sun, backpacking, and the State of the 'Flicted Head-Blood Vessels

[fireandearth]

I managed to sunburn my back during the 20 minutes I spent outside eating lunch today. An elegant parasol is sounding more and more appealing for the girl who shouldn't spend 5 minutes in strong sunlight. It's not just the fair skin, it's the migraine drugs, too. Speaking of, I'm becoming more accustomed to my new diet restrictions. It's automatic Pavlovian training.*

And getting back to the sun problem (why, exactly, do most things in my life relate back to migraines eventually?) since my deadline for the bustle dress disappeared, I'm putting more energy into my end-of-July backpacking trip. I called my parents to make sure they we're planning to use the gear I wanted to borrow those days, and my father got all excited and wants to come along. For some reason I have less irrational fear about managing to interact with him for several days in the wilds of Virginia than I do about most people. I always feel a bit stunted about social interactions, even though I gather it doesn't appear that way to others. Anyway, I'm thinking about my trip and reading up on gear with a thought to buying some relatively inexpensive stuff via ebay to fill out my personal collection. And I'm un-abandoning the thought of getting a second trip in this year. Perhaps even with people (ooo, scary).

Every time I start reading about backpacking again I fantasize about through-hiking the Appalachian Trail again. I've had this particular fantasy for about as long as I can remember, being a daughter of avid hikers. And I'm reminded that I still consider canoing one of my hobbies, though I haven't been in a canoe in a few years now. *sadness* I have too many (time-consuming) hobbies.


*
I want OJ.
Ow.
I want OJ.
Ow!
No thanks, I'm suddenly feeling an aversion to OJ.

Comments

[winterbadger]

I want to do some hiking, backpacking, and canoeing (or even better, kayaking) sometime soon too, though I'm not as dedicated as plutosonium about the duration of my hikes (talk to her about AT through-hikes...)

[tcepsa.livejournal.com]

And I'm reminded that I still consider canoing one of my hobbies, though I haven't been in a canoe in a few years now.

Hehe, same here--I hadn't realized how long it has been until you said that though. *sigh* I haven't even slept in a tent for about a year now, and that was at a campground for a family reunion so it wasn't so much about the camping part as it was about having somewhere that seven people can sleep in between hanging out with extended family menbers. Fortunately, I'll be fixing all of this in about a week. ^_^

[emeraldliz.livejournal.com]

5 dollars for a cute lace parasol at Kay-Bee, they have white, pink, blue, and purple. It's the latest piece in my costume collection.

[fireandearth]

As in the toystore KayBee? How wide across is it?

[emeraldliz.livejournal.com]

Love the Kayleigh pic!!

And yes, I've seen them in various Kay-Bees, but the one I got mine and saw all the colors at was at Arundel Mills.

I'd say it's about 3-4 feet across- just big enough to look right on my 5'4" frame without being in the way.

[kmusser]

I'm always up for outdoorsy stuff - the AT is only 5 minutes from my house :-)

[mgs-naughtycat.livejournal.com]

awwww, I so wanna get out again. *sighs* I wouldn't be able to handle any serious amount of packing, its been too damn long.
Someday...
I'm with you, I have too many other hobbies that suck up my time :(

[fuzzloc.livejournal.com]

" I fantasize about through-hiking the Appalachian Trail again"

So is that through hiking again or fantasing again?
Either way I hope you take the time to do
A frined of mine spent an obscene amount of time on the trail (okay not obscene)
amd from his descriptions and stories I wanted to through hike and i'm not much of an outdoorsy person

[fireandearth]

Fantasizing again. I've never spent more than 3 weeks out in the backcountry at a time. Hiking the Appalachian Trail generally takes 5-7 months, and you tend to forget the bad stuff once you're safely back home. ;)