Let’s Talk About Luxe, Baby
Luxury Items. Everyone has a different definition of what that means. I told my husband that I was going to do a post about luxury items and he said, “Oh what, like your new axe?”…friends, what, no. That’s essential because I’m not curb stomping branches for firewood. It’s different for him. I might be hauling more weight than I need, well no, I definitely am, but I don’t think I’m out of pocket here.
Item #1 - Camp Chair
I have a new chair that I did not bring on my first few solos. This chair is under 2 pounds and feels like a hug. I’ve learned from my journeys that I am not the kind of hiker that is cool with standing or plopping onto the ground. I like to sit. I can’t explain it. After a long day, I want comfort and sitting is the most glorious form of that in my brain.
Item #2 - Fluffy Blanky
Another useless item that takes up space. I like a good $8.99 fluffy blanket from Walmart. My current camp blanket is adorned in moons and stars and zodiac signs and it (combined with aforementioned cozy chair) gives me so much peace. I’m already in my safe space, I might as well lean in and have a fluffy blanky with me too.
Item #3 - Books
I like to bring a little notebook, a mini logic puzzle book, and a book for reading. I also bring a hoard of pencils, pens, and sticky notes. On my last trip, I finished reading Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis. It was a wonderful read and he is my new literary idol, if at the least, for his shear honesty and style. Unrelated of course, but reading is something I wish I had more time for, and when you are alone in the woods and dealing with hours upon hours of silence, a busy brain makes for a happy head in my case. I like to journal and take notes as well, so these fancy items might be an annoyance or luxury for some, but they feel like they are of the same importance to me as say, my pocket stove or my knife.
Item #4 - Comfort Clothes
Recently, I discussed my new camp slippers. I’m still using them inappropriately and at all times. They are fun and pretty and warm and definitely not an essential item. My train of thought though goes back to my younger days as an athlete. My dad would always tell me that if you look good, you feel good, you train good, and therefore compete good. Grammar aside, it’s been a motto for me for decades. If I wear something that makes me feel nice, I might feel strong enough or confident enough or whatever the actual psychological case may be, to do another mile. It’s just an old piece of advice that has consistently resonated with me.
Item #5 - Spicy Drinks
I like caffeine. I like my bestie, Mr. Jack Daniels. I like them to be together. It’s added weight and useless and luxury. But, nom nom. Also, no one call my mom. I’m not out here getting hammered in the woods. I just like some things and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I like them enough to carry them.
I’m sure there are a solid dozen things that I carry outside of this list that others would consider luxe. Like I brought up earlier, Derek thinks an axe is extra. He also thinks fire starters outside of flint is comfort and yeah, sure, they are, but I’m not on Survivor and I do this to sit in silence and read and talk to squirrels. To each their own. As long as you pack all of your nonsense out, however much extra crap that may be, you just need to do you.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, or wildly overthought things to be essential in my head and they probably aren’t. This list will no doubt get updated down the line as I get over confident or tired of carrying crap. Time will tell!
See you out there!
