Mykle: A Cold Night's Adventure

Posted on September 2, 2023  •  3 minutes  • 521 words

Chasing the Hammock Dreams: A Cold Night’s Adventure

A sudden urge overcame me – the need to escape to nature and slumber beneath the stars in my trusty hammock. These cravings for outdoor solitude strike every now and then, and this time, I had a particular place in mind: a serene lake known as Mykle . My hope was to discover uncharted gravel roads and bask in the thrill of the unknown. I reached out to a friend, hoping he’d join me, but alas, he was engrossed in home renovations. It seemed I’d be embarking on this expedition solo. Which is fine. Most my trips are.

My girlfriend, previously disinterested in camping and wary of the challenges posed by a packed backpack and a lack of off-road tires on her bike, surprised me by deciding to accompany me on this journey. Her willingness to join filled me with joy. As we set out on our adventure, we encountered an unexpected twist - an exorbitant pitstop at a gas station where we were charged a staggering 175kr ($16.50 USD) for two chocolates and some coffee. Oh the twistness. No, but really. What.

Discovering Serenity by the Lake

Our journey to Mykle was relatively uneventful, except for the highway robbery at the gas station. However, our quest for the perfect camping spot led us to an encounter with a local who knew the area like the back of her hand. She graciously recommended a pristine location on a nearby beach. The site proved to be a gem, offering multiple fire pits, breathtaking vistas, several fishing spots, and, most importantly, solitude. We quickly set up camp, with me tending to the fire and my girlfriend setting out on her exploration, indulging in blueberries, scouting for mushrooms, and trying her luck with the fishing spots.

As the day drew to a close, I decided to prepare the canned stew I had brought along since the fish didn’t cooperate. We whiled away the evening playing cards by the flickering flames, sipping on less-than-stellar whiskey, and eventually retiring to our hammocks for the night.

A Chilly Awakening

Little did we know, we had underestimated the biting cold that night. Even though I was sweating in my fancy sleeping bag, my girlfriend endured hours of icy discomfort, her toes growing increasingly frigid as she struggled to find warmth. Eventually, she mustered the courage to wake me from my slumber. With reluctance, we packed up our camp and made the decision to drive back home at 2 a.m. Although the situation was far from ideal – I had experienced my fair share of bone-chilling nights – her unwavering spirit and positive demeanor impressed me to no end. I felt a sense of pride and admiration for her resilience. Driving through the night is a rarity for me, so I embraced the opportunity without complaint.

In the end, what began as a quest for hammock dreams and off-road exploration led us to a night of unexpected challenges and a chilly awakening. Yet, through it all, we discovered the true warmth (heh) of shared experiences and the unbreakable bond of adventure.