When I'm in the woods, I don't feel like nature and I are separate so much as we are one and the same. So I go hiking and camping all over the place and I enjoy it all - the Olympic National Forest, Tierra del Fuego, Brazilian rainforests, whatever. I let out a big sigh and feel relaxed and at peace.

Last September I camped and hiked around Tuolomne Meadows in Yosemite. It was beautiful. The elevation is high and, despite having gone during Labor Day weekend, it wasn't crowded. I went exploring through the woods and hardly ran into anyone. I felt isolated in the wild Sierras and it was the best.

This summer I intend to strap a canoe to the top of Jabber's sick ride, go back up to Yosemite and paddle around one of the many lakes. I also intend to camp in the backcountry and/or hike up to the high camps at around 11,000 feet in elevation. I intend to bring a flashlight, firewood and soap with me this time around.