Singin' in the Rain- Boondocking in Humbolt National Forest

Dean  (the husband)
Shalane  (the wife  :O)

We had a great time visiting with our friends in Idaho over the holiday weekend, but yesterday, we decided it was time to head back to Pioche.  After driving nearly 250 miles we saw a sign for Duck Creek.  At the time, we were traveling down US Highway 93 about six miles north of McGill, NV.  We decided it would be worth our while to check it out since it said that it was only 13 miles, and we weren’t in any big hurry.  We had already passed up a couple of campgrounds, but when we had driven up the nicely paved road exactly five miles, we saw a sign that said Bird Creek.  It was a gravel road, but it lead to a beautiful mountainous area.  We drove up to an empty National Forest Picnic Area that had recently been converted into a campground.  

Trying to describe it, would be like trying to describe perfection.  The site we chose was large, had ample firewood and a nice picnic table.  It was surrounded by pine and aspen trees, had a clear water creek running along its edge and was encircled by beautiful, snow-capped mountains.  The smell was as intoxicating as the view.   Almost immediately we saw two deer bolting across the side of the mountain.  Evidently they were spooked by the distant thunder.  Eventually, the storm made its way to our location.  Being from Las Vegas, where so far through the first six months of the year we have had a mere ¼ of an inch of rain, this was a treat beyond measure.   We laid down on the cots in the bed of our truck and watched and listened to the downpour.  This was one of my favorite parts of the day!  Have you ever cuddled while camping in the rain?  It’s the best way to cuddle. ;O) We even fell asleep for an hour or so.   After the rain fell, the scent from the trees was magnified.   It’s an invigorating aroma beyond description. 

 After the rain stopped, I quickly made a fire with the dry wood that we had covered with a small tarp that we carry.   Quickly made a fire?!  Well, he quickly STARTED to make a fire.  Everything was so wet that it took both of us quite a while to get the fire going strong.  We had to baby it for nearly an hour before we were sure that it would stay lit.  It was fun though.  We enjoyed working together and playing with the fire.  (Don't tell my mom. :O)  Next, was a dinner for the ages, chili cooked in a mess kit pan.   We didn’t even divvy it into bowls.  We just took the bubbling chili off the fire, sat close together in the chilled air and each went at it with our own little plastic spoon.  That was the best chili I've ever had in my life. Though, admittedly, the same chili cooked over the stove at home, would not have tasted nearly as delicious.  I followed that with a cup of hot cocoa.    I had hot Tang.  Perfect!  As if the day wasn’t already as good as it could get, a beautiful sunset shone across the evening sky.  As my wife and I watched,  I told her how lucky we were to be able to be here to enjoy this day in the mountains.  She shared something that I think sums it all up.  She said, “It’s all because we decided to get off the paved road.”  May we all take the opportunity to get off the paved road from time to time.  Happy Trails, my friends!