#throwback – May 4, 2024

I sleep incredibly well on my first night in the tent, but still, I spend much of the day taking it easy. The exhaustion of the past few months is definitely catching up with me. It’s cold in the morning, but with the right gear, that doesn’t really matter. It’s pure bliss to brew a cup of coffee while still snuggled in my warm sleeping bag, feeling the fresh air on my face.

I’m still figuring out the best way to pack my hiking cart, the Wheelie. It feels a bit cumbersome for now, but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it soon enough. I continue along the stunning coastline. The day starts out sunny, but by early afternoon a sharp wind picks up and the weather shifts completely. It turns misty and raw. Later in the day, as the trail heads inland, things clear up again. I find a beautiful camping spot by a lake full of fish. A man walking by with his dog tells me that’s a sure sign the water is clean. That’s good news, because I plan to make my coffee with it tomorrow.

There’s a bench where I can sit and prepare dinner. I experiment with some instant pasta in a cup, adding fresh vegetables, and it tastes surprisingly good. Why is it that food always tastes better out in nature—even when it’s nothing special?

I pitch my tent in the forest, tucked away where no one can see me. Somehow I still have that feeling in the back of my mind that wild camping isn’t allowed, that I should stay out of sight. But this isn’t the Netherlands—this is Sweden. It’ll take some getting used to. I’m sure it won’t be long before I start pitching my little tent wherever I like, without a second thought.