Date: 2013-03-10
To: 3 Days & Counting....
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Good evening dear readers,14 resupply boxes packed, financial matters wrapped up, car washed and vacuumed, and various and sundry other little tasks checked off - and 3 days and counting to go! What a week, both the past one and the upcoming one.   My state of my parents' dining room was truly atrocious for a good 5 days with mail drop items scattered all over and a prospective thru hiker pulling out her hair trying to organize obsessively. Eventually order was made out of the chaos, and after a good cleaning tomorrow the room will be pristine and lovely again. I kept telling myself that I'll enjoy all of the dehydrated fruit and other leathers I made, and the addition of freeze dried meats and dehydrated veggies will brighten up and improve my dinners on the trail. Fingers crossed, but I have a much improved understanding why many hikers choose to do the "buy as you go" route entirely. I only prepped food for about half of the first half of the trail (~500 miles worth), see my updated "Mail Drops" list, and believe me, that was enough. We'll see how motivated I am when I return home to Ohio in early June for the second half of the trail - may be minimal with only necessary asthma meds and maps making the cut. I am glad, however, that I had so many tasks to do this past week - while somewhat anxiety provoking, they kept me busy. Still, I was rather lonely with everyone else industriously working, I don't think a work from home venture is in the cards for me in the future if this past week is anything to go by. I somewhat wish I had taken a bit more time between finishing work and starting the trail, just to rest and relax a bit, but soon I'll have not much else to do but walk all day.   Sounds amazing, doesn't it?! Nervous excitement is the best way to describe my mood right now - I can't believe I'll be sleeping at the Hiker Hostel in just 48 hours! I kept having "last" thoughts all week - this is the last time I'll do laundry at home and a full load, the last time I'll cook dinner, the last time I'll shave for months.....sorry, TMI.    Family & friends have continued to reach out to me with good wishes, prayers, and offers of assistance while I'm on the trail. So very touching, thank you all for supporting me while I pursue my dream. If you send me a letter (I love pics!) or a package (*wink, wink* a small amount of baked goods or candy would always be appreciated!) at one of my mail drop locations, please do include your address and/or email just in case I don't have it - I've got my postcard stamps all lined up.   A special shout out to the other ladies with "Wild & White Blazing", the telecourse group that Carla (Zipper, AT 2009) with Living Wild and Precious put together last autumn - it's been a blast, and I can't wait to meet some of you on the trail! Word of the Week: Aghast - horrified, very surprisedThe elderly couple walking their dog was aghast upon seeing me in my full gear - pack, trekking poles, and microspikes - and asked "Just how bad IS the trail up there?!". I feel I should point out that they passed me on a very well maintained trail just before a short climb up a hill, which in no way, shape, or form was icy or even overly muddy despite the drastic range in temps we've had here in Ohio this week (from teens last weekend to 60s today!).