Microcamping: Rainy Hobo Breakfast
What if you could carve out beautiful, serene outdoor time —complete with a camp-style breakfast cooked outside— literally on your way to work?
Wednesday morning woke up misty, but I’d already decided on the workday morning adventure the night before. In my bag was a tightly rolled up hammock tarp in case the skies really opened up. I strapped panniers to my bike, filled with everything needed for a day of work, but also compact cooking gear, pre-chopped breakfast fixings, small iron skillet, black tea and milk. I kept everything from ratting with folded cotton tablecloth I always bring for these occasions, and tucked a compact folding chair into the second pannier.
I headed out on the North Branch Trail from my home near Harms Woods about 2.5 hours before I’d have to be at work. My usual bike commute from this point is a little over an hour. I didn’t really have a spot picked out for my outdoor breakfast, but I wanted to explore some of the meandering dirt side trails between Beckwith and Dempster. It had been a pretty dry spring overall, and the light morning rain wasn’t enough to turn the trails muddy. After trying a few turns on the unmarked trails, I came upon the perfect spot on a low bluff overlooking the river, with a light-speckled clearing and a number of widely spaced, stately trees. The dense foliage offered me some protection from the drizzle as I unfolded my hammock tarp and stretched it between the trees to create a more robust shelter.
There was magic in the sound of the rain drumming on a tautly stretched cloth as I ducked under, comfortable in my portable seat, while the hot flame from a tiny backpacking stove quickly cooked up my outdoor meal and bracing morning beverage. There is something in us humans that relishes both the beauty of nature, and our ability to shelter and protect ourselves from its force. It was truly the most amazing, renewing hour I spent surrounded by warm late spring rain, and safely protected from it, enjoying my hearty meal washed down with strong tea, while watching the mad dance of the rain drops on the swirling river current.
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Update Sept. 2021. Since discovering this spot quite by accident, I’ve learned that is part of Linne Woods along Chicago River’s North Branch corridor. It may be seriously the loveliest spot on the trail. Situated along the section of the North Branch between Dempster and Beckwith is a small network of equestrian and foot trails accessible from both sides of the river. Linne Woods is in the bottom third of this map, and my favorite bluff hangout is along the yellow trail on the east side of the river. You’re welcome.