Finally! Something New to Blog About

It's been a very long time since I actually went somewhere new or did something new. Vacation this year: Same Old Same Old. Work: Ho Hum. Day Trips: Nothing to see here, move along, move along.

Until this past weekend. On a complete spur of the moment, with the hopes of spending a Friday night away from the temptations of the wine cellar, the SigO and I decided to go backpacking. Now, I know what you're going to say - that's not new! You went on that crazy aborted trip where you redecorated your leg. Or what about that time you got to experience half-way reconstituted freeze-dried Chili Mac because the bonehead at REI didn't sell you the heating element to the camp stove? Hmmmm.

OK, yeah, you're right, this isn't my first time backpacking, buuuuuut, it was my first time backpacking out to Chopawamsic Primitive Camping at Prince William National Forest. Now, of course, I go to PW all the time to either hike or bike, but I've always wanted to go backpacking there, because I know I won't have a problem finding a water source. Plus it's beautiful and under-populated there.

So, let me set the stage. First, here's a map of our campsite. We're site #3.

As you can see, it sits right on top of Breckenridge Reservoir. I mean, hell, from this map, we're almost swimming in the reservoir, right? Never heard of Breckenridge Reservoir? Me neither, but hey, look at this lovely picture featured on their brochure.

 So, not only do I have an ample supply of water, but I will have this incredible view to go to sleep to and wake up to, right?

Riiiiiiiiight....

Here's a picture looking towards the reservoir from our campsite.

Can you see the reservoir? Nope. Neither could we, without hiking out to it. And once there, you couldn't get water from it, cuz the ledge was too steep. Water Water Everywhere and not a Drop to Drink.

Here are a few pictures of the actual reservoir. Unfiltered. Un-photo-shopped.

 That's stagnant water in case you can't tell.

So, yeah, not exactly as idyllic as the "sales brochure," but we still had a good time.

The campsite is about a mile from the parking lot, so we actually parked deeper in the park and hiked out. I'm guessing about four miles each way. Considering I tore my plantar fascia back in May/June,

I was very happy to be able to hike that distance while carrying a 35lb backpack.

We didn't have any crazy adventures like last time. Even though we couldn't get water from the reservoir, there was another water source nearby.

We didn't have to eat half-way constituted food either. In fact, I made Thai Crab Cakes, that, considering they were made from canned crab, came out pretty decent. I tried to make mushroom rice, but it was very blah. I had planned on corn-cakes for breakfast, but after the effort involved to make dinner over a campstove, I bagged it and we just had the freeze-dried eggs and bacon we packed "just in case."

 I did make some "Almond Hot Chocolate" though, which was really surprisingly good. A nice hot drink to start the day that doesn't involve dried milk. Did get a bit chunky at the bottom though, as it is made with almond meal. No worse than drinking Turkish Coffee, though.

Here's our little cooking area.

 And our cute little tent. Very cozy....

 that the SigO has to carry (hey! I carry the food and cooking stoves!)

 And while the scenery didn't quite measure up to the brochure, trust me, I didn't lack for eye candy.

Look at those arms! Yowza!!