The window was open. The rain fell in sweeping curtains. I pulled the heavy smell of desert rain deep into my chest and closed my eyes. I tried not to think about gear again.
I agonized over every piece of it for so long. I could regurgitate the pros and cons of each tiny expensive item and why I felt it was best for me. But after a ton of deliberating, I decided not to share any of this on my blog. It’s too easy for my feelings to get hurt if someone far away poo-poo’s my intimate decisions of clothing or life-saving gear…or says my pack is too heavy…or says I didn’t bring enough of the whatevers. If I’m wrong and I made a poor decision, I can deal with that. I just don’t want my wrong to mean anyone else is right… I hate it when other people are right.
So just be aware that I bought some clothes, and a lovely tent just the right size. I have a little stove and a good, warm sleeping bag. I have shoes and some ibuprofen, and I’ll bring along some coffee. Just picture my life rich with happy simplicity, and a ton of ultra-sophisticated electronics, out there somewhere in the woods.
And since all that’s been said, I can try one more time to stop thinking about it.
And close my eyes.
And listen to the rain.