Away We Stay: Always Wanted To
I've always wanted to do that, say about half the people who ask about Away We Go. This has been happening more frequently as we introduce ourselves to our new state and is especially true in this adventure-rich town with people who profess to love camping and actually mean it.
It’s the ghost of my past self every time I hear this because I agree. It took a momentous global event and drastic change in circumstance and still, there are hundreds of places our trips could died in the water. The idea could have sunk to the bottom of the lake that holds all my regrets in cold stasis. Perfectly preserved so that when I wish, all I have to do is dive in. Hold my breath and they'll be there for me to turn over in my hands, examine at every possible angle while trying desperately to remember what it was like to be able to feel my toes.
“Maybe it took the heartache of all those roads not taken to point me in the direction of this one.”
But this idea came to life and flourished in the sun. We did this thing that people I admire say they wanted to do too. These are the variety of people that run 100 miles on purpose, surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon and maybe a jog afterwards if the sun's still up.
We went for our first camping trip in our new state a few weeks ago. Invited a family that we sort of know, who invited their friend who knows a good slice of the recreation community and a few of his friends showed up too. Our campsite turned from just the 4 of us to over 30 people in a matter of a few hours. They came at staggered times so we told our story on repeat. A new detail every time so the others wouldn't get bored. Mentioning the kind of lucky we were at least twice every ten minutes.
To a person, each one said they wanted to do it. They explained their reasons not to, all of which I remember clearly. Many of which are 100% valid: how do you do this with kids? How do you find places to stay? How do you work? For the record, I'm also curious how to do it with kids. I still don't think I did it right.
I've always wanted to do that, and I did it. This is a thing I will be able to say I have done for the remainder of my days. I am awash in regret about so many things in my past but this is not one of them. Maybe it took the heartache of all those roads not taken to point me in the direction of this one.
Perhaps the days on the road will be the highlight of my time on earth. Perhaps one of these families will choose to go for it themselves and find their own way on the other side of always wanting to.
I can say for once, that I did what I always wanted to do.
Inspired by events at an unnamed lake in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah.
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