My first solo overnighter

This weekend I went down to the Wichita Mountains to do my very first solo overnighter. It's something I've been wanting today do FOREVER but haven't had the courage to actually do. Silly, maybe, but the thought of camping outside all alone scares the bejeebers out of me.
I mean, there are wild animals stopping all willy nilly throughout the campground in the refuge. Bison, longhorn steer, deer, elk, squirrels...all readying to stomp me in my little tent the middle of the night.
But if I'm being totally honest, the animals don't scare me nearly as much as the human creatures. I'm definitely more afraid of crazed, murderous, or ill intentioned men than I ever am of animals out for a midnight snack.
I left work right after the kids skeedaddled  and headed down. I wanted to get there and get set up before the sun set. Being winter, night comes sooner than I'd like. I wish I could have winter temps and summer sunlight hours. But that's for another time to discuss.
I arrived with about 30 minutes before the sun went to bed and quickly packed up my things and walked the short path to the primitive campsites.  I found a nice little secluded spot off to the side and began erecting my home for the night. Despite the cold temps there were 3 other groups out there, which surprised me. One creepy solo dude down the hill, one site with 2 couples, and another site with some hammock campers.

Sunset from my spot

I climbed into my tent and settled down. It was REALLY cold (in the low 20's) and in preparation I'd brought 2 down quilts and another blanket to keep me warm.

It didn't work.

I tossed and turned all night long. At one point I broke open the Hot Hands I'd brought along for an emergency...which my body told me this was. They helped a lot. The wind was howling so much I had to use my backpack and anything I could to keep the wind from whipping under the rainfly and freezing me out. A few times I woke up and heard coyotes yipping and yapping nearby. They were SO close and it was absolutely spectacular. I smiled listening to their howls and fell back asleep.
When morning arrived I got out and started making breakfast. I heated up some cream of wheat and hot tea. It was crisp but I was toasty.

Morning breakfast

My campsite in the morning

After breakfast I hastily packed up and headed out to do some short hikes. It was so cold I couldn't really take much hiking, so I went to Burford Lake and did the short
.8 mile hike to the top of the dam and back.

Burford Lake

I jumped back in the car and headed home. Hated to call it a day so soon, but my little toes and nubs were freezing and I could head back happily satisfied that I had gone down and camped out all by myself.

I'm definitely doing it again...but maybe next time when it's above freezing. 🤣


Carry on!