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Are You A Backpacker?
When we think of the term “backpacker,” we probably get a particular image in our heads: someone walking solo through Europe, going from town to town after graduating from college and hoping to discover something about themselves.
Okay, maybe our image of the backpacker isn’t that specific, but we do know one thing: being a backpacker isn’t limited to the profound. Backpacking is also about integrating hiking and camping into one enjoyable, relaxing activity that helps you get out of the world for a few days and cut loose. Spending the occasional weekend on a backpacking trip doesn’t mean you’ve mentally checked out; instead, it means you’re simply recharging your batteries.
With that in mind, ask yourself a few questions to determine whether or not you have the personality of a backpacker, and you’ll understand in a few minutes whether you have it within you.
-Do you function well alone, or at least feel the yearning to get away from things?
You might have a busy and active social life, but sometimes taking “time off” doesn’t only refer to work. Spending a day or two camping by yourself can be totally reinvigorating, especially if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a highly active social life. If a break from “people” sounds as welcoming as a break from work, you might want to spend a weekend backpacking, if even just to try it out.
-Do you enjoy camping?
You don’t need to enjoy being alone to be a backpacker; often, you can spend a backpacking trip with a friend or loved on. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you come to another question: how much do you really like camping out under the stars. To some people, the novelty of sleeping directly under the clouds or under a tent is refreshing and welcoming. To others, they can only think about how many canisters of bug repellant they’ll have to bring. If camping out without breaking the bank sounds good to you, you might have the personality of a backpacker.
-Do you want to learn self-sufficiency?
Sometimes, you don’t need to be predestined as a backpacker; you can develop those skills by backpacking! Learning self-sufficiency is a great skill, especially to people entering college or the work force. For you youngsters who want a taste of what it will be like to depend on yourself for your livelihood, a simple “one-weekend trial” can be a big step forward.
Do any of these personality types sound like you? If so, consider giving backpacking a try. You’ll enjoy your own cooked food, clear summer nights, and sometimes a more developed relationship with a loved one.
Photo Credits: Mat Honan
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How to Enjoy Kayaking
One of the most overlooked aspects of enjoying a camping trip is fully exploring the uses and potential of nearby lakes and rivers. If you’ve ever camped on a lake before, you’ve probably felt that the only options available to you are either swimming or fishing. Nothing could be further than the truth – it sounds like you need to kayak!
Kayaking can be a great, peaceful activity that gets your blood moving without exerting you too hard. While some people fully embrace it as a way to build upper body strength and balance, you don’t have to kayak for the physical benefits. Instead, inflating a simple rubber kayak or renting a wooden/metal kayak can be a great way to spend a few hours as daylight dwindles into twilight.
How do you get started with kayaking?
The first thing you’ll need is a kayak, so make sure that you’ve done some exploring to find cheap kayaking options. Local camping sites might have kayaks to rent out, but you could always find a cheap kayak online or an inflatable one. If you purchase an inflatable kayak, make sure there are no leaks by testing it out in shallow waters first. You’ll also want to remember to buy an auto-inflater that uses batteries, as blowing up a kayak by yourself can be quite a chore.
Once you have a kayak or two secured, make sure you have an idea of where to go. On a small lake, you don’t have to worry about getting lost, but large rivers can be a different story. Make sure that you’re capable of getting back to where you started, especially in rougher waters where it can be extremely difficult to control your direction.To spice up your kayak trip, you’ll also want to take a waterproof camera, or at least a well-protected digital camera. Why is this? It won’t only help you remember the trip, but it will provide some snapshots for others to see what you were able to find on your kayak. If you have a companion kayaking with you, you’ll also be able to take some great water-level pictures with extraordinary scenery and backgrounds.
Also, be sure that you don’t overexert yourself on your first kayaking trip. It can be easy to overestimate one’s own endurance, and even though you “feel great” starting out the trip, you might tire easily if it’s your first time. Make sure you don’t stray too far from home base – after you’re confident in your abilities, you can start to venture out farther and continue exploring.
Make sure to wear a life preserver, and you’ll be all set for a safe, secure, and enjoyable kayaking trip – and you can be home just in time for a flame-grilled dinner.
Photo Credits; SergioDJT
