, Hillary, and I went camping with some of Jules' forestry friends, even though it had rained for most of the day.

camping advice: when a forestry boy is hesitant about camping b/c of the mud, one should really question why and the whole camping idea in general.

by the time we decided to leave, I was quite tired and almost ready for bed. After we parked the car, everyone got out and pulled out their camping gear which was all packed nicely in hiking back packs. I was then informed that we were going to hike at least 2 miles to our campsite and that this was known to be one of the muddiest trails in the area (one might wonder y this location was chosen then). Needless to say, I was in total shock. I was not prepared for a night of late night hiking through water and mud. I also wasn't completely sure I believed them, bc I couldn't imagine y anyone else would be up for this adventure at 10:30 at night.

the beginning of the trail wasn't too bad, and I was quite optimistic. However, after another 5 minutes I really wished I was out at the bars. After another 15 minutes, I wished I was dry and in my bed asleep. After a gruelling 50 minutes (aprox. time) of hiking through trees, brush, creeks, and deep mud, we reached "the den" or something.

After a blazing fire had began drying my clothes, camping became a lot of fun. There was a collection of liquor, but all I really wanted was a hot dog (of course I settled for drinking). After a couple hours, Dan lead Julie, hill, and I on a hike through "the maze" or something. I'm sure it looks different in daylight, but it was kinda creepy at night. At one point we were inching through little crevices with people above us throwing fire crackers at our heads (kids don't try this at home).

By the time we got back to the campsite, someone had brought hot dogs (I guess they weren't' around when I kept talking about them earlier)!!! so my night was complete. Another interesting event was when all the boys were climbing trees and pushing dead trees over. It might also be noted that forestry people don't realize that the general public does not understand the terms they use nor some of the things they do.

we ended up going to bed around 4 and getting up at 9 I think. Then we hiked, mostly uphill, to our cars--- that will burn off the beer calories. A shower was all I could think about.

p.s. I want a forestry flashlight that I can put on my head.