Forbush Flat: My First Backpacking Adventure

Mom was out of town, so Dad asked me if I wanted to go backpacking with him and sleep in a tent. He even gave me other choices, but I knew what I wanted: backpacking!

At REI, Dad got me my very own backpack with a sternum strap, and for my birthday I had a new headlamp. I packed important things: my stuffed animals, a deck of cards, and a book. Dad somehow squished everything else into his pack.

We started late, and it was warm. The trail went downhill at first, and there were flies buzzing, but Dad had wipes that helped. Then we saw plants that looked scary. Dad said it was poison oak. I didn’t want to hike there anymore, but he promised we’d be careful. Later, we learned it wasn’t poison oak, but I was still nervous.

The trail felt long, and I got tired. Dad carried my pack for me, which helped. Finally, we reached camp and it even had a picnic table! I was excited when I saw the fire ring. After dinner, I gathered sticks while Dad set up the tent.

We went exploring, and Dad told me there might be fossils nearby. At first we didn’t see any, but then we found them everywhere in the rocks! I kept saying “five more minutes” because I didn’t want to stop.

When it got dark, we used our headlamps and built a campfire. Dad showed me fire safety rules, and we burned twigs until the flames made the night feel cozy.

I fell asleep in the tent next to Dad, my stuffed animals tucked in beside me. I was tired, but happy. Backpacking really was the best choice.