The Big Meander

Random Q & A that I’ve had with myself recently;

Am I doing this right?

I sometimes wonder if the way we are doing this trip the way we should be doing it?!  What are we missing if we don’t go all out every day?  Did we miss the one MUST SEE thing that is back in the grove of redwoods we passed by because we had already seen redwoods & wanted to get back to the campsite for a beer & chips/salsa after a long afternoon?  Should we stay one more day & take the hike that someone mentioned to us six months ago at a rehearsal?  Do I even remember who recommended the hike…….maybe…….?  Where does that road go & should I go down there to find out?

Blue Moon beers and chips and salsa await at the campsite.

To Shower or not to shower? That is the question….

The short answer for Erin is “yes, you should always shower”.  The more complicated answer for me is…..”it depends”.  If I showered the day before but just drove somewhere the following day maybe I don’t shower the 2nd day.  If I hiked in the morning & am all sweaty and dirty and dusty I probably DO shower before returning to the campsite.  If I’ve set up camp in the afternoon and there is a shower available but it’s still hot and/or there are a million mosquitos so I know I’m going to be putting on a layer of bug spray before the evening is through, do I still shower or wait until the next morning before I get in the car thus going to bed dirty and full-on bug spray-ie but fresh in the morning……? 

I’m just sayin ~ it depends.

Are there bears here & if I shower will they eat me because I smell like strawberry shampoo? 

(serious question……)

How far is it? 

(Another serious question)

Should we have taken the left fork in the trail…the one that went downhill?

The answer, if you’re interested, is yes we should have taken the fork that went downhill to the Giant Sequoia Trees.  Instead we took the right fork in the road and added a couple of miles to our hike before realizing we should turn around.  We had a lovely walk & solved all the problems of the world during our 6.24 mile walk in the woods.

Merced Grove sign that we totally missed

How much for a bundle of campfire wood?

So far, the most expensive has been $9.00/bundle at the Valero Station right outside Yosemite.  I’m not sure why, but watching that $$ go up in smoke is very satisfying.

Marla Wasson

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8 responses to “Random Q & A that I’ve had with myself recently;”

  1. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    You can’t do everything, go where the moment takes you. Shower when you feel like it if there’s a shower or river or lake available. Forget the firewood! 😉

    Reply
  2. Dad Avatar
    Dad

    Such existential questions for a meander! There is, of course no right or wrong in a meander, just right or left, and either is just as good (unless there’s a freaking sign). Showers — first, Erin should definitely have a say; second, ditch the strawberry shampoo if at all possible for something neutral — you are right to think of bears! Firewood: it appears that an afternoon cocktail-by-the-campfire is an emerging ritual. Respect rituals or the gods will get upset. Otherwise, there are no rules in a meander. . . except when there are.

    Reply
  3. Pat Defa Avatar
    Pat Defa

    Love your writing abilities…..those hikes do offer time to think about life I am sure. Shower…..I agree with you and those darn mosquitos are everywhere this summer…..Hmm you have to have a fire when you camp!!

    Reply
  4. Caitlin Avatar
    Caitlin

    I always have a severe case of travel FOMO anytime I go anywhere. I have to constantly remind myself that where I am is always awesome, and I’m having an amazing time and seeing amazing stuff and if I miss that one thing it won’t ruin the whole trip! You’ll be expert travelers who can live in the moment even better by the end of this im sure!! Looks like an amazing trip already!

    Reply
  5. Michelle D'Arcy Avatar
    Michelle D’Arcy

    You are making me smile and wish that I were with you sitting around a campfire singing a few tunes together. We were just at a campground and asking ourselves some of those same questions about showers, etc.
    We were not happy with the mosquitos trying to do a take over!

    Reply
    1. Marla Wasson Avatar
      Marla Wasson

      More DEET!

      Reply
  6. Jessica / Juniper Avatar
    Jessica / Juniper

    Rick Steves, who has done a tad of meandering himself, would tell you NOT to worry about seeing / doing everything. Not possible and just adds unnecessary stress. Leave some openings for the unplanned and serendipitous . They are often the best part.

    Reply
  7. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    Totally agree shower needs are relative. No need to stress the subject while camping unless there is a request by person or persons in close proximity. I also suggest moving some firewood money over to the Blue Moon budget 😉

    Reply

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