3/15/2004 05:06:00 PM|||Andrew|||One of the things that cheered me up earlier this week was talking to a good friend of mine from high school about the Philippines, longing for home, and the frustration with not being understood by people that live here. While discussing things that I could do while I hang out here in College Station by myself, she suggested that I go backpacking somewhere around Texas. I've always been interested in the outdoors, despite my relative lack of knowledge and experience, so I started to look into it. As it turned out, I decided I'd much rather wait and plan out things well rather than rush along into something I'm unsure of. Maybe in a couple of weeks though, when Our Town is over and I can relax a little more, I'll be able to do something fun along those lines.

The Big Thicket is one place I'm thinking about for the occasion...it's big, there's plenty of land and trails to go through, and you can camp (for free!) in the backwoods if you pick up a permit from the park people. Sounds like just the thing, I think. This is the real deal camping. No cars, no running water or restrooms or anything like that. Just the great outdoors and what you can carry on your back. I'd love to do that for a few days, just to rest and relax in God's nature...to meditate away from the things of man...

Anyway, an idle thought that can't quite be contained. I'll have my chance soon enough.|||107939916587362239|||