The Wilds Call for a Return

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“Now I see the secret of making the best person: it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” ― Walt Whitman

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Quite a bit of time in my formative years was spent thigh-deep in the swamps and rivers of S. Georgia fishing, gigging, and hunting small game. The life lessons garnered through these childhood pursuits would become more valuable than I could ever imagine and the root of many of my happiest memories. These forays into the woods helped me develop a deep appreciation for nature, animals, and the ability to rely upon oneself in, sometimes, difficult situations.

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My grandson is turning 5 years old in a few months and I've been thinking it is time to start slowly getting him involved with all the activities that hold such a dear place in my heart and memories. I'm hoping that I can share my passion with him and guide him through those tough things I had to learn through pain and suffering lolol and by doing so he will develop the same love of nature and animals that I have. Unfortunately, life, as it often does, has slowly limited the amount of time I spend hiking. Fourteen years ago I moved to a much less rural area just SW of Atlanta, GA. The silver lining to this is we are not too far from the N. Georgia mountains (we call them mountains, but in reality most people from out west snicker at their moniker of "mountain" and refer to the area as just a bit "hilly" 😁) and there is no shortage of fascinating opportunities to hike to waterfalls, fish, and camp. I have alluded in several of my recent posts about the significant weight loss I've experienced this past year(a full post dedicated to that journey is in the works) and the time seems perfect to re-dedicate some time and effort into hiking and camping and to share this lifestyle with my grandson. As a bonus, it will afford me the opportunity to teach him my other passion, fly fishing!

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My initial plan is to start with fairly short day hikes to some waterfalls and then to eventually build the trips up to overnight camping and then to culminate this into doing a trip where you are hiking along trout streams and fishing throughout the trip until you reach camping areas to, hopefully, clean and cook the fish you've caught or, worse-case-scenario, enjoy some Vienna Sausage and potted meat 😂. I say all of the previous to get to the point that I have no gear whatsoever(well not much to speak of) and need to do some serious research on everything I will need to make it a safe and enjoyable trip for my little guy. I grew up in a different time and under MUCH different circumstances than my grandson and many of my excursions into the unknow were done so with a knife, lighter, fishing line, hooks, and a desire to escape my reality.

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I have a few items saved in my Amazon wish list that were suggestions from a friend to hikes and camps with his son for Boy Scouts and I'm hoping to build to this list and buy a few items at a time until I get everything we might need. I'm thinking in the beginning, since he is so young, that using a conventional tent set up will be best, but I'm extremely intrigued by the idea of using hammock tents and hope to eventually work on using that method for the hike-in fishing and camping.

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Ok, this is were you all come in!!! I would really, really appreciate some feedback and suggestions on gear you have used and vouch for for simple one or two day hikes and camping. I'm looking for input on things like lightweight cooking kits, safe fire sources (in case campfires are prohibited), etc and also any tips and tricks you may have come across if this is your type of activity. Thank you all!

Here is a recent post I composed about my obsession with the ocean, The Ocean Dark.

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All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter,
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
-Tolkien

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