Date: 2013-01-09
To: bought last of gear!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well my wife should be happy that the last of my gear was bought today. I bought a Princeton headlamp, that with 3 batteries weighs 2.8 ounces and a pair of carbon trekking poles that should work better than my cheap pair last year(they kept coming loose and shrinking down at the worst times). I started the trek out last year with one pole and about 100 miles into it I found a great tree branch to become my second pole. Probably should have just gone that route this year, but you do get some looks of amazement from the day hikers doing so. I added a minimal first aid kit as well. My pack weight stands at 12 lbs 3 oz and in the summer it should be under 11 lbs. Getting old is taking some getting used to. Today after I went to REI I dropped by the Wendy¢s so I could get their 99 cent hamburger. The young lady behind the counter asked me if I wanted the ¢free Senior¢s drink¢. I guess my look ¢OF WHAT THE HELL?¢ told her no and she rung up my bill. Damn! Although it does make me wonder if I can use the old age card on the trek and get shelter space? Maybe a seniors section that has softer wooden boards than normal?On 24 Jan I am getting my right knee scoped and should be back on the stationary bike two days after and running and heavy weights two-three weeks. I¢ve had bits of bone floating around in my knee for years and the doc wants to take it out so it won¢t move into a knee joint on the trek. At the same time they will smooth out the underside of my knee cap/cartilige. Then in March I will get a shot of ¢lubricant¢ to help keep the inflammation down.   The good news is all of my ligaments in the knee are in great shape per the doctor¢s words. I got to admit this time around I¢ve had some great doctors trying to tune my body up for this hike. I thought I was in relatively good shape, but¢¦.Now to start playing with all of the gear I have; yup I¢m worse than a kid at Christmas. It has been so cold here that I can¢t go camping and hikes have been very short. I found out last year hiking in zero temps here, although fun, didn¢t really help me when it came to the weather back East. Besides I like to feel my toes after an hour or so.Speaking of toes, all of my eight toenails that I lost because of too small of shoes have grown back so it must be time to go hiking. I¢ve bought a pair of Oboz Yellowstone boots and they are great, so far. The toes have plenty of room, they are a size 13 although I think I wear a 11 12 normal shoe. I have a pair of Oboz trail runners as well but with all of the rocks and tree roots, I just feel better having some ankle support. Well this has to be the year to finish the AT. I really want to hike the PCT in 14, but after that I don¢t think my wife is going to let me take whole summers off to hike. If we are going to spend money, I guess it will have to be on vacations we both can take. My wife is a great outdoor person..as long as there is running water (hot)for a shower at the end of the day. I'm fine with that and if I can do these few things, then I am ok with shorter hikes- ones maybe I can take my dog on!!!! Take care, see ya on the trail!