Camping entirely on your own is special. The memories always stay with you. There are people that do it months on end. Regardless of how long you do it, it's magical. I had my own experience in the Sierra Madre mountains of Northern California. Again, good for you.
Bravo! Loved your adventure with all the little delightful details. There is nothing more peaceful and alive than being somewhere in Nature away from the lights, people, and so-called civilization. My kind of adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us.
A wonderful and frolicking essay. Yes, it seems to frolic. Not much else frolics anymore, so thanks for frolicking.
So, you’ve taken to testing the parameters of your already fiery independence, have you? And now you have a fresh new accomplishment to archive for posterity. These kind of essays I suspect will only become more valuable with age, serving as postcards, as it were, one mails to the future.
So I’ll play the proverbial father figure here and say, “I’m very proud of you”.
Thanks. I just go with mood as to what I write/the style. Travel is my favourite thing to document but most of the time I don’t really go very far to merit it. This weekend I’ve been a bit downer. Been more in dark poetry writing mode 🤷♀️😂 Just how it goes. I hope to have another wild camp before the summer is done or even into early autumn. We shall see.
You're the kind of person I imagine would be a fine companion travelling the world, especially by train, mule and/or burro; exploring ancient cultures, intriguing cuisines & treasures we are, ad infinitum, across the globe.
Platonically speaking, of course. With the occasional sublimation of eroticism lightly-teased behind those sparkly spiraling spirits of local red wines and champagnes.
Your spritely adolescent enthusiasm alone I think would steel my resolve to persist ever onward; whether driving a '69 Oldsmobile station wagon across Death Valley, hiking the Himalayas in route to Gsalrig Chongg in Tibet, or perhaps zig-zagging across a war zone like sexy smart spies in a classic novelette d' noir.
You had me giggling all the way through!! It was such a beautiful adventure girlie!! Camping all by yourself is definitely a very special experience!! Its exhilarating, exhausting and a little frightening all at once!! Your journey back to civilization had so many little moments of humor!! I just loved this read!! 🥰❤️🔥🥰
Thanks , lovely. You gotta laugh haven’t you? At least I have to. And mainly at yourself too. Always keep your sense of humour, it will see you through a lot!
Well you never know….. first time for everything. I want to do it again now but will try and get some lighter equipment first as I was carrying too much, that was the worst bit.
Some people sleep in hammocks with nets in, that would be a step too far for me I think. I like the idea of a bivvy bag apart from if there were slugs. Hm…..😂
Julie, I may have read the second part first, then the first part second, but all of this journey was satisfactory. I admire your sense of adventure, and the way you tell the story makes me feel like I’m right there with you. After it being safe from the dogs, and walking up you seen a campsites with all the luxury, I almost peed. I knew it was going to be exactly what you didn’t want to see😂 I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but belly laugh. Did you ever think about being a comedienne?
There are three posts I made and this is the last one. The other two are called ‘One goes wild in the country’ (1st) and ‘Pitch Perfect’ (2nd).
I try and keep a sense of humour, you have to don’t you? But depending on the genre I’m writing, it doesn’t always come through/is appropriate. Travel writing is my favourite thing to write and usually I can find the humour in those situations. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for reading.
It was proper loud. And I said batteries but actually it was one of a rechargeable plug usb ones so that made it worse. If it had have had physical batteries I could have just taken them out after use…..but no. Every time I knocked it it just cranked up😂😂
I would be if I could but commitments……you know. But we have to concentrate on what we can do now…..like sussing the night settings in my phone camera 😂😂
Ahh yes I know you would. Never say never though eh.
Just start having a fiddle with your phone camera..what phone have you got? Most now have decent cameras. I would msg you on fb but I've deactivated both my accounts. Xx
Lol this is a new account. I still have my other one but I wanted to come away from that for a while as I felt I was in a bit of a loop with it. I wanted to do all the things that I've always enjoyed but put them all together. So that's what this is! 🥰✨️💫
😂😂well if I just bought a £200 tent for one night, I guess it would be a bit of a waste. Will have to invest in some lighter other gear first though. Get the pack weight down.
I suspect wild camping in the UK is your version of wilderness camping here. Wilderness camping is a specific type of camping in which said campers trek a significant distance away from all traces of people deep into actual wilderness areas of the country. Are there wilderness areas still in the UK? Pardon my ignorance. I bet there are areas of the Scottish Highlands that qualify. One difference might be land ownership. I recall reading about how much of the land is in private hands.
In Scotland you can do it legally, in England only one area (Dartmoor) is a legal site, unsure why. But from what I understand, so long as you go far enough up and know you could be asked to move, most don’t have a problem. It’s the fly campers the farmers hate and I can’t blame them when they’re leaving litter and disposable bbqs. I took a discarded plastic bottle away myself.
