I know what you’re thinking. “What does getting a new bed have to do with a program about the outdoors?” And if you’re still sleeping on a worn-out old mattress, like I was until a few days ago, I get that you don’t see the connection.
But after waking up on the new mattress three mornings in a row, I’m more rested, rejuvenated, and ready to go. So yes, it does have to do with the outdoors.
On the tired old mattress, I didn’t get the sleep I needed to be refreshed for an all-day hike. I wasn’t recharged enough to want to hop out of bed and get out into the field long before the sun was up. About the only thing I can say for that old mattress was that it made me actually look forward to sleeping on the ground, because the ground was better.
It occurred to me a few months ago that I wouldn’t put up with a gun that abuses me. I try to adjust the fit, and if that doesn’t work, I get rid of it and try a different one. It’s the same thing with a bed. You need one that fits you, feels right, and doesn’t beat you up. It’s how you keep your energy up for all your adventures.
Let me put this in perspective. We bought that old mattress before my oldest son was born. And he’s well past the legal drinking age now. It was a pretty expensive mattress at the time, so we wanted to get our money’s worth out of it. We also didn’t look forward to having to sell another kidney to buy a new one.
But here’s the thing. You don’t need a fancy bed. You don’t need one that hears you snore and automatically raises your head. That’s what your spouse is for, if your spouse is like mine. All you need is a poke in the ribs. We bought a very good but conventional mattress. It wasn’t exactly cheap, but we didn’t have to take out a second mortgage to get it bought. And it’s wonderful.
