Didn't Have to Say a Thing...

I Knew What She was Thinkin'
Roll, roll me away,
won't you roll me away tonight
I too am lost, I feel double-crossed
and I'm sick of what's wrong and what's right
We never even said a word,
we just walked out and got on that bike
And we rolled
We rolled clean out of sight

We rolled across the high plains
Deep into the mountains
Felt so good to me
Finally feelin' free

Having already noticed a mistake, Google’s directions wanted to take us into the back of the campground, when obvious signs for the entrance stood right in front of us. We had real maps as a backup, and they contradicted the carefully planned directions. So the first part of our trip, we ditched Google Maps and planned our every mile with a fold out map and highlighter. Back to basics people! Again, plan not to plan…but maintaining an adaptable personality is always a good idea! Windows down, we drove through a back country road where the crisp air distinctly smelled of Christmas trees and pine needles. Nothing quite like it!

As liberating as this was, our first campsite in New Hampshire was a walk-in which we were in a hurry to get to before dark. Needless to say we arrived just at dusk? So as not to have to make too many trips in the dark to the site, we tried first to pile as much stuff up as possible. This did not work so well and we ended up walking past our site, stepping ankle deep in puddles and busting butts on rocks and tree limbs that we could only see by moonlight. All the while in between, my eyes swelling with tears for brief moments. Thank goodness for the full moon! Our site was so knobby, sandy, and close to the water that the campground had to install a wooden, raised tent pad above the marshland that was not quite large enough to accommodate our tent, leaving a foot of overhang on each side. In the dark, we battled 4 inch moths in our faces, all the while setting up our tent, as well as trying to cook. Meanwhile, our brand new mattresses inflated inside the tent, which we were told could take a couple of hours the first time unrolling them from their factory sealed freshness. You know that “new car smell”? Well, for people like us, there is a “new camp gear smell”. Nice! At the end of the night, we passed out on our comfy camp pads, with visions of new camp gear dancing in our heads.

The next morning, we gazed our surroundings…it was well worth the bruise on my butt. However, as beautiful as everything was, we had to go into town. Dave was scheduled to have a phone interview and we had to find a cell tower fast! We drove to the nearest town 2 hours early, grabbed greasy breakfast at a diner, and found a quiet spot to pull the car over for the interview. After it was all over, it was finally time to go back and relax!

Between the greasy diner, sweaty walk-in, muddy ankles, and oily hair, Dave was brave (or desperate) enough to swim in the pond. I on the other hand was not so easily convinced. “Where are the showers? I’d rather just have a hot bath and get fully cleaned.”
“Oh, I thought I told you. This campground doesn’t have showers.”
“Shocking.” I suddenly remembered the exact moment he was telling me. And I remember telling myself: no big deal, I’ve gone a couple of days without a shower before. But this wasn’t the same. I jealously watched Dave as he swam out to the center of the pond. I’m not really a prissy girl, but I just couldn’t get myself to join him. He managed to come out clean and leach-less, “That wasn’t so bad…except something kept wrapping around my legs.” Needless to say, the next day I found another campground nearby and took advantage of their hot showers before venturing into Maine.


Stood alone on a mountain top,
starin' out at the Great Divide
I could go east, I could go west,
it was all up to me to decide
Just then I saw a young hawk flyin'
and my soul began to rise
And pretty soon
My heart was singin'

Roll, roll me away,
I'm gonna roll me away tonight
Gotta keep rollin, gotta keep ridin',
keep searchin' till I find what's right
And as the sunset faded
I spoke to the faintest first starlight
And I said next time
Next time
We'll get it right 

~Bob Seger