Merry Christmas to ME!

I think I'm in love, and we haven't even slept together yet!

   Happy Birthday, too. I broke down & bought my very own combination-present this year: a Marmot down-filled 15 degree sleeping bag. Renee has been SO AWESOME to share all her gear with me, but I'm starting to acquire my own so I can begin some hardcore backpacking!
   Some people have drug addictions, I have a gear addiction. It's one thing I love to research & shop for. And use. (I'm totally hooked on adventure too.)
   I heard this quote on The Amazing Race recently: "To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote, To travel is to live." — Hans Christian Andersen.
   When I was researching the quote online to see who said it, I came across this great article with different perspectives on the subject of travel. So I thought I'd share, since I'm getting ready for some more...

YOU'RE HOME.

   I think Gypsy missed me, after 48 hours alone in the house--for the first time since I adopted Atom over 12 years and 7 months ago. She greeted me at the door (like she usually does) and has followed me around all day. And I've encouaged it by giving her two helpings of the prescription canned food she loves (she was diagnosed with poor kidney function Thursday night), as well as some shrimp from the Vietnamese spring rolls I just made, and tons of love. She has been spoiled since the day I found her over 14 years ago, as a starving, feral, stray kitty. So now I'm upping the ante and she'll be spoiled on a completely different order of magnitude.
   While I was camping, Carolyn, in reference to my Shibas, quoted her grandmother: "They probably think they fell in the honey pot!" And I think that sums it up nicely. I adore these animals and would do anything for them. I cherish them for their companionship, for making me laugh, and for being an inspiration to my artwork. Just coming home to their eager, fuzzy faces makes me happy almost beyond imagination. :)

Snug as a Bug in a...

   Mummybag. And hopefully I won't wake up with the drawstring tight around my neck again... Note to self: no tossing & turning!!! How apropos for Halloween, if my friends had found me strangled to death in my tent on a crisp Saturday morning, being feasted upon by hungry werewolv... err, Shibas.

Dinner and a Campfire

   ...But wait! There's more! After enjoying a gorgeous sunset, I met everyone back at camp for a steak dinner (thanks Scott & Allyson!!!), and then we walked up to the Esbergs' campsite to enjoy drinks & snacks with everyone around the campfire. We laughed and talked for a while, and I found it increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open after such a fun-packed day.

   This time when I went to bed, I threw caution to the wind and left the space heater on all night so that we wouldn't be freezing again. I think the dogs were very grateful—Taylor only tried to escape a couple of times, as it was nice and toasty in our tent.

Sunset at the Overlook

This is what timers on cameras are for.  ;)

Weston Bend Campsite

   Weston was GORGEOUS, with all the bright autumn colors in full swing. I took all of these right around our campsite:

The Andriani Camp

The Cook Camp

My modest homestead, aka Renee's backpacking tent

Hanging bag of trash = doggy piñata! Cue the music!

Saturday Morning

   This morning I slept in a bit, then got up to walk the dogs. The sun was rising and made for some fun pictures.

 Mike, Carolyn, Frank & Lucy's campsite:

 Really important sign. Make sure you read it!

 The fall colors were breathtaking in the morning sunlight:

 Wake up, Sleepyhead Shibas!

 So sleepy that her tail straightened!

 View as I woke up this morning:

   Renee's delicious camp breakfast: choco-chip pancakes, turkey bacon, and fresh fruit. She was so nice to cook—and to share! It tasted incredible.

    Gooood Morning! Coffee & Bailey's Irish creme with Scott & Allyson at their tricked-out camper:

 Mike stops by for a visit:

Not Sure About This...

   Aki: This sleeping bag isn't as comfortable as our beds, and it got COLD last night. Taylor tried to escape the tent a few times. There were funny noises and we couldn't sleep. Then in the morning when we were soooo tired, a blue jay sat above our tent and wouldn't shut up... and besides, what's this crap about sleeping outside on the ground?! What are we, dogs?!!? Not sure about this camping thing, Mom...

To Weston!

   A bunch of my friends had planned to meet up in Weston tonight to camp, hike and enjoy a gorgeous weekend together. I've wanted to go for a while, but it has been a long couple of weeks, and I wasn't sure I was up for it. But as I drove home tonight, I decided I'd go for it. I got home from work, quickly packed gear for me and the dogs, and we hopped in the car for the 40-minute drive.

The sunset was beautiful!

   By the time I arrived, the party was already in full swing, and Renee had my tent all set up and ready to go. We sat around the campfire, and I dined on a delicious panini that Scott made in a pie iron over the fire, & Allyson's homemade chili. Wow. A long week, good friends, cold weather, hot food, and the gin & tonic tasted even better! Everyone was SO generous to share their gear and food with me, since I headed out in such a hurry.
   This was the first time that the pups had camped, and they didn't quite like the idea of being trapped in a tent, at first. Taylor kept nudging the tent zippers with his nose and actually escaped a couple of times. But once they got the idea, they quickly acclimated...

Improving the View

   Looking forward to camping this weekend and enjoying sunsets not conspicuously blocked by man-made crap! Also looking forward to hanging out with Allyson, Scott, Renee, Joe, Rosie, Tom, Maja, Kai, Mike, Carolyn, Frank, Lucy, Maureen, and Kate around the campfire! It's Aki & Taylor's first time sleeping in a tent in the great outdoors. If all goes well, it will be the first of many trips!

Pack animals

   Tonight the pups accompanied me to Petco & Petsmart in an attempt to find doggie packs so they can each carry their own food and water when we go backpacking next weekend. This one was a great price and fit well, but was smaller than what I had hoped to find, and Mr. Taylor isn't interested in skimping on his food rations. We'll keep looking...

Camping cartoons a-comin'

   As soon as I can get them scanned, that is. For now, please enjoy this note, which I left on my chair at work to tell them where I was:

   All kidding aside, this scenario might be real for those in the Cleveland area. My aunt's friend, Roger, took these photos of bear tracks about 20' from his house: