Paddling and Backpacking Rituals
Rituals are important for Jess and I. Little things make a world of difference when you’re putting you head down in a different place every night. We take an inflatable pink flamingo along on every trip. Flo the Guard Flamingo watches out for us when we’re stuck in the middle of some kind of maelstrom or another. We haven’t died yet so I guess she’s doing her job.
Another ritual is the unwrapping of a peppermint patty to finish each day. That’s not to say that I won’t unwrap those tasty treats any other time—I’d eat the whole bag if I knew I wouldn’t be sick as a dog. During my thru-hike I’d have to ration the patties out carefully because I could only carry so many. I would sit on a cold log somewhere and gently peel back the wrapper, savoring the pepperminty scent as it wafted in the air. Slowly, I would eat away those delicious chocolaty edges then woof down the core. No matter how crappy things have been, everything’s all right as long as there’s a patty waiting for me. There’s some serious mojo packed into those things.
Setting up the tent the same way each night is another part of our routine. My watch and headlamp are always wrapped around a water bottle. That bottle gets put next to my sandals. Jess puts her book and glasses in the gear loft and her headlamp stays in the mesh pocket by her head. I sleep on the right side of the tent. She sleeps on the left. This feels all nice and homey, but more importantly it helps to know where your headlamp is when you’ve got to pee in the middle of the night.