Date: 2007-01-02
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0

Here we go! The preparation for the journey has begun. It's a new year and the start date (February 28, 2007) is near. I've been busy readying the gear, I've sent the tent back for a minor repair, cleaned up everything, made the preliminary selection of favorite things, decided to keep my old camera, only had to buy a few replacement items, and it's all sitting waiting to go (as I am). I almost drove myself crazy with the camera issue. I wanted a camera that was light and had a small charger I could easily take along. I also wanted to stay with the SD card so I could use the ones I had. I wanted a camera that could fit into my small hip belt pocket. I bought and returned four nice digital cameras before deciding the one I had wasn't too bad. After all it made the trip last year and didn't have any problems. So I will stay with my Canon digital ELPH. This decision has an added benefit: money saved.I've decided to keep the rain gear I used last year. After all it's still in pretty good condition. It had a small tear on the leg, but this was easily repaired. If it turns out to be a rainy year and I don't like the performance of the rain gear, I can always select another set at Neel's Gap, NOC, Gatlinburg, Hot Springs, or (you get the picture). I've also decided to wear my old boots, after all they only have about 600 miles on them. I'll start out during the coldest part of the journey in a nice broken in pair of boots and like the rain gear, will consider replacement somewhere along the trail.Most of the other gear was a no brain-er, it seemed to work last year so I'll stay with it again on this journey. If I get tired of it or it wears out then... I'll change it out for something new and (so fresh and clean.)The only gear which is up in the air is my water treatment. Last year I started with a filter and ended up using Aqua Mira. This year I have been thinking about a Steri Pen. I can't get past the fact that you need four AA batteries and a charger if you select rechargeable ones. The device looks and sounds great, but it weighs a lot more than my Aqua Mira. It would be nice to treat and drink without the wait. I guess the question is wait, or weight. This decision will probably be decided after some more research. If anyone has any thoughts on this I'd love to hear from you.   The food decision will be a last minute selection. I still have some freeze dried packets from last year which I would like to use up. I liked the Knorr/Lipton pasta selections easily cooked on my alcohol stove. I added a foil packet of chicken or some other ingredients along with some olive oil and had a nice dinner. It was always easy to find and easy to cook. For lunch I usually enjoyed a sandwich made with pita bread and whatever seemed good or was available. Breakfasts usually consisted of some kind of breakfast cereal bar (usually a kids favorite selected for highest calories), breakfast pies or honey buns. I also liked carrying some fresh fruit as a luxury. My cravings evolved and I tried to go with them, but sometimes my food bag ended up being very heavy. I really didn't plan on going into all this...I started out wanting to say Happy New Year. I send my best wishes for a great New Year to all. I look forward to meeting and hiking with the Class of 2007. I hope we have a great time and are successful in our goals and our journey is one we will cherish forever and that it will bring many personal rewards.