On December 12, Jonathan and I trekked to the primitive camping area in Pedernales Falls State Park in the Texas Hill Country. It had been 28 years since I'd backpacked, and was the first one for Jonathan ever in 22 years. We'd each been car camping in those years, but carrying in two nights' worth of gear for 2.5 miles takes more discipline and effort. We had great weather -- overnight lows in mid-40s, daytime highs in mid 60s; clear nights, partly cloudy days with a brisk breeze, full moon and bright Evening Star -- as we camped among the junipers on the bluffs above the Pedernales River. We hiked 12-13 miles over the 2-night trip, 5 of those with full backpack.
Jonathan has all the new gear -- backpack with internal frame, Columbia two-man tent -- but he was using a 3 season sleeping bag my dad made c. 30 years ago from an REI kit. I couldn't help myself and said things like, "When I was a kid. . . " And even though I was the first one to say, half way into a 5 mile hike on Saturday, "Who's idea was this?" Jonathan quickly admitted that it was pretty tiring. But at 55, I still held my own. Not sore at all. Really.
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