Packing for an Entire Week of Life

I've been thinking about what I'd pack a lot more than I've been thinking about where I'd go.  I've never gone backpacking more than three days, I've also never gone by myself - I have got to be smart about what I pack.

I overthink.  I over-research.  I've put in links to some of the gear I've purchased, some is stuff I already had.

           

That Time We Became Craigslist Models

I was up late one night, browsing Craigslist when I come across an ad... This one seemed different, legitimate.  There was a photographer who was starting out in the Coeur d'alene area and looking to build his portfolio.  I figure- what the heck, I e-mail the guy.  We find a time that works.

The roommate comes with me—not only is meeting strangers in a park by yourself not the greatest idea, who doesn’t want some BFF pictures?!  There are very few pictures of the two of us together before this incident.

We meet Chris, who tells us a bit more about his new photography business - Inanimacy Photography.  He is a nature photographer but has recently started doing portrait and family photography as well.  He has a bit of an unusual method, which I found quite intriguing.  Instead of the awkward ‘sit here, no - tilt your head more to the left, smile, really smile, that’s your fake smile,’ he wants his clients to pretend he is not there and capture life in the moment.  This is brilliant for someone, like myself, who just can’t smile on cue.  Can’t do it.

After our day in the park, Chris sent us many images to choose from.  He snapped over an entire memory card worth of photos.  We were told to choose any sort of editing style we wanted, although Tristram and I agreed to let him run with his creativity.

Chris- we wish you the best with your new endeavor! 

What is it Like to Wake Up to the Person You Love, Every Morning?

Something most young and single people have wondered.  Being three-weeks away from a wedding date has a way of making a starry-eyed-girl wonder what forever feels like.

A few drinks* brought me right back to this ponder-ance... 

Be warned now:  I'm not good at small talk - I don't watch the weather or television.  I read, I overthink, I enjoy debating and mental stimulation.

I Take Staying Warm Very Seriously

I sleep with a down blanket, all year long.  Not even kidding.  Knowing this about myself - staying warm while outside by myself was one of my biggest fears.   

At Least I didn't Get Lost

Anyone who's gone anywhere with me, including someplace as simple as your local Target, knows I have zero sense of direction.  Nada.  You know how I get to my close friends' houses?  I google it, just to be sure - otherwise I'll end up going the wrong direction.  As I'm sure you've already guessed, prime backpacking locations are not known for the cell-phone service, and I really wanted to get away from excessive technology anyway.

I'm a procrastinator, hardcore.  As mentioned earlier, route-planning is my least favorite part of it all and I was putting it off.

Homemade Eczema Cream

I don't actually have eczema.  In fact- I have rather oily skin, which after living in the desert for a few years doesn't have many issues.

My skin is prone to break-outs and irritation, so I started using coconut oil as a moisturizer.  One day, I started mixing together my own lotions - mostly because the coconut oil is either rock solid or a runny mess.  

The engineer in me what's to solve problems and create things for a purpose.  Hence, my desire to make an eczema cream.  I'm curious as to it's effectiveness, so I'm looking for a few more (My roommate currently gladly tests out every concoction) people who are willing to test out the product.  

Have you figured out where you're going yet?

Undoubtably, the question I have been asked most since announcing I would be wandering around the woods for a week by myself.

And- no, as of right this second, I have not.  I've had some fairly good reasons for procrastinating the logistics.