10/12/2008 1:37:42 PM: MY first journal entry and it has nothing to do with BDSM. So this weekend I decided to get back to nature and go camping.  I haven't done this in years and have been itching to go for some reason.  I guess I just want to get out of the house more on weekends.  I asked a bunch of people to go, but everyone was busy or wasn't interested.  I therefore decided 'Fuck it' I'll just go by myself.  If you wait for everyone else sometimes you end up waiting forever.  I hit up a place I'd never been to before.  Round Valley State Park in Lebanon, NJ.  This is a place where you can only get to the campsites by foot or canoe, so I figued I wouldn't have alot of company or loud partying assholes to bother me.  I was right.  5 mile hike to the campsite was rough though.  It was worth it though to know I did it.  Anyway, here's a list of things I learned this weekend on my first solo backpacking trip. 1.  5 miles is alot longer than it sounds. 2.  I need to quit smoking. 3.  I pack WAAYYYYY too much crap. 4.  If your pack has the space, you will fill it with something. 5.  Boy Scout Troops make alot of noise. 6.  Some people are total slobs with no respect for anyone or anything.  When I got to my campsite there was trash everywhere including about an case worh of empty beer bottles all over the ground. 7.  I can still start a fire without gasoline. 8.  I can still hang a bear bag. 9.  I can still tie a hitch knot. 10.  Set a tent up at home before trying it in the woods at dusk the first time. 11.  Leave earlier than 2:30 PM in October 12.  Headlamps rock 13.  Thermarests are awesome. 14.  A 15degree down bag is overkill when it's in the 40s 15.  Trekking poles can litterally be a lifesaver 16.  These new fangled butane/propane stoves are light, cook fast and are the bomb. 17.  Blisters suck 18.  Preloading on Avil is a pretty good idea 19.  1 liter of water is not enough for 5 miles. 20.  When eating dehydrated food, there is no need to bring a fork. 21.  You don't really need to boil Ramen noodles. 22.  There's no need to bring a hatchet and a saw when you're going overnight by yourself. 23. BRING something other than your hiking boots to wear in camp. 24.  Feet really smell after hiking 5 miles with a pack wearing boots, cotton socks and wool socks. 25.  I still love Swiss Army Knives 26.  I do not take alot of pictures, there for the digital camera was a waste. 27.  Dehydtrated food tastes outstanding when you are exhausted and hungry. 28.  If I'm going to take the effort to walk all the way out into the woods to camp, atleast stay 2 nights. 29.  Drinking some Jim Beam at night after hiking beside a campfire is a great way to end the evening. 30.  Last but not least I can still time it right on an overnight where I don't have to shit in the woods :-) Hope you enjoyed.