Date: 2007-02-23
To: Food drops
Miles today: 0.0

You really should see my kitchen right now...bulk packages of dehydrated food, rice, pasta, fruit, granola, soups...WOW! I am breaking them apart, placing them in portions in ziplock bags along with seasonings so all I have to do is add water and eat...easy, no clean up, just eat out of the ziplock and toss. There are positives and negatives to this style, and I still haven't decided which is better. The Postives: Cheaper, less packaging, easier, less sodium, knowing they aren't "out of something I like" in the resupply stores, and I know I am getting proper macronutrient intake. The Negatives: I will have to carry more when I pick up my mail drop, the cost of mailing it, the posssibility of missing a mail drop, and getting tired of the same types of food. Until I get out there...how will I know?   I am going to try this method for the first 2 months (March and April) then in May I will try getting items from trail towns. I have the luxury of coming home at the end of May for Rachel's graduation, so if I like the mail drops, I can continue with those and get them ready for the second leg of my journey when I finish up in Maine. Also, I will have a better idea of my hiking style and speed, so I can adjust my food accordingly.   This isn't exactly how I wanted this hike to be...planned out. I LOVE spontaneity, but I also know I need to eat properly, as it may be a potential reason that I would have to leave the trail (God forbid!)I have decided that, if I do condsider leaving the trail, due to injuries, lack of interest, illness, or whatever, I will NOT make a spontaneous decision in that regard. I will wait 4 days (unless injury is severe) and then decide. I promise that to myself.   I have a camera that I found on E-bay...wow what a great sight (Thanks Ger for your tips). Good thing I am heading out on the trail...I could see myself doing some financial damage on that sight. I am going to spend the rest of my time practicing with it before heading out...so forgive the bad photo posted of me,it was taken on my prctice hike in July 2006. My kids laugh at it, and I know its not the best shot of me, but I am not photogenic anyway. But, the shots I will be taking of the vistas and sunsets and all the beauty I see on the way are mainly what I am interested in. Everyone I speak to said the main thing they cherish most from the trip...besides the people they have met and how they have changed, are the photographs and their journals. Sounds like good advice to me.   I am getting really excited as the time draws nearer. It sounds like that is normal. I have every confidence my family is prepared while I am gone, and I really really appreciate their support and love. And also, the support I am getting from friends as well. Thanks everyone for signing my guest book. Thanks so much for your encouragement and love as well. I am truly grateful. I feel like I am taking you along on this trip, and I hope you can see all of the beauty of nature thru my hike.    I also want to give thanks to Magnet 2004 AT who graciously is making me a Bod-i-bag to keep me warm. I will be posting it on my gear page when I receive it. It looks awesome,its made from fleece and you wear it like a hoody, but it is long so you can use it as a sleeping bag liner (keeps the bag clean and you warm). Also, if nature calls in the middle of the night, you can go without getting cold, and it serves to keep you warm around base camp as well, if you want to shorten it, just cinch it around your waist. I can't wait to try it out...I love multifunctional items! If anyone is interested in this, check out his site at: www.bodibag.com    Well, I guess that is it for now. 13 days until we drive down to Georgia. I am chompin at the bit to get on the trail. Its funny, as I get ready I am looking at things around here differently and with appreciation. Running water, heated house, soft warm bed, food, toilets, showers with hot water, blowdryers, cars. Its amazing how much we take these everyday things for granted. I'm sure when I get "out there" I will appreciate them even more!