The Great Vacation Escape

My husband and I go camping when we want to break free from the mundane and rituals of a stressed daily existence. We have camped in some remote places-I remember passing a sign once that said, "Primitive Camp - no fires, tents only" and "Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints." I thankfully smiled when he drove past the entrance; I wanted at least an outhouse!

It's made me wonder though - just where do you go when you truly want to get away? Oh, I know some of you choose those all-inclusive vacations where the wine flows like water. Would you ever consider a "Walkabout Wilderness Trip"? If you did, this is what you might be in for.

The web site poses the question:

"Have you have ever wanted to know what it might be like to relate to the Earth without the conveniences of our modern world?" If so, this may be just the wilderness survival course for you!

There have been times in my life where I've gone without those modern conveniences, so would this truly be a vacation for me? Perhaps.

For seven days on the walkabout expedition, you get to explore the environment under the watchful eye of your tour guides who create challenges for you. It's an expansion of your knowledge to connect with the wilds of nature while honing your wilderness skills. They speak of "growing trust that the earth will provide for your needs." Interesting thoughts.

The survival course challenges both mind and body and the website forewarns you that you have to be prepared to endure the challenges, push yourself to the limits and break the boundaries! What do you gain from all of this? They claim that you will learn how to "better flow with natural processes as you rely upon nature for food, water and shelter."

Some of the things that they teach you: building a fire by friction (no matches allowed!), constructing primitive shelters (come on over to my hut!), how to locate food and water by identifying indicator species and following animals (or running from them!)

All in all, the Walkabout Wilderness Expedition claims to provide relaxation and an increase in awareness that the earth can provide for all of your needs. Although, I don't know how "relaxed" this trip would leave you. Just having the stamina to get up and truly "get" breakfast for yourself sounds exhausting. There is no room service here!

There is one warning posted on the site,
"We will cover large distances over uneven ground, and will go without food and with limited water for extended periods of time."

Go without food and water for extended periods? Geez, I'm not so sure this is the trip for me!

Just how much will the Wilderness Walkabout cost for the average explorer: $895 per person.

Maybe this trip is just a bit too "Wild" for me! Room service, anyone?

Source: http://www.wildernessawareness.org/adult/workshops_survival_walkabout.html