Shortly after that conversation, J got a permit for us to go camping at Stuart Lake in early August (for 3 days, 2 nights). I bought my first hiking backpack and lightweight sleeping bag for this trip. Sprayed all our clothe, our backpacks, and tent with permethrin (mosquito repellent). Bought natural deet-free repellents just to find out a couple days before our adventure that the bugs/mosquitoes are extremely bad where we're going during this time. I'm allergic to mosquito bites and all mine tends to swell up like a golf-ball. Have you seen the movie Hitch? My mosquito bites look like Will Smith's face! LOL! The moment I heard of this update, we went out and got "jungle juice" at REI (99% deet).... If this sh*t doesn't work, I'm OK to say I did the best I can.
The hike up was about 5 elevated miles. It wasn't so bad but I was ready to find a spot, sit, and take the heavy backpack off my back. We went with another couple and the two guys found the most beautiful spot I can imagine. It was a small spot out of the forest and slightly above the water. Either we got lucky or the camp location saved us (being slightly out of the woods), but we had little experience with mosquitoes.
Day 1, was basically hiking to our camp spot, relax, eat dinner and call it a night.
Next morning, we woke up to the sun rising over the water. It was breathtaking. There is definitely a feeling of humbleness when you wake up in nature and surrounded by the beauty and simple living. I sat on the rocks looking into the sun with a cup of coffee in my hand and leaning against my husband. I took a deep breath and remember feeling like this was the most perfect moment. And most of all, I felt extremely grateful.
Day 2, we decided to do a day hike to Horse Shoe Lake.... it was mostly all OFF TRAIL hiking (I mean, climbing over huge boulders, using branches to help pull us up, and stepping over plants and dead branches) all at a 45 decree incline the whole time. It was crazy but a lot of fun. We made it to the top with a beautiful view of our Stuart Lake and had lunch there. With Horse Shoe Lake not in sight, we decided to head back to camp.
We ended the day with dinner and playing Pictionary! It was so funny and a lot of fun!
Day 3, I had another wonderful, quiet, coffee morning on the rocks looking over the water as the sun rises. This day we took our time breaking down camp and hiked back down. Downhill was easy and felt super fast to me. I sorta wished it was a few more miles to be honest. Seeing that we were already at the parking lot, I felt a little disappointed. It was a great first-time backpack camping experience! I'm hooked!!! :)
There were some people that didn't think I was a backpack camping type of girl because I enjoy wearing makeup. I don't understand how wearing makeup makes you not a sporty or active girl but I've been told I look very girly-girl and feminine. I'm actually a lot stronger and tougher than I look.... SURPRISE!!!!... hahaha! I know when people think of camping and being in nature, they think you should go all-natural and wear no makeup.... UM, not me... I know a nice face won't save me from the mosquito bites, poison ivy, or bear attack... but I ENJOY makeup... here's the difference though.... I wear a tinted moisturizing sunscreen as my foundation and light natural looking makeup vs how I would look normally if I were to go out to a nice evening dinner.
Here was my skincare routine at camp:
- At night I used a makeup wipe to remove my makeup and build-up of sunscreen, then I wet a little clothe and use it to remove any lift over makeup and to feel more fresh.
- I use a light moisturizer (not a night cream because I try to minimize what I bring).
- In the morning I wet a clothe and wipe my face. The cold water is really refreshing.
- I put the same light moisturizer on in the morning,
- and then applied a heavy layer of sunscreen.
Here was my makeup routine at camp:
- I use a tinted moisturizer foundation I created myself and put it in a small sample container I got at The Body Shop. I love their sample containers! (get a sample of their products and re-use the container)
- Several drops of Maybelline Super Stay in Nude (love this foundation because it stays on well in humility and when you're active).
- A squeeze of primer
- A couple drops of sunscreen
Now the foundation is diluted and sheer enough to looks like a tinted moisturizer.
- I put some bronzer on to add some color
- Light pink blush
- Gotta do my brows
- And brought a gift-with-purchase eye shadow mini-case sample with multiple colors I got from Estee Lauder and used the natural gold and gray colors to create my look.
- I lined my eyes with a black eye liner pencil and smudge it to look more natural and less harsh.
- Applied SPF 15 chapstick, a natural nude rose lipstick, and for the rest of the day I simply applied gloss.
TA-DA!!!! DONE! :)
