July 4 is just like any other holiday for me. A valid reason to not open up the work email, eat exorbitant amounts of themed food, and an excuse to leave town. I don't have any more attachment to this holiday than I do to any other holiday, but this one feels extra bleak this year. You know what I'm talking about.
We went off the grid for a couple days. And it felt like freedom.
We went off the grid for a couple days. And it felt like freedom.
I had a lot of thoughts about that. Acknowledging a lot of conflicting feelings about camping in the mountains of Washington, enshrouded in fog, surrounded by blooming wildflowers and Sound of Music-esque landscapes, hiking through already beaten trails (on stolen land probably), spit on by rain, the muddy ground too damp to start a fire on, distanced from civil unrest, still healthy enough to sleep restlessly and shivering during a pandemic, breathing in crisp mountain air with a small band of good friends made in adulthood.
In this so-called land of the free, not everyone can be this free.
In this so-called land of the free, not everyone can be this free.
I was (and still am) obsessed with Taste the Nation for the week prior to our backpacking trip. And amongst the many themes in this show is the concept of scarcity and making do with what you have. Preparing and eating familiar food with unfamiliar ingredients. David introduced me to this army stew awhile back, and on our second and final night of camping, we channeled that spirit to make probably the best rendition of instant ramen I've ever had.
Shin ramyun - make sure to not cook the full packet of veggies like I did by accident.
Pouch of salmon (leftover from previous night's dinner).
Slices of pepperjack cheese (leftover from lunch wraps).
Handful of goldfish (leftover from hiking snacks, not pictured).
pc. Joyce
This will be a recurring and evolving thing in my life. And a staple of all future camp meals.
The consistent drizzle and cold nights had us all craving hot pot as our first meal back in civilization. But hot pot restaurants were not open. So we ended up at Kevin's pho place - Pho Tai.
But to simulate a bowl of spicy hot pot, I got bun bo hue with a side of tendons (which was honestly so good in its soup that I would consider just getting a side of tendon on its own) and marveled at the fact that I've never tried this dish before.
The consistent drizzle and cold nights had us all craving hot pot as our first meal back in civilization. But hot pot restaurants were not open. So we ended up at Kevin's pho place - Pho Tai.
But to simulate a bowl of spicy hot pot, I got bun bo hue with a side of tendons (which was honestly so good in its soup that I would consider just getting a side of tendon on its own) and marveled at the fact that I've never tried this dish before.
There's even a halo of light streaming over the bowl.
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