Cheating

I've been struggling with the idea that I'm totally cheating on this ride. I'm staying in hotels, which would be normal if I were a wealthy middle-aged man. But, I thought this was "supposed" to be about new experiences, and I already know I like beds with minty pillows.

Part of me wants to make up for the first of two camping trips I've taken in my life. I was a Webelos on his first father/son overnight. We made it through dinner and campfire stories. At bedtime, I saw a spider in our tent, went bug-eyed, and woke up an hour and a half later in my bed at home. I felt both horrible and clever accepting the merit badge for that trip.

I've already bought tons of nice camping gear and now really wish I had accepted any of the numerous offers I had to camp with Someone both knowledgeable and lovely over the last year and a half. Stupidly, I just couldn't shake the image of the spider on the wall next to my bag. Why I didn't say to myself, "Eric, you're not 10 anymore" is beyond me. Alas, older and wiser. And sleeping comfortably in random lodges, knowing I won't wake up wearing a wig, being spooned by a man with no shoes or teeth.

New "problem." Now my dad wants to join me for the first week, as a support vehicle, essentially. He won't follow me in the Team Encarnacion rented station wagon everywhere, but he'll be around if my rear derailleur explodes in the wilderness. Or if I "need" a ham sandwich and a new water bottle. And there, I suddenly feel even less independent and self-sufficient, still a spoiled 25 year-old "kid," probably still using a sippy cup.

OR is this really just a great opportunity to bond with my dad? He gets to see the Pacific Northwest, I get ham sandwiches and conversation. I sure hope it doesn't effect my "productivity." I think I know it won't, that it really is only a good thing; after all, I'll still be alone for the last 3 weeks of the trip, save for when I end up stealing Gollum.

So I'm not really cheating now, am I? This is just an opportunity to share adventure, making it greater, right? Play with the poll on the right. I need confirmation! But be honest! Polling ends on 9/11.