What you did we might call “rustic” camping. No amenities nearby. (Water, electricity, showers/toilets). One can rustic camp in areas set aside for camping in state parks or one might illegally camp locally in a rustic fashion in city parks. In Chicago there a number of homeless camping occurring in city parks and under viaducts.
The distinction with what we would consider wilderness camping involves an effort to even get to the wilderness area and then hike or canoe in to a place where you decide to pitch your tent. This involves strict rules (not sure how they would be enforced) about carrying out everything (yes, that too in plastic bags). So places like Boundary Waters or Isle Royale…
It is possible to wilderness camp in say a state forest where the hike in is less intense…but still no formal campsite.
I think i would prefer what you did myself, but my reliance on CPAP kind of takes rustic off the table.
I have no car so for me it was trains and buses then a hike to where I pitched. Was only a 4 mile hike from the bus stop but with that back pack on, it felt like a lot more!
Here are the refs I mention:
Joanna Lumley ‘Mellow Birds’ coffee ad
https://youtu.be/4vGuXP4rcO0?is=IqLp1yH-7clwdCnY
Beginning of ‘Been Caught Stealing’ by Jane’s Addiction
https://youtu.be/4vGuXP4rcO0?is=IqLp1yH-7clwdCnY
Camping entirely on your own is special. The memories always stay with you. There are people that do it months on end. Regardless of how long you do it, it's magical. I had my own experience in the Sierra Madre mountains of Northern California. Again, good for you.
Yes, I would like to do it for longer but it was a good introduction to it and I’ve learned a lot.
Bravo! Loved your adventure with all the little delightful details. There is nothing more peaceful and alive than being somewhere in Nature away from the lights, people, and so-called civilization. My kind of adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Absolutely, you remember who you are.
A wonderful and frolicking essay. Yes, it seems to frolic. Not much else frolics anymore, so thanks for frolicking.
So, you’ve taken to testing the parameters of your already fiery independence, have you? And now you have a fresh new accomplishment to archive for posterity. These kind of essays I suspect will only become more valuable with age, serving as postcards, as it were, one mails to the future.
So I’ll play the proverbial father figure here and say, “I’m very proud of you”.
Thanks. I just go with mood as to what I write/the style. Travel is my favourite thing to document but most of the time I don’t really go very far to merit it. This weekend I’ve been a bit downer. Been more in dark poetry writing mode 🤷♀️😂 Just how it goes. I hope to have another wild camp before the summer is done or even into early autumn. We shall see.
You're the kind of person I imagine would be a fine companion travelling the world, especially by train, mule and/or burro; exploring ancient cultures, intriguing cuisines & treasures we are, ad infinitum, across the globe.
Platonically speaking, of course. With the occasional sublimation of eroticism lightly-teased behind those sparkly spiraling spirits of local red wines and champagnes.
Your spritely adolescent enthusiasm alone I think would steel my resolve to persist ever onward; whether driving a '69 Oldsmobile station wagon across Death Valley, hiking the Himalayas in route to Gsalrig Chongg in Tibet, or perhaps zig-zagging across a war zone like sexy smart spies in a classic novelette d' noir.
You’ve painted quite the picture there, Charlie. Perhaps I should market my services as a jovial companion.
In case you hadn't notice you're already that Ms Dee.
Bless you, ☺️
How can you like the damned thing before I even finished it?
Anyway, here’s Gsalrig Chongg. Maybe we get there someday. You can bring your tent.
You had me giggling all the way through!! It was such a beautiful adventure girlie!! Camping all by yourself is definitely a very special experience!! Its exhilarating, exhausting and a little frightening all at once!! Your journey back to civilization had so many little moments of humor!! I just loved this read!! 🥰❤️🔥🥰
Thanks , lovely. You gotta laugh haven’t you? At least I have to. And mainly at yourself too. Always keep your sense of humour, it will see you through a lot!
You did it! I love this adventure, Julie. I know I would be way to scared to do that alone but I have really loved reading about it!
Well you never know….. first time for everything. I want to do it again now but will try and get some lighter equipment first as I was carrying too much, that was the worst bit.
You can ditch the kitchen sink as you didn't end up using it! Just pack snacks.
Some people sleep in hammocks with nets in, that would be a step too far for me I think. I like the idea of a bivvy bag apart from if there were slugs. Hm…..😂
Have I told you my camping story? When I was in Guides? Woke up with slugs INSIDE my sleeping bag!🤢
Oh no! I would not have coped well with that at all. I was obsessed with that zip on my tent. Watched it like a hawk. Nothing was getting in😂
Julie, I may have read the second part first, then the first part second, but all of this journey was satisfactory. I admire your sense of adventure, and the way you tell the story makes me feel like I’m right there with you. After it being safe from the dogs, and walking up you seen a campsites with all the luxury, I almost peed. I knew it was going to be exactly what you didn’t want to see😂 I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but belly laugh. Did you ever think about being a comedienne?
There are three posts I made and this is the last one. The other two are called ‘One goes wild in the country’ (1st) and ‘Pitch Perfect’ (2nd).
I try and keep a sense of humour, you have to don’t you? But depending on the genre I’m writing, it doesn’t always come through/is appropriate. Travel writing is my favourite thing to write and usually I can find the humour in those situations. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for reading.
Fab Julie. Well done you...not easy! Did you do the pan pipe bits in Fernando as well?
Next time eh😂😂
Well done you! I had a right giggle about the searching for the buzzing foot pump 😂😂
It was proper loud. And I said batteries but actually it was one of a rechargeable plug usb ones so that made it worse. If it had have had physical batteries I could have just taken them out after use…..but no. Every time I knocked it it just cranked up😂😂
😂😂😂
Well done To you Julie, you did it and you slept underneath the stars and by yourself.Thanks you made me laugh.😊xxx.
I did and it won’t be the last time either. 🥰
Thoroughly enjoyed going camping with you Julie, thank you. 💖
Aww thanks so much Simone. You can come again but I’ll let you carry the backpack next time 😂😂
And you are on tent duty 🤣⛺️🙏
Julie it sounds like you had a blast! It's given you a nice taster for the longer trips out! You'll be off around the world in no time! ⛺️ xx
I would be if I could but commitments……you know. But we have to concentrate on what we can do now…..like sussing the night settings in my phone camera 😂😂
Ahh yes I know you would. Never say never though eh.
Just start having a fiddle with your phone camera..what phone have you got? Most now have decent cameras. I would msg you on fb but I've deactivated both my accounts. Xx
Just realised that it’s a new Substack account too. Either that or I’d been unsubscribed.🤷♀️😂 Your head seems like mine😂😂
Lol this is a new account. I still have my other one but I wanted to come away from that for a while as I felt I was in a bit of a loop with it. I wanted to do all the things that I've always enjoyed but put them all together. So that's what this is! 🥰✨️💫
Excellent! Long may it remain x
Just seen you've subscribed….thanks Julie 💖✨️ xx
Yes definitely 🥂. It's all the things I've always done every day. I just didn't think I could put it all together but I have 🥰 xx
Thats a good camera! Start havin a practice at night. Xx
Loved reading the three pieces on your wild night and day. 🥰😎
Aww, thanks Paul. Glad you did. I really enjoyed writing those three.
You bloody did it!!!!! ❤️
I did! And it went amazingly well although I have to carry less. I vow to become one of those obsessed microlight campers 😂😂
You’re actually going to do it again?
😂😂well if I just bought a £200 tent for one night, I guess it would be a bit of a waste. Will have to invest in some lighter other gear first though. Get the pack weight down.
The lady went camping
No stress, no care.
A mild inconvenience!..
A touch of trapped air.
Thank you Julie. 🙂
😊
I suspect wild camping in the UK is your version of wilderness camping here. Wilderness camping is a specific type of camping in which said campers trek a significant distance away from all traces of people deep into actual wilderness areas of the country. Are there wilderness areas still in the UK? Pardon my ignorance. I bet there are areas of the Scottish Highlands that qualify. One difference might be land ownership. I recall reading about how much of the land is in private hands.
In Scotland you can do it legally, in England only one area (Dartmoor) is a legal site, unsure why. But from what I understand, so long as you go far enough up and know you could be asked to move, most don’t have a problem. It’s the fly campers the farmers hate and I can’t blame them when they’re leaving litter and disposable bbqs. I took a discarded plastic bottle away myself.
What you did we might call “rustic” camping. No amenities nearby. (Water, electricity, showers/toilets). One can rustic camp in areas set aside for camping in state parks or one might illegally camp locally in a rustic fashion in city parks. In Chicago there a number of homeless camping occurring in city parks and under viaducts.
The distinction with what we would consider wilderness camping involves an effort to even get to the wilderness area and then hike or canoe in to a place where you decide to pitch your tent. This involves strict rules (not sure how they would be enforced) about carrying out everything (yes, that too in plastic bags). So places like Boundary Waters or Isle Royale…
It is possible to wilderness camp in say a state forest where the hike in is less intense…but still no formal campsite.
I think i would prefer what you did myself, but my reliance on CPAP kind of takes rustic off the table.
I have no car so for me it was trains and buses then a hike to where I pitched. Was only a 4 mile hike from the bus stop but with that back pack on, it felt like a lot more!