Backcountry antics and lessons in campfire cooking

Last Christmas, Taylor gave me a spiffy backpacking pack, and the poor thing has been overlooked all summer mostly due to weddings.

That pack has been calling my name, so we finally carved out some time last weekend and headed north to meet my bestie Emily and her husband Greg for my first backpacking adventure.

We divided the meal duties with the Lagreids, and I learned Lesson 1 about backpacking: There's no refrigeration like when you're camping, thus visions of three course dinners and full-blown breakfasts got the kibosh from Taylor.

While the boys were busy e-mailing back and forth about the hike, where we could and would camp, and most importantly fishing, Em and I focused on more important things like who would bring the white box wine and who would bring the red. Although both our other halves suggested we were foolish for packing in two boxes of wine, I think they were more than thrilled to partake in our happy hours and campfire cocktails.

We met in the town of Packard, Washington, at a grocery store. Em and Greg hopped in our ride, and we proceeded through White Pass and up to the Pacific Crest Trail where we hiked in just as they daylight decided to disappear. We landed at Deer Lake, and (guided by headlamps) found a pristine campsite. This sucker had a fire pit as well as carved logs for sitting and a great shelf fastened to a tree (which fit our boxes of wine perfectly).

Em and Greg whipped up spaghetti and roasted garlic bread for dinner, and Greg serenaded us with several guitar solos. He packed in his binder full of songs, and on the second night, I dabbled in a few duets with the guy. Taylor loved to tell me how the entire forest could hear my screeching.

We escaped the rain that first evening, but overnight and the entire second day and night we encountered nonstop rain. Taylor and Greg hung tarps to keep our site dry, and we had to keep moving our tents to avoid massive puddles. We picked the worst weekend to camp, but it didn't matter. We had a blast.

Saturday morning, the guys caught some trout, and we grilled it up for lunch. Em and I caught up on everyone and everything, and she took her traditional catnap while I kept the fire roaring for the fishermen. Taylor cooked up some jambalaya for dinner, and then we feasted on s'mores. Actually, I think I was the only one stuffing my face with melted mallows that night. Plenty of wine and several songs later, we hit the hay to attempt some rest before our hike out in the morning.

In true Kate fashion, I forgot to charge my rickety camera, so all I have are some snaps from the very beginning of the trip. Emily has some additional footage, including pics of our total score of a campsite, which I'll post later.

Emily and Greg are such a fantastic couple, and we loved how effortless it was to coordinate this last-minute trip. After dropping off the duo, Taylor and I made a list of must-haves for our next outing, and we're already planning for this yet-to-be-determined trip. We're thinking a winter snowshoeing getaway.

I must mention the Lagreids will be celebrating their first anniversary on October 2. I can't believe it was a year ago already. Here's to many more adventures and good times!

In desperate need of a fishing license, I made Taylor choose the IGA over Thriftway because it reminded me of Dismores in Pullman, and after all, we were meeting up with my favorite Coug couple.

Taylor and I enjoyed the scenery on the way up Highway 12.

I couldn't get my camera out quick enough to take a better snap of this little cafe in the middle of nowhere called the Huff 'N Puff. We must eat there next time. I bet they have chicken fried steak and other diner delights.

God's country.

Fittingly, we scooped up Em and Greg at Blanton's Market, another proud IGA.

The shenanigans begin!

Nice shot of Greg getting Em's pack all set.

We would have matching packs. Em asked me if I'd named my Cougar-color edition yet, and since I hadn't she blessed it with the name "Butch," the WSU mascot's name.

Greg gets Em set. Can't believe I haven't mentioned Emily's Skhoop yet. It's a snow skirt hailing from Alaska. She said women there wear them when they're cross country skiing or being active in the outdoors. It keeps you warm, yet ventilated. It's on my must-have list for next time. Such a fashionista, even in the great outdoors.

Couples' shots!

The Lagreids.

The final shot before the camera died...bummer it's blurry.