Lentil Soup

I learn something new every day.

So, the other day I was out and about snowshoeing with some friends. It was a cold and windy day, and we were traveling at a good clip.

Eventually, it was time for lunch, and I was cold and hungry and thirsty.

I had my usual lunch for such trips: a PB&J sandwich. It was a challenge to wolf down my sandwich in these conditions: my hands were cold, I needed to drink water, it was windy, I didn't have a lot of time, etc. The conditions were so challenging that I had to focus all of my efforts on just eating my sandwich and drinking water.

While I was struggling with my sandwich, I watched one of my fellow travelers pull a thermos out of his backpack. Then he unscrewed the top, and I saw steam come out of the top. Now he put the thermos to his mouth and poured. After a big gulp he told the rest of the people in the group that he was eating wonderful lentil soup.

I have to tell you, at this point in time, I was pretty envious. My sandwich was nice and all, but given the conditions, hot soup would have been much better. This gentleman had come up with a perfect meal for the conditions: his meal was hot, it came in a package that he could open even with heavy mittens on, he didn't have to pause to drink water along with his meal, etc. He didn't need a spoon either.

I learned something on this trip. The next time I go on a hike, especially a cold winter hike, I am going to seriously think about bringing along a thermos of soup. I like PB&J sandwiches and all, but clearly on some days hot soup would be better.