The first night we camped on a sandbar. The second night on a peninsula.

I have a spot in the Adirondacks that is a favorite, about 50 miles west of Burlington, Vt. It's off the North Fork of the Bouquet River. There's plenty of places to swim. There's a short window in late July and early August where the mountain run-off is warm enough to go all the way in, and that's when I love to go.

Backcountry camping is my personal sanctuary. It's when I get away from all the demands of life and have a chance to be part of nature. I don't go for aggressive hiking. I find a beautiful place and stay there for a few nights, doing light day trips or just hanging out in solace. Sometimes I take a dog. Sometimes a very close friend. Or alone.

That said, safety is a concern when you are in the back country and especially if you are alone. I always tell someone where I am going and when I am coming out. I give them the name and number of the closest ranger station in case I don't call when I am supposed to emerge from my wilderness quests. I also took Wilderness First Responder a couple of times so I had the basics for first aid together.