My Second Night on the Road
Around four o’clock I started searching for my first campsite and was
getting a little down when I couldn’t find one. Was I going to stay in
another hotel tonight? KOA next exit a sign stands out on the highway. I
exit hungry and cold in hope to find a cheap place to stay for the
night. On my way to the KOA I see the beautiful country surrounding me
and I start thinking I should be able to find a spot off the beaten
path. As I near the KOA I give in only to find when I get there it’s
going to be $30 per night. I thank the lady and continued on my journey.
I see a little road that looks as if it goes up one of the
surrounding mountains. Turn here something whispered to me, so I
followed my inner whisper. I began to loose hope when all I could see
were houses but my inner whisper was still pushing me forward. The road
turned to dirt and I thought to myself “I should be able to find
something here” finally about 5 miles up this windy dirt road I see
a spot that I think will work out. I park my bike and walk into the
forest area. The ground was soft so I would have to be careful getting
in but it would make a great bed. Looking around further I see the
perfect spot under a bunch of trees. It looked as if it could have been a
den for an elk or a moose, the perfect place to spend the night.
Private enough I could pee out in the open and covered enough the wind
couldn’t blow me away. So I hopped back on my bike pull off the road and
set up camp.
My
camp was set up and I was really proud of it. I tried to send pictures
to my mom to show her I was doing it, but there seemed to be little to
no cell service. I was out in the wilderness alone. It was ok though;
kind of like one of my hunting trips except it was the first time I had
camped since I was a kid. I ate my dry top ramen and watched the sunset.
Being in the moment I didn’t think to take pictures of the beautiful
sunset that brought the silhouette of the trees to life, instead I just
sat and enjoyed the moment. The clouds started coming in so I checked my
tarp to make sure it was secured to the trees.
That
night the skies opened up and I thought for sure I was going to be
soaked. Being the storm lover that I am I truly enjoyed being in the
excitement of it. The lightning was touching the trees and ground all
around me. Filling my tent with the natural strobe lights of a party.
The cracking of the thunder filled the air and created the wonderful
bass to follow the strobe, listening to the rain falling on my tarp
creating a beautiful beat. I lay there enjoying the symphony of the
storm. With only one concern, I lay there wondering if my camp was going
to hold up to the weather. I finally fell asleep to this wonderful
orchestra of nature.
Three-a.m. I woke up startled by the sounds of coyotes singing their hunting songs all around me. It seemed as if the wild dogs had surrounded me. A fear started to build inside of me. What if the coyotes attacked me, what if there were wolves in the area, what if that’s what they were singing about? As I lay there scared, listening to their songs hoping they would leave me alone, I heard something spectacular, the sound of dogs drinking water. They were right outside drinking the water that collected on my tarp. Then the singing started up again. An overwhelming feeling of wonder joined my fear and washed it away. I peaked out of the mesh on my front door to watch three of them dance away to join their brothers in the hunt. I had become part of their world and they meant me no harm. What an amazing feeling to be so close to the nature. Feeling secure I went back to sleep wondering if they would come back for another visit.
As
I woke I listened carefully to my surroundings to see if could hear any
animals nearby. I peaked my head out for a quick search to find the
animals of the morning were busy elsewhere. I stepped out and started to
take my wet tarp down. It was cold outside and very early. As the tarp
came down I noticed the sun rising. I propped myself up on my motorcycle
to enjoy the beauty of nature before I would join the road again. With
everything I packed in back on my bike I set off.
I see a little road that looks as if it goes up one of the
surrounding mountains. Turn here something whispered to me, so I
followed my inner whisper. I began to loose hope when all I could see
were houses but my inner whisper was still pushing me forward. The road
turned to dirt and I thought to myself “I should be able to find
something here” finally about 5 miles up this windy dirt road I see
a spot that I think will work out. I park my bike and walk into the
forest area. The ground was soft so I would have to be careful getting
in but it would make a great bed. Looking around further I see the
perfect spot under a bunch of trees. It looked as if it could have been a
den for an elk or a moose, the perfect place to spend the night.
Private enough I could pee out in the open and covered enough the wind
couldn’t blow me away. So I hopped back on my bike pull off the road and
set up camp.
My
camp was set up and I was really proud of it. I tried to send pictures
to my mom to show her I was doing it, but there seemed to be little to
no cell service. I was out in the wilderness alone. It was ok though;
kind of like one of my hunting trips except it was the first time I had
camped since I was a kid. I ate my dry top ramen and watched the sunset.
Being in the moment I didn’t think to take pictures of the beautiful
sunset that brought the silhouette of the trees to life, instead I just
sat and enjoyed the moment. The clouds started coming in so I checked my
tarp to make sure it was secured to the trees.
That
night the skies opened up and I thought for sure I was going to be
soaked. Being the storm lover that I am I truly enjoyed being in the
excitement of it. The lightning was touching the trees and ground all
around me. Filling my tent with the natural strobe lights of a party.
The cracking of the thunder filled the air and created the wonderful
bass to follow the strobe, listening to the rain falling on my tarp
creating a beautiful beat. I lay there enjoying the symphony of the
storm. With only one concern, I lay there wondering if my camp was going
to hold up to the weather. I finally fell asleep to this wonderful
orchestra of nature.Three-a.m. I woke up startled by the sounds of coyotes singing their hunting songs all around me. It seemed as if the wild dogs had surrounded me. A fear started to build inside of me. What if the coyotes attacked me, what if there were wolves in the area, what if that’s what they were singing about? As I lay there scared, listening to their songs hoping they would leave me alone, I heard something spectacular, the sound of dogs drinking water. They were right outside drinking the water that collected on my tarp. Then the singing started up again. An overwhelming feeling of wonder joined my fear and washed it away. I peaked out of the mesh on my front door to watch three of them dance away to join their brothers in the hunt. I had become part of their world and they meant me no harm. What an amazing feeling to be so close to the nature. Feeling secure I went back to sleep wondering if they would come back for another visit.
As
I woke I listened carefully to my surroundings to see if could hear any
animals nearby. I peaked my head out for a quick search to find the
animals of the morning were busy elsewhere. I stepped out and started to
take my wet tarp down. It was cold outside and very early. As the tarp
came down I noticed the sun rising. I propped myself up on my motorcycle
to enjoy the beauty of nature before I would join the road again. With
everything I packed in back on my bike I set off.
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