Type 2 Fun

An introduction to scenic spots where I've (almost) cried

Social media gives hiking a good reputation. Smiles at scenic overlooks, morning coffee next to glassy lakes, mossy rocks under lush canopies. Less often does it show the tears caused by wading through endless mud or the bent tent stake that won’t go into hard-packed ground.

The light at the end of the tunnel on the Correction Line trail in the Porkies, after slogging through miles of mud

I’m absolutely guilty of putting on the post-hike rose-colored glasses. Things feel less dire once you’ve changed into dry clothes and are enjoying a cheeseburger and flush toilets (hopefully, not at the same time)! By the time I share my photos and write the Instagram captions, the difficult memories have been reframed into funny anecdotes about overcoming adversity—or just omitted from the story altogether. Feels terrible when you’re in the midst of it, but you look back on it fondly? That’s Type 2 fun!

Raindrops falling on Europe Lake at Newport State Park, a few hours before my tent almost flooded because I set up in a lowest spot of the campsite

Every hiker has stories of discomfort on trail and I think it’s useful to share them. Let’s talk about the times we turned around on a hike before reaching our destination or accidentally packed an empty fuel canister or dropped our shoes in a river because we were too impatient to tie them to our backpack. Let’s normalize having an occasional cry on trail, but still yearning to get out there again!

Since I have more examples of (near) tears on trail than can be condensed into a single post, this is the start of a series. I hope you’ll learn from my missteps, because I definitely did! While these moments were low points when I was going through them, I came out of every single one feeling more competent, more empowered, and more prepared for future adventures.

I can accomplish hard things and I have the blooper reel to prove it!

Night three of rain at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore