Back at my favorite place and back for another write & hike, just with a different view. I took a couple of different trails today that led me to this little cove. I think I’m going to like this nook; it’s still pretty close to the water and slightly off trail. Doesn’t seem like I will have to deal with a lot of foot traffic. Surprisingly enough, as much as I am out here on the trails, I don’t think I’ve visited this particular spot.

Today was a crazy busy day, which is what led me to take an evening hike. I was running behind after meeting up with a friend for some girl time, which we call “wings and things,” with “things” being conversation. We literally talked and ate wings for three hours. Due to this, I didn’t do my normal bag check. Do you always do bag checks when going out for a quick hike? Even on trails you visit often?

*sidenote: someone came into the cove wearing the strongest cologne or the most horrendous body spray ever in the history of everdom; it has now distracted me and singed my nose hairs, they are burnt to a crisp*

Back to the topic at hand

All of this got me thinking about all that I normally pack to take with me on my hikes, especially the write and hikes. Today it was primarily the basics: my pack, whistle, water, bug spray, dry towel, poncho, first aid, notebook/pen, and so on. However, the more I was looking through my pack, the more I realized I didn’t have packed or needed to buy.

I have been thinking that I may need to do a day pack/ camping shopping haul. There are a few things I need, like a new compass, a clip flashlight, and a portable charger. These things have been on my list, so guess what I did? I went shopping! I picked up most of the new gear online and at my local Sierra store (new favorite store alert). I even bought a new day pack; it’s not a hydro-pack like my older backpack, but there are some definite pros to the new one. I’m sure there are things that I should have purchased and things that I picked up that I didn’t really need.

If anyone has any recommendations on what I should buy for my day pack, drop me some ideas in the comments!