Because I love it! Why not? I’m outdoors, not inside, in the sun, rain, shade, wind, woods, meadows, hills/mountains, in nature. As a 10-12 year old, I used to play in the small patch of woods outside where we lived. I’d explore, build forts, climb trees, fish the creeks, stupidly build fires – you know, things a 10-12 year old ought to do.
At almost 11, I joined the Webelos. We went on a short hike in February and camped out in the freezing cold. I had been on many camping trips with family in a pop up tent camper, but this was the first time that I carried my stuff on my back. I was less than well prepared, but survived; and absolutely loved it. It was the first of many backpacks, even if it was probably less than a 500 yard walk.
At 12, I got to go to Camp Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in North Carolina. We did an overnight to Shining Rock. We carried the kind of ponchos that two of them together made a tent. I prepared and cooked beef stew over a fire that night; luckily, since I cooked, someone else cleaned. The scoutmaster called in a Great Horned Owl that night – I still get goosebumps remembering it soaring overhead.
At the time of this writing, I’m celebrating my 50th year of backpacking. Looking back, many of my most wonderful memories are from being in the woods, walking with a pack on my back. I’ve walked in snow, ice, wind, heat, mountains, crossed streams, dealt with blisters and thirst, fallen numerous times with resultant bruises and scrapes, but so far lucky enough (or skilled?) to not have broken anything.
I’ve decided to start this blog to recount my steps, relay some of my experiences, and maybe teach others a few things about my wonderful world of hiking.
McLeod's Hikes and Such 