Date: 2008-03-03
To: Local Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the days seem to be speeding up as I do my best to be ready to step onto that AMTRAK on 25 March...I'm truly not worried about the trip nor the shuttle, nor my first days on the Trail. I've been there and have done that. Although the Trail presents a lot of hard work and variable weather, it also gives me a chance to feel good about myself as I meet each challenge.For those who haven't experienced their first day at altitude in early Spring in the mountains of Northern Georgia, have somebody turn on the largest fan they can find, blow the wind over a large bag of ice, and then dump a five gallon bucket of ice water over you as you pull-on your rainsuit... Then follow this by dressing for the weather you feel at the moment and then hop onto the treadmill at the highest tilt possible while wearing 35 pounds on your back, and then see how long you can keep this up without a break to 'shed layers...' *laughing to myself*My real worry is that the ever-present Real World will draw me back into it long before I'd like it to... Wife remodeling the bathrooms; Son Number One's back surgery (actual surgery before my departure, but a long recovery period); the daily care for Kathmandu, the ferel cat who lives in our garage (he never had 'people' before and has only bonded with me -- he hisses and runs away from everybody else, including my Wife, who'll have to feed him while I'm gone); and the list goes on...Every long distance trekker has their own version of this and must either cover each requirement as best he/she can, or simply throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. I've truly never been one who could throw caution to the wind.We have a warm sunny day in Virginia today. It's just right to seal the new seams I sewed into my MSR Twin Peaks when I finally figured out how to fit it with a convenient no-see-um inner door (this isn't my first modification of this great little shelter either). It's true that the Black Diamond Beta Bug will fit as an 'inner screened tent,' but it adds almost 2 pounds (and an all-around screen with a floor and a zippered inner door, of course). However, it's really overkill for the long-distance trekker.Having faced Lyme Disease before, I'm just not willing to spend my time in the woods as a meal for the various creatures that want to feast on my body fluids. I'd also prefer not to wear DEET, but it's the only thing that really works so I do my best to limit my exposure to this substance, that only works if it hits your bloodstream and then works its way out your pores. My only other option as I venture into 'their' territory is to place barriers between us -- especially at night.I guess what it all boils down to is this: the Older Conservative Crowd does its best to prevent problems and issues on the Trail. From what I've experienced so far, the Younger Inexperienced Crowd (sub-consciously believing they're bullet-proof anyway) simply hopes for the best and then tends to live with what follows. I'd personally prefer to live my last years in the best shape in with the highest possible quality of life.OK, I'm rambling... Time to open the McNett's Seam Grip and to suck-in some of those pre-trip fumes... More to follow.