Date: 2008-02-17
To: Decisions
Miles today: 0.0

Some decisions are easier than others. For example, I discovered that I perfer instant coffee to the coffee singles that I have been using from the beginning of my hiking career. I get the same consistant brew with the instant. The little plastic jars hold 2 oz. Now I'll have to figure out how long the little jar lasts. The singles had been easy to count out and send ahead in a bounce box.The hardest decision has been HOW to get to the trail...train, bus, or automobile. At this time I'm also taking into consideration having to get off the trail to deal with legal stuff. I decided against having my husband take me to the trailhead because I didn't want his last memory be of me walking away and him having to drive 8 hours back home dwelling on that. I was hoping to take train or bus to Gainesville, GA, then be picked up by the Hiker Hostel, well taken care of, and then deposited at Stamp Gap. I thought about taking my car to the trail. Any old way, my good friend, Red Cheeks, is going to drive me to Springer Mtn. and pick me up if or when I will need to come home.The biggest no-brainer decision is: Not To Hike The Approach Trail. Free advice: Don't Do It! I did it once and my curiousity was cured. The mileage doesn't count and there is no badge earned for doing it. However, if you are wondering if you could thru-hike the AT, you ought to try it. (snicker, giggle)The next hardest decision has been WHEN to get on the trail...and only because of the estate stuff up in the air. As of today, and this could change, I plan on starting Wednesday, March 5th. I like the idea of starting in the middle of the week only because I'm imaging hoards of thru-hikers taking off like runners at a marathon on the weekends. Also I need a focus date. Not only do I hike slow, I pack slow, etc. Having a red circle on the calendar will hopefully keep me on target with getting ready to go. I tend to procrastinate.I ordered $55. worth of new maps to replace my outdated ones. Yes, I know they are heavy and there are these handy white blazes on the trees to follow...I like having them in case of an emergency. If needed, I could find the quickest way to civilization. And besides, there is always someone at a shelter wanting to look at my map because he didn't want to carry the extra weight. So if there is anyone who wants outdated maps of Maine, New York/New Jersey, Southwest Virginia, Tennessee/North Carolina, just let me know. (I don't think the mountains had moved or anything...) However, I may have to hold onto my Georgia map, because guess which map has been backordered?I decided to use the new guide, "Appalachian Pages", by David Miller and Rick Towle. I like the perforated pages and the profile watermarks. However, I'm going to miss calling Wingfoot names when I can't find something. Being a seasoned but slow hiker, the only new equipment I still need is a new sleeping bag. I have my eye on a 15* down bag at REI. I'm waiting for my REI dividend. I used a 20* Cat's Walk on my 2004 hike. I discovered that I sleep cold. Also I want less weight and the new bag will be under 2 pounds. I hope I don't get it wet.I think I have a transcriber. I'm so excited I found Butterfingers. I met her in 2004. I can't wait to talk to her.I decided on 13 maildrops. Now I have to decide if I want Flat Rate boxes or not. I've been told that if your box weighs over 4 pounds, it is cheaper to go with the Flat Rate box. I'll have to weigh a practice maildrop to see. I have over a dozen different resupply items I want to send to myself.Must go and pack.