Rule #37: Enjoy the Little Things

In Zombieland, it's twinkies.
For me, it's:

-having a dog that might not be too bright, but is full of love
-getting a kiss goodbye every morning from someone who loves me
-waking up slowly to a quiet apartment
-getting together with my friends every week to kill bad guys and score some awesome loot

--

Dad, Patrick, and I were hiking this weekend, and enjoyed it thoroughly. We had a bit of a late start due to a medical emergency at the ranger station, but we spent about three hours on the trail and made it to the wilderness (read: pump water and port-a-potties) campsite around 2:30. We sat around for a minute to regain our breaths, and then set up.
We cooled our feet by standing in the river for a little bit, and then Patrick and I took a short nap while my dad sharpened his leatherman tool. After a brief hunt for firewood, we dragged our findings back to discover that some careless camper had left some very very hot ashes sitting in the fire ring. We spread them out a bit, and laid our wood and kindling down on top of them. It took about an hour, but with no help from us, our fire started from those very very hot ashes. How dangerous!
Dinner was instant noodles and canned chicken, lacking a little flavor but warm and filling. As the sun started to set we pulled our ponchos over to the fire and sat down around it. We played cards for a while and watched the fire burn low. It was a long day and I was tired, so I went to bed around 9. Good thing, too, because the foam eggcrate padding I brought to sleep on wasn't terribly comfortable. I got in a few hours of sleep before waking up around midnight with a terrible ache in my shoulder and a feeling like someone had punched me repeatedly in the hipbone. I tossed and turned until I fell asleep on my stomach around 2. Woke up around 7 and hung around in the tent for a little while more.
The weather had been threatening rain for Sunday, and as the clouds looked very menacing and the humidity was building steadily, we opted to hike back out along the way we came and meet my mom along the main path. We woke her up very early for a Sunday to do this, but she's such a wonderful woman, she got up and came to get us anyway. I love you, Mom!

Patrick and I arrived home before his sister (who was watching Kobold for us) was even awake. Patrick started breakfast (the bisquick pancakes that were supposed to have at the campsite, but skipped in favor of beating the rain) while I started unpacking. I took a quick shower and felt half a pound lighter after washing off the sweat and dirt, then sat down and ate. Patrick showered while his sister woke up (she's a late sleeper) and we played some video games for a little while before Kelly left.
When our yawning made pwning n00bs too difficult, we took a short nap. Dropped the stuff we borrowed off at my parents' house and chatted for a little bit, then came home to be lazy. My back had stiffened up by then, and my hips still felt like they'd been used for punching bags, so we didn't do a whole lot. Played some Halo with Patrick's cousin Ben, and then relaxed in bed for a bit before going to bed around 9:30.
Poor Patrick had to get up early for work today, but he'll nap when he comes home. I plan on spending the day relaxing and doing minimal work (dishes from last night, laundry to put away) before I head over to my parents' house to set up the tent. Gotta make sure it airs out before it gets put away for a while, otherwise it might start getting mildew. I'll let it sit out for an hour or so and then pack it back up.
Nice, slow day.


Picture time!












"We are part of the earth, and it is part of us."
~Chief Seattle