Ian & Jocelyn Barker

Over the weekend, my friend, Brandon, and I took a short little backpacking trip to the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. The first time I went backpacking was three years ago when Brandon and another friend, Wes, took me to Colorado just before I got married. Since then, we have been back to Colorado two other times. Unfortunately, each time I have gone I have been sick with altitude sickness. Though I love the views and the adventure of Colorado, I don’t think my body can take it. So the rolling hills of Missouri are a good alternative.

We left KC early Saturday morning and hit the trail around 11am. Though we thought the weather at this time of year might be a little chilly, it was blue skies and about 70 degrees. All the leaves had fallen from the trees onto our path making our steps loud and crunchy. We hiked a couple hours in, getting lost a few times because we couldn’t find the path, and set up camp for the night under some cedars on a few patches of dried up grass.

Brandon is much more of an outdoorsman than myself so he’s a good man to go camping with. My interest has been piqued over the last few years and I have found that I really enjoy it. There is nothing like setting up camp in the middle of a forest with only that which you have packed in our your back. The quiet and solitude is like nothing you can find in the busy city. Hanging out with your best friend around a fire and a cup of coffee is something special.

We woke up in the morning a little cold and groggy, but Brandon made a fire and some pancakes while I packed up the tent. After a slow morning of breakfast and coffee, we packed up and found the trail we had lost the day before. A couple hours later we were back at the car, and four hours after that we were back to our wives.

It was refresing to be able to have a short get away of adventure and nature. I find that it is good for my heart and mind to remove myself from the busyness and rapidity of life to enjoy God’s creation and reflect on His goodness. I definitely look forward to doing it more in the future.

(Pictures to come…)