i used to be a treeplanter few years ago in summer of 1st n 2nd year of undergrad. basically lived in my own tent in a small camp hundreds of miles from anycivilization for 2 1/2months at a time. one of the toughest jobs you'll ever do walking 20-25km/day with a loaded sack full of buds (its what we called thelittle trees) shovel in one hand and water. lunch was the same everyday stale pb&j sandwiches. it got me SO hooked into camping/hiking and just love takinga break from everyday life and getting far away to places where time goes by slower and you're just in awe of whats around you. when you live for so longin such primitive conditions you realize you dont really need the creature comforts of everyday life. you dont need tv for entertainment, you dont need videogames to pass time, you dont need to always drink to have a good time with people and so on. gimme a weekend with 2-3 good friends, a tent, expedition pack, mycameras n lenses and a beater bike over a weekend at a commercial beach and upscale restaurants. its not a very expensive hobby either. a cheap tent can be hadfor less than $50, you dont need a proper pack you can just use what you have ( a duffel + regular backpack), a cheap multi-tool runs $15-20, pair of hikingboots should be the one good investment dont cheap out here, then just whatever beater sweaters n jeans you got. you'll enjoy urself in pristineenvironment without the need for hotel rooms, expensive meals, expensive tourist attractions etc.
