First Outing of the Year

Hey Adventurers!

     This past weekend we took our first trip of the season. Meghan has some family friends that own a cabin up on Snake River near Hinkley, MN. We didn't fully backpack but we did hike to the location and test out the equipment we had. It was also the first time that Aliya, Meg's 4 year old daughter, was camping. She was incredibly excited but wasn't too keen on the 2 mile hike to the cabin.

This was the view we had from our tent.

     The common theme from the quick trip was "good to know!". It was good to know that I needed a smaller sleeping bag, larger pack, and other things. It was also good to know what muscles got sore from carrying our packs, and carrying Aliya when she begged Rie enough, so we know what body parts to train.

Meg setting up the tent and the contents of Rie's pack all over the ground.

     Minnesota lived up to it's reputation with unpredictable weather because it was supposed to be around 65 degrees and sunny. That forecast turned into being 55 but feels like 30 with overcast clouds. The tent turned out to be more spacious than I anticipated. It fit Meg, Aliya, and I relatively comfortably. It did get a bit cold but it was all a learning process.

Aliya throwing sticks into the water. 

   We were able to test out the water purifier as well. It was incredibly impressive at being able to turn the river water into being drinkable in only a few minutes. Granted the color of the water looked unappetizing it tasted just like well water! The type of water purifier Meg got was the Platypus  Gravity Works 4 Liter. It worked wonders!

Paused the four wheeler ride to take a selfie

The best view from an outhouse you'll ever see.

Although this wasn't the hardest camping trip it was a really nice start to the summer, Aliya was able to enjoy her first camping trip, and we all were able to enjoy nature even if it was for a short time.  This ended up being an exciting quick trip that will only lead to more fun this summer. 

It was a long day so Rie and Aliya crashed hard.