Date: 2006-03-04
To: Come On !!!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

As I read more online journals on this site, and see the departure posts on WhiteBlaze.net, I am really getting anxious to start my own hike. Today, I post a picture of the truck I sold to finance my hike. 2004 Toyota Tacoma. I had won it in raffle a little over a year ago, and loved the truck. But I could not ask Gerry or my mother to finance my "whim", so this was my only alternative. Now I will have the money in case of emergency to get back to Florida, gear replacement, travel, a vehicle when I return, and most important, my food supplies. I really feel for and have respect for those that have given up so much more than I to do their hike. It really is a life changing journey from the start, as alot of us will be starting over from scratch once the journey is done.I am currently ready to go, except for one issue. My credit card expired on the first of the month, so I had gone to the bank on the Feb. 27th to have it renewed. Instead of renewing it, the Credit Union had to destroy the old card, and are going to issue me a new one. I expect it to be here in the mail very soon, so I can activate it, buy a bus ticket, make my reservations for a hostel/motel in Gainesville or Dahlonega for the night of the 19th and arrange transportation so I can start my hike by summiting Springer on the 20th. So, thats all that holds me back right now, and it's frustrating having to wait for it. Hopefully, I will be able to get reservations before they all are gone!On a gear note, I have made what some would call an "iffy" choice.I will leave the fleece home, and go with light clothes, layered for warmth. so I have that down to 7 lbs 12oz worn/carried.My food bag has reduced, but not by much. After rechecking milage in the Thru-Hikers Companion, I will carry 5 days food. 10lbs 11oz.My personal "ditty" bag weighs 5 lbs 13oz, but that includes my survival, first aid, maps, camera, batteries, headlamp, and all the items that I cannot wear while hiking (heavy, but I have been thru it 100 times, and cannot leave any of it out lol).Pack with rain cover at 3lbs 10oz. Stove, pot, cup, and back up/fire starting squares at 2lbs 7oz.Sleeping bag and poncho liner 5lbs 1oz. I will not be carrying a sleeping pad, as the liner worked well in the N.Y. cold for insulation.Lastly, filter, collapsable bucket,and 2 water bottles, with one belt carrier at 1lb 12oz.29lbs, 9oz. Hopefully this will not be something to regret in the wee cold hours of night, but I figure I will either be hiking or sleeping warm and cozy in my bag. In case of extreme conditions, such as a blizzard, and I chose remain on the trail, I would probably be the only one there. I learned long ago in the Army to get out of severe weather if there is no need to be in it. I will hike in the rain and snow (I am sure I will be doing that, even as I type this), but you have to know when conditions get too bad to do it in. I have read of 2 hikers this year that had to break because of heavy snow fall and trail closures. Hopefully, by the time I start, the weather will have settled down a bit.Not much else to report, and I am sorry if this is boring. I really am anxious to start now, and have nothing to do but think up posts, check WhiteBlaze.net for last minute news, and play a few games online. I can only re-pack so much before I start wearing holes in my pack, so after one last time or three, I will leave the pack in the hallway and cross my arms to wait it out.Be Safe**EDIT**   Sigh....After packing everything up (to clear the bed so I could catch some zzz's) the scale I've been using has informed me the pack weighs 33lbs 10oz. So, either the scale is off (i'll get new batteries tommorow), or my calculator is lying to me. Either way, I'll be posting weights for my overall soon. I just know there are gram weenies out there that are Loving my posts, but for the rest that are looking for a laugh or a story, I am sorry!