The Best Things in Life are.....

The old saying goes that the best things in life are free. I suppose this point is debatable, but I tend to agree. There is a certain sweetness that comes with getting stuff or doing things without having to pay for them. This is evidenced in long lines for free stuff, people willing to go to extreme lengths for a gift certificate (for instance the nastiest kiss contest at the 9:00 bingo), or elaborate methods to sneak into events without having to pay. We seem to be wired to enjoy something for nothing.
Nothing helps me to enjoy free things more than a rapid dwindling of my bank account as the semester begins. First it’s a few thousand dollars to attend classes at this fine land grant University, then a few hundred dollars to buy the book so I don't fail said classes, then a few dollars to buy some chocolate milk to sulk when I do.

I suppose this was the initial inspiration for the pack trip from Tony's Grove lake, up and over Mt. Naomi, and down to High Creek. In these, the dwindling days of summer, the last few weeks of warm weather before the evil tyranny of old man winter once again gains his throttle hold upon Cache Valley, the hills beckoned to me and my three friends. They seemed to promise untold adventures, beautiful scenery, and the attractive price tag of zero dollars. What could top that?
The plans were set, the gear was assembled, and the rides were arranged. Since we weren't going to spend anything else, I justified buying a new headlamp and some dehydrated meals (I couldn't say no to the blueberry cheesecake). Six o'clock Friday afternoon found us in the car headed up Logan Canyon towards Tony's Grove. The windows were down, the weather was warm, and the traffic was horrible. Once we finally turned off of 89 towards Tony's Grove, I put the pedal to the floor, trying to make up for lost time. Maybe it cost a few extra dollars in gas, but the rest of the trip was cheap so I didn't stress.
Arriving at the lake, we quickly piled out of the car, shouldered our packs, and set off down the trail. The sun was sinking low in the sky and we set off at a quick pace to reach the peak before we lost the light. As we climbed upwards, the soft light of the setting sun illuminated the landscape. We were alone in a world of limestone, rocks, and dirt warmed in the last few moments of the day. As we hiked over ridges, scrambled up steep sections of the trail, and moved through groves of pine trees, my worries about school and money evaporated from my consciousness. Nothing to worry about here but moving up the trail.
We reached the peak just in time to watch the sun set over Cache Valley. We soaked up the view, and enjoyed some Sweet and Salty Bars we had bought just for this occasion. From the top of Naomi, one can see from Preston to Providence. Dusk settled over the valley before continuing down the trail on the other side of Mount Naomi. We followed the steep trail down for another two miles where we set up camp on a ridge above High Creek Lake.

Water was soon boiling on the stove. The food was rehydrated, masticated, swallowed, and enjoyed by all. We lit a fire and passed around the bag of freeze dried cheesecake savoring each mouthful. Stars filled the sky, and the night was the epitome of calm. I settled into my hammock and let the events of the day run through my head. Here I was, free in the wilderness, on my free backpacking trip.
As I thought about it, I guess I couldn't really say it was free. I had bought the headlamp, moleskin to cover the blisters on my feet, granola bars, food, and gas to haul our butts up to the trailhead. I guess this “free” pack trip had also wreaked its havoc on my bank account. I had to admit though, it was worth every cent. Thinking about the cheesecake we had just eaten, a smile creased my face. As I thought about it, I decided that maybe, just maybe, the best things in life are freeze dried.