Saturday morning, we had a quick breakfast and headed out. With a two-hour hike back to the car, a 3ish hour drive home, and a 4:00 meeting Matthew needed to get to, we had needed to get up and get moving.
Thankfully packing up went pretty quick and we were on our way shortly after 9:00 am. Dude, ever the kid to just put his head down and get a job done was in the front for the most of the way back.
Luca needed a bit more help. Matthew found on the way into camp on Thursday that she does a lot better listening to music. Thankfully we had just enough cell service to listen to spotify to help her along, but she and I also got a lot of mama-daughter time on that hike back. Slow but steady.
At some point about half-way back, slow and steady was getting a lot slower and a lot less steady and Matthew helped out his sweet little girl by carrying her pack the rest of the way. At first she declined the offer, stating that her bag was her burden to carry, but when we explained that she was right but she could still ask for help, she relented. Everyone was a lot faster after that. It helped to let her know that she's only 9 and this is a big adventure for a 9-year old.
Multiple miles later, we made it back to the car and while they were tired, they were definitely happier than they look in the picture.
So the question is, would we do it again. Matthew always enjoys backpacking, so he's a given. I was nervous since I haven't been in over 30 years, but it was way better than expected. I would super do it again. I had the kids give their assessment.
First Dude:
In my opinion the best part of backpacking is the fact that this time we went with our cousins. The reason is that it is nice to have more people to play with that not only share the same-ish blood, you have similar interests. I had loads of fun playing on this particularly flat and big rock that we turned into our fortress. It was super fun.
The worst part of backpacking being the entire time we went I was getting munched by mosquitos. The reason I say this is because the bites stay with your for days and itch like crazy I HATE MOSQUITOS!!!!! Mosquitos are nature's demons and if we ever go back I would sincerely hope that it would be in a place that would have less mosquitos.
In conclusion I'd say that I would go back sometime. Because not only was the echo great, the scenery was awesome and the terrain super fun to play in. I know how to pack lightly and how important that is to the trip. So all in all at some point in the distant future I would say yes to going back to backpacking.
Now Luca:
So, one time in August we went backpacking. We drove like, 2 or 3 hours to get to the trailhead then hiked 5 miles to our campsite. Halfway through 1 cousin, my brother, and an uncle went ahead and got the campsite without the rest of us. My mom asked me to write to her about what things I liked, what things I did not like, and if I would do it again.
What I liked was getting to hang out with a few cousins and getting good leg muscles to make me healthy and seeing 2 baby deer.
What I did not like was seeing all of my poor family's bug bites and peeing in the woods and finally . . . The food! It was chewy and non fresh, just bleh.
Would I do it again? heck yeah! I'd totally do that again. and I can't wait to do it again.
So I guess the Marlers are game for going again!
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