Date: 2008-01-14
To: Snow Rest Day
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, I was talking with the neighbor (been living here for well over 30 years) and he can not recall too many years when there has been more snow. We definitely need the snow pack, especially high in the mountains, but it would better suit me if my snow had been deposited about 5,000 higher on Wedge Mountