Dream and Planning
Traveling to the National Parks is not new to me. My brother, Eric, and I have been visiting 2-4 parks a year for the past several years. It was in those trips that I realized what a national treasure we have in our National Parks. I am grateful to those who advocated for protecting the amazing beauty and diversity that the parks hold.
I have been dreaming about this Epic journey of camping in the western National Parks for a long time. However, I had no idea when the dream might become a reality as I was the caregiver for my mother. I lived with her since my dad died in 2017. She had a grateful heart and a positive attitude which made it easy to be a caregiver. At the age of 93 she died October 22, 2022. Her death left a huge hole in my life. One month following her death I got COVID and then rebound COVID so I found myself in isolation for two weeks during my first holiday without her. The grief and the isolation was difficult. In an effort to find some hope for the future, I ordered an atlas on line and began pouring over maps, websites, and information on the National Parks of the West. While recovering from COVID I worked and reworked on an itinerary which included National Parks, and visits with friends and family. I also learned about the reservation process. Who knew that one needs to make reservation 6 months to the day that you arrive and there are no guarntees that one will get in! The advantage of planning ahead means I was assured I had a place to stay every night; however, I did not get a campsite in all of the National Parks. However, I was able to secure a campsite in the state parks surrounding the National Parks. The down side of an itinerary that is guided by reservation is that it does not allow for flexibility. Since COVID the National Parks have been teeming with people and if I found a park I would like to spend more time in I would most likely not be able to get a campsite.
As I shared my dream with family I learned that Greta, Tina and Eric were interested in joining me at different points of the trip. As an extrovert, I welcomed a break in the solitude of solo travel. On the other hand, I also welcome the solitude and see this trip as an opportunity to celebrate what has been and to dream of what is to come. It will be a time of discernment as I discover what the next phase of my life will bring and as I wonder what will bring meaning and purpose to my days.
It was my parents who taught me about camping. I now know how much work it was for my parents to plan the meals, pack the supplies and make a camping trip happen for a family of 5 children. I am grateful that they taught me the love of the outdoors and the basics of camping. So, planning the trip comes with some built in experience. However, camping for 70 days is a bit different than a weekend trip to the North Shore. Although one needs to bring the same gear whether one is going for a weekend or an extended trip. I have been working on some upgrades in equipment. I purchased a Roofnest Condor Overland Tent, a tent that is attached to the roof of my SUV. The advantage of this tent will be:
I will not be sleeping on the ground. There is a comfortable 2 1/2 mattress in the tent
I will not be sharing space with grizzly, widow and recluse spiders, scorpions or rattlesnakes
It will be much easier to break down camp, especially when it is raining.
It has a viewing window which will allow me to watch the stars
It gives me an extra sense of security and piece of mind when I am traveling alone.
Traditionally, I like to cook over a fire with cast iron. However, the summer weather is expected to once again be hot and dry which may mean the possibility of a ban on campfires, so I purchased a gas stove that has a burner and a grill/griddle.
There is nothing like a morning cup of coffee and a breakfast hot off the griddle
I have been using the same sleeping bag for 47 years. It has kept me warm back in the day when I went winter camping. The first time I went camping this summer the zipper on the sleeping bag gave up the ghost. That was one upgrade I was not expecting. I sewed a cotton sheet for the inside of the sleeping bag in anticipation of some warm weather this summer. The long range forecast looks like it could be in the 40’s in the mornings in the Tetons and in Glacier-perfect sleeping weather with a good sleeping bag!
I decided against bringing my kayak. Although I will miss the kayak I plan to rent one when the opportunity arises. I will especially miss the opportunity the kayak gives me to get closer to nature. Below you will find some recent pictures I have taken from the kayak
