The Negative Side of the Imagination

Just a quick thought...

I was thinking about how I really would like to go on a solo camping trip some day, but the only problem is that I would probably get really scared at night. There's monsters and shit, you know? Seriously though, it'd be scary to have to get out of the tent at night and pee in the woods.

Isn't it interesting, though? The only thing that would stop me from an amazing experience is what's in my mind. Monsters conjured up by me, by my consciousness.

Kind of like society. All that prevents us from being open and talking with other people as ourselves is this idea in our head that they'll think we're annoying or weird and judge us. But when we try to be something else, it only makes us more annoying.

Certainly, like being afraid of the dark, being afraid in society has its roots. Predators that lurk around at night, the brain preparing to sprint in case of an attack. People (including myself) making fun of each other, talking behind each other's backs and judging.

But it's mostly all in the head. Maybe one day we can overcome that.

-Andrew

Food Recipe - Flat bread

This is a super-easy way to eat something a little fancier than bagged and canned foods in the back-country without having to bring anything that will go bad or be too bulky.

What you'll need is a plastic bag filled with:

Flour

Some salt and/or sugar for flavor.

You may want an extra bag with some extra flour.

Wow, that was easy! All you need to do is take some water (you won't even have to boil or filter it if the water is from a fresh, running source, since you'll be cooking it anyway) and pour it in the bag. Close the bag and start mashing it until it becomes doughy.

Next, take the extra bag with flour in it and put it in whenever and wherever you need to help keep the dough unstuck.

Now, what you can do is use something like canned herrings or whatever to add some oil. This will add flavor and keep the dough from sticking to your pot. After that you can plop that dough in the pan, flatten it out and flip it till its done.

Depending on how wide your pot is, you might need to make several smaller things of flat bread. Heck, you could try using a heated rock to cook this if you wanted.

Anyhow, after that you can dabble on some canned jam, or maybe some herrings or grilled spam and enjoy it! You'd be surprised how good plain flat bread can taste.

-Andrew

Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.

Yellowboner and Grand tittytons. We met lots of cool people. A nice couple, a cool waiter, an amazing mountain man, and a friendly bard. It's been over 4 months since the trip, but that's all good.

When we arrived at Jackson Hole Airport, it JUST stopped raining, which had been happening for about 3 weeks. A distant rainbow greeted us as we walked down the flight of stairs.

My goodness, we were WHOOPING with excitement. Excitement levels were through the roof. We sat around in the airport; our parents drove over and we had to switch cars (none of us 4 - me, Bryan, Robby or Thomas - were over 25. So prices would've been way higher). Once we got all the stuff in, we were so excited.

I couldn't wait to pack and strap everything to my backpack. Man, the feeling of having all the gear you need right there on your back is wonderful. That night we went to Ripley's Believe it or Not in the town, but were kind of too tired to do anything else.

The next morning, we departed. It was really foggy at first, and we couldn't see the Tetons. We were on our way to Yellowstone. There, we saw Ol' Faithful erupt twice. The second time we had hiked up to a beautiful viewpoint (and hiked a little higher). We made lots of scenic stops. I don't remember the exact details, but there was one amazing point, definitely one of my highlights of the trip.

We stopped by the petrified tree, but that didn't look very interesting to us. Instead, we saw what looked like a little trail going up the side of a very steep hill. So we went on it. Turns out, it wasn't an official trail. But my god, that climb was awesome. I was going on all fours, and we were using walking sticks for traction. I was grabbing limbs and thin trees and roots and pulling myself up, and there were these curved trees (we might call them treenises) jutting out of the hillside that you could just lean back and rest on.

The climbing, though strenuous, was extremely fun. Going beast mode is awesome. Well, we got above the line of trees and dirt, and found ourselves on the hilltop, which was covered in bushes and grass. But we kept hauling our tired selves till we got to the very peak, where we found a stone with some leg bones by it. Not to mention, an extremely beautiful view. You best believe we were screaming with excitement!

Well, after two nights of motels (they were both very impressive, we didn't think they would be that nice. It was a Motel 8 and a Super Motel 6. Also, on the second motel night, Man Vs. Wild with Will Ferrell came on, which was awesome), we finally camped. It was at a campsite at the Grand Canyon [of Yellowstone]. It was so nice to know we'd be sleeping in a tent. We met a really nice park ranger who was actually from Ohio.

That night we cooked up a big dinner of bacon, beans and pasta. We sat out by the fire and gazed at the stars (unfortunately, during the whole trip, there was no milky way). It was so awesome and comfortable.

Well, the next night we went down to the Tetons again and FINALLY did some much needed Backpacking. We had to choose a totally new trail. We decided we'd stay in Phelps lake for 2 nights and then stay in Granite Canyon, but because of fatigue and time restraints, we only did the first two nights.

Us approaching Phelps Lake, our back-country camping site. This was the end of the uphill and the start of the downhill. What a wonderful mid-way treat.

It was SUCH a beautiful hike in. Beautiful poplar trees and pines, open fields in the distance, running streams, etc. It actually hailed briefly beforehand. We hiked in at the same time as an old couple. I think they beat us by a lot, ha! It was fun getting our packs all set (we had to have bear canisters, which doubled as seats. Honestly, they tell screw it shut before sitting on the lid). Well, we got there finally and set up and ate. I remember that night, we were all lying out, waiting for that damned milky way to come up, but it never did. Rob and I waited a bit longer after Bryan and Thomas went to bed. We watched the moon set.

We recorded us doing stuff for a long while that night, starting with Rob and I wading in the lake. Check it out. WW.68

Well, the next day we had to hike back to the car to resupply. We get there, and... NO... Bryan realizes he forgot the keys. Talk about the most horrible feeling haha. Well, he hiked back with Rob (Rob stopped halfway) and Thomas and I talked. At least he had no pack! I was feeling kind of down at that point, but I think it was actually because I got the impression that everyone else was feeling down too.

But then when we all got back together and ate up, we went and saw a man that a passing park ranger had told us about before we departed to the car.

Meet Black George, the mountain man!

He gave us root beer floats and told us SO many stories. He even had a story from Columbus, where kids bought a barber pole, and people thought they stole it, so they showed the receipt. Well, they started pretending to cut it down at every barber shop and then showed the receipt and got off, so the cops said, "alright guys, there are some kids pulling some pranks, so if you see two kids sawing down a barber pole, don't bother." Well, after that, everyone went around sawing off barber poles without getting caught! Hacha!

Later we went back to our campsite, full with those floats, and happy as ever.

Then we met a cool couple and the guy had actually lived in Jackson Hole, so he came camping every weekend. Sounds amazing. Robby was like, Andrew, we've gotta just ask them to hang out and not care about what they think, and you're the one who needs to do it most. So we asked, and we chatted over dinner. We had Ramen, and they had already eaten so they were having a Hershey Bar for dessert. Delicioso. Later we went over to Jumping Rock, a big rock by the lake, but the clouds were out and it started storming.

The next morning, we were eating some hot cider and oat bars for breakfast. We noticed in the distance the couple jumping off the rock (and we could hear them go WOO!... splash!), so Robby and I were like, "alright, we have GOT to do that." Robby was considering doing it the night before. But he was like, nah, I had better wait till its daytime and I can see the bottom (though the guy who's lived here assured us it was safe).

And so, we got our swimsuits on and nervously hiked on over. Got to the top of Jumping Rock and stared down. I looked. Man. It seemed like I would just have to go for it without thinking. So I did. WOOOOSHH, the 2 second fall felt like a whole minute, and I finally crashed against the water! SPLASH! I came up and swam to the rocky shore and climbed back up. I kind of hurt my balls on that first one, haha. Rob and I each dove 3 times, but of course my first time didn't get recorded because it was unexpected and impulsive.

Here's my second jump: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1118929180241

My god it was thrilling and fun. Some passer-by's saw us too, including two MILF's, and a group of old ladies (one of which said "if I was your mother, I'd tell you to get down!" to which I thought, thank goodness we're out here alone!). We talked to the couple a bit more before those two groups came by, too, and I thankfully got a picture on my camera of us (the night before all we had was Thomas's crappy camera, cause the battery I got was low already somehow).

Well, afterwards, we decided to take to the road, because it would've been to hard to hike back and try and get a spot at Jenny Lake in one morning (though we ended up not getting that site on the planned morning anyway, so...) We visited Black George again, enjoyed floats and more wonderful stories, like this one:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=102599798916&subj=660078916

Well the next night we stayed at Coulter Bay campsite and played cards and stuff. Then we stay two nights I think in Jenny Lake. We took a canoe out on Jenny Lake, too, and had a blast. We paddled across it to a little cascade. So awesome, so beautiful. We also visited Teton Village (regrettably, we didn't go para sailing, but apparently it would've been fine with the parents. D'OH!) We had delicious waffles though.

Arriving at Leigh Lake on a quick hike near the end of the trip.

Well, there's a lot more to tell about the trip, so maybe some time I'll type up the Adventure Archives and post it.

Until then, peace out.

-Andrew

P.S.: We took about 2,000 pictures. For a little over 40 of them, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29255250@N03/sets/72157622411980524/

Teton Plans

So Thomas kinda crapped out on our plans to go to the Grand Tetons. We aren't really backpacking anymore (although I'm still carrying all I need in my backpack). Instead, we're staying at Jenny Lake in the Grand Teton portion of it.

Ah well, I'm over it. The rest of us will be exploring it up regardless. So then we ran into the problem of car rental - fees were racking up cause no one is 25 (although Bryan and Robby would both be 24), and my mom wanted full insurance.

But now my parents are driving in earlier, giving us their car when we get there and renting one themselves, so it's a lot cheaper. About $770 give or take for each of us.

I'm just relieved that its all done and we are definitely set to go. It's going to be an amazing trip.

Spring 2009 Pictures! (Plus a video and thoughts)

Isn't it weird that people mow lawns?

I thought this one day as I was walking up my driveway. The sun was shining, illuminating this really tall, uncut grass. There were patches of moss and wildflowers and dandelions all over, and vegetation growing among the trees.

Why would I want anything else? Let alone a clean cut, perfectly straight lawn? That would just be, as Alan Watts says, us trying to control the wiggles with a net. But why? So our lawns can be less beautiful and less soft? And some go so far as to not allow anyone to tread on the lawn, and even put poisonous fertilizer in it. Then you can't sit in it or walk in it barefoot or enjoy it at all except from afar. But I guarentee the view won't be as nice as it could've been.


A lone, purple Iris growing in my front yard


I was walking home from my neighbor's house when I looked up and saw this beautiful rainbow (or circumhorizontal arc?) going all the way around the sun. Breathtaking.


When I realized my camera could have 15 second night exposure, I took a flurry of starry night sky pictures. Can't wait to try it out with Milky Way Galaxy...


Some nice bluebell flowers. I'm just guessing that that's the name. Bluebell the troll, terrified throughout the nine kingdoms!


Pine tree in my front yard against the brilliant blue sky


Cool feather I found on the side of the road.


A Japanese-esque flowering tree had dropped lots of its petals. Almost looked like snow!


A pointy-nosed turtle Thomas and I found in Highbanks Metro Park in Ohio. Looks like it has a kinda leathery shell.


The really tall grass that gets lots of water from the ditches. It grew even taller later! (But it got cut recently, and now it's just short, brown, ugly patches) I love walking through grass barefoot, it's so soft!


Thomas against a sunset. It probably didn't look THAT brilliantly orange, I had it on sunset setting.


Beautifully radiant, neon-green tulip leaves. They didn't bloom this year, though. Which is funny, cause it's the only year the deer didn't eat them either.


A pretty wildflower growing in my backyard. Why cut this?

Hocking Hills

So, it's been quite a while since I updated. Summer is practically here, and spring is lovely.

What did I do during spring?

First, I went to the opposite of wilderness, New York City, to visit my cousin Robby with my brother. We did a lot! We saw the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Nintendo World, the Soup Man, etc. etc.

It was a great time, and lots of it was really beautiful. Towering skyscrapers, blue skies, night lights, etc. It was nice to wind down each night at his apartment too.

We had some amazing food. Some delicious burgers, shakes and fires, Chinese takeout (of course!), Black and White cookies, HUGE plates of ribs/steaks (along with mashed potatoes, a salad, fried plantains in my case, and onions), and some delicious Soup Nazi Soup (I got the crab bisque with some grape soda. Freaking delicious.)

He has 4 roomates, two of which stay in a closet, haha. One of them had all these inspirational posters with national parks, which was awesome. I have a feeling staring at those each night while living in the city would kinda start making me feel really poopy.

Actually, Robby is planning on moving out in September, maybe even living near us. So that would be awesome - we could airsoft or go camping or whatever whenever.

Speaking of camping, right after our trip to New York (P.S. We also went to D.C. for a bit), we came back to Ohio, met up with Robby's cousins (no relation to us), and my neighbor Thomas (the planner of Tetons - more on that later), and went down to Hocking Hills State Park.

This was our second time there. It was overcast, but that meant the waterfalls were flowing! It was as beautiful and breathtaking as the first time.

The picture above shows all of us in front of some beautiful waterfalls. This is one of the first things you see. It's called the Upper Falls.

Here was a timer picture we took of all of us standing at a cliffside path. This area was beautiful, and it was right after we left...

This place. A secret path we found. There were old, crumbled stairs made from stone. A partially collapsed bridge made of three rock slabs. And a beautiful, solitary waterfall that you could walk right next to. One of the best parts. Other than, of course...

The lake at the campsite. Unfortunately, my batteries AND SD card ran out in my camera, so I got no pictures of the lake... Or, more importantly, the beautiful, beautiful stars above. It was near our campsite, and at first all I heard on the way there was whirring of generators and chatter. All I saw were bright lights of bathrooms, a strange, out-of-place playground. Thomas was leading us to the lake, but so far it seemed like there'd be nothing great. Then the whole place opens up.

A big slope to the right. A beautiful lake to the left. A pathway down the middle, and thousands of breathtaking stars above. We could very, very faintly make out the milky way, and we saw so many more stars than usual, not to mention many shooting stars. We just lied there listening to music and talking. Amazing.

For more pictures, go here.

-Andrew