test run (pt. 2)

After a fitful sleep, I awoke to a soft light filling the tent and a few birds chirping. Both our phones were dead, and we didn't have a watch, so I had no clue what time it was. Anxious as always to check on the horses. As I unzipped the tent, there was frost on the ground. No wonder we were so cold all night. The horses seemed calm enough on the highline, and the sun hadn't yet peaked over the trees. Jewel got up and we started the fire, making our oatmeal and setting our plan. We didn't know how long it took us to pack up camp.. we didn't rush by any means. We take our time finding the right spot for each item and balancing the packs. We figured it must have been 1pm by the time we found a cabin to charge our phones. When my phone sprung to life it was only 11:30am! So either we're faster than we thought...or we got up a lot earlier!

Here's our little camp above. We still haven't figured out how to take things out of our packs as we need them, they all just kinda end up everywhere. Each item we have is useful. We were hopping we'd realize we didn't need as much stuff.. but if anything we realized we were missing equipment.

After charging our devices at this vacant cabin on the porch, we made our way through some new trails in the forest. We knew there was a whole other set of trails to explore.. but we hadn't been able to access them because the path went through the river and the water had been so high. Especially since all the rain we had been getting the days before. Sam told us about this one stone path through the river he thought would be best, void of any dangerous debris.

We headed down the hill and found the trail he was talking about. The water was still very high. So we talked about who should test it. We decided Jewel would do it, and I'd get the next one. So she stripped down to her socks and undies.. but after a few attempts couldn't make it more than halfway. So, since someone had to make sure the path was clear, I stripped down too and headed in. Boy was that water ice cold! Walked all the way to the other side, there were a bunch of smaller rocks as you can see, and then bigger ones the deeper we got.. but no trees or anything dangerous the horses could get stuck on. Still. After I crossed back over and dried off, I still felt nervous about crossing. I got on Lux and he confirmed my nerves by bolting up the nearest hill and refusing to turn back down. I kept think about the difference between pushing ourselves and risk. Was this creek a potential hazard? A hoof could get stuck, a broken leg, a horse slips and there goes Jewel's computer and camera. All these awful things that could happen ran through my mind and as Jewel and Ora met me at the top of the hill I said; I don't think it's a good idea we cross, and Lux definitely agrees. She said okay, where do you wanna go? I told her we had to go back down the creek so I could teach Lux to calmly follow my direction. We made it to the bottom and then Lux and I continued on the trail when I hear a big scream of delight from Jewel and splashing water! Stubborn Ora had gone through the creek all on her own! We could hardly get this pony to go through a puddle! and here she was, splashing through a rushing river! Jewel and Ora laughing at Lux and I across the river. She suggested I just lead Lux down and let him drink, that's what Ora did before she decided to go through. I did, and with a little encouragement, we made it to the other side! Safe sound and a little cleaner!

Happy Day, we made it to the other side! We high fived and were ecstatic to explore all these new trails. The wind was cold but the sun was shining and we were hopeful to find a great new camp. After riding around for another 2 hours we found a spot we thought would work well. There's a few important things for us to consider when we set up camp. Like plenty of grass for the horses to graze, moving water (for us and horses) protection from rain and wind, and two strong trees a good distance apart with safe terrain underneath for the highline. So... it can be hard to find the right spot. We did find a great space, the only downfall was the thick pine trees beside us were very dark and ominous, leading our imaginations to coyotes and bears beneath the brush.

Jewel and I had a nap, alternating because even in hobbles these two get up to some serious trouble (Lux tried to go down a ditch to the river!) I made us some lunch pretty fast now that I was handy with the stove. We ate, and then hopped on the horses bareback for a nice 5 o clock ride. We explored beautiful trails, even ended up finding comfort in a tiny neighbourhood at the end of one trail. We headed back to settle in for the night. But not before hearing the same scary noises we heard the previous night! Turns out when we shined our light, and ten sets of eyes reflected back at us, like a Christmas tree lighting up, it was just a huge family of raccoons.

We were happy to be packing up camp knowing a warm bed was awaiting us that night. Every single thing was dirty, and smelled like campfire. Yet it felt as if on this sixth day we were finally used to this life. Although it wasn't that long, it felt long. We were just getting used to our tight mummy sleeping bags, the cold cold nights and fire made rice.

I think this will be one of the biggest challenges, adjusting and acclimatizing to being outside so much, living a new lifestyle. There is definitely a stamina in me I didn't know I had. One that awakens when the call the fulfill my physical needs overcomes everything else. In my current world all those needs are met. Theres always food in the fridge and I don't need to start a fire to stay warm or wait 15 minutes before my water is clean. With all these basic needs met I have so much time to worry about other things, my emotional well being, my future, what work I should be doing that I'm not, how much money I don't have. Out in the woods, there's not time for those thoughts. There is just the present moment, my present state. And maybe the next hour. Will there be enough fire wood before bed. We have enough water for morning. And in the acts of being fully immersed in the task of surviving, I get to be free of my mind and live in my body, in nature. I look forward to exploring that place. When the fear goes away and I can just be, just have a certain amount of faith that tomorrow we'll find what we need and carry on.

Until then... this is the current state of my bedroom. Three more days!