Date: 2003-11-04
To: Some more foods and Jill's perspective
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, so round two of the "trail food trial" (quite the tongue twister). David and I have started a sort of game where each of us finds some interesting foods at the grocery store (that could be applicable on the trail) and then we send it to the other one. So, if you read the previous entry you saw what I sent to him and now you'll see what he sent to me. I'm sure that the more experienced hikers have already tried many of these foods but listing them out like this will also help Dave and I when we decide what to bring/buy/have sent to us.       Carnation Instant Breakfast (nutritional energy drink):         Dave sent me the "Rich Milk Chocolate" version. My brother used to drink these things every morning in high school. I tried them out and found that once mixed in (you have to mix for a long time to not have chunks of mix) that it tastes like thick chocolate milk - not all that bad. I used Vanill Soy Milk to mix it with and used two cups rather than the one that the directions called for. Dave has suggested I try a packet with water....I'm skeptical but I'll give it the ole one two... Updates on that later.         Swiss Miss Chocolate Peppermint Twist: Basically an overpriced thicker version of hot cocoa but this stuff tastes GREAT! You can definitely use half a packet at a time and still be satisfied with the thickness of your cocoa - these would make for great treats at the end of a long tiring hike, or a good wake you up for breakfast. The smell is intoxicating       Idahoan Four Cheese Instant Mashed Potatoes: These can be prepared really quickly - two cups of boiling water, add the packet of 'taters and you've got mashed potatoes for two. The cheesey flavor is good - not too fake or overpowering. I'm a real mashed potatoes fan so I will definitely vote for these to come on the trail. They also come in other flavors - yum.       Barilla tortellini:   This requires a lot of water to boil (it says 2-3 quarts!) But you don't really need _that_ much. You just need to make sure that each piece gets thoroughly cooked. I like these, they are really filling - I split the package into roughly fourths to not overstuff myself -but you can always cook more if you're still hungry. I like the ricotta and spinach flavor as well as the four cheese variety. So that's my most recent food for thought on the possible trail foods - oooh horrible pun I know... I also thought I would add my personal take on the trail, especially since I am the non-backpacker of the pair. First of all, I've always been an outdoorsy kid and that's continued into my semi-adult life. I'm an environmental science major and my favorite classes are the ones that take me outside into the mud and muck and make me learn things hands on. I love the idea that you walk into an area and once you start to look you realize that the life that is present is overwhelming. I don't know anyone who, once they get quiet and stop worrying (about bugs, snakes etc), doesn't feel the woods so to say.    I am currently a senior in college and cannot wait to be finished. Many people tell me that I will miss Notre Dame when I'm gone but I have to say that I think I will miss my people here rather than the actual place. After going through a lot here I know that this was not the best place for me to go to school. I would have done a lot better at a larger school with more courses offered per semester and one that's not so religious or conformist. I now am simply attending in order to graduate. That is the means to my end - if it weren't for the fact that in May they'll let me out of here for good I wouldn't be here now. Perhaps you can see that I am quite burnt out on school. I am so burnt out now that I can't even imagine applying to go to grad school. I still think it might happen some day but not any time soon. Hiking the trail will be my chance to destress completely, to re-evaluate what I have learned, and to figure out where the next steps of my journey will take me. I'm excited - I can't wait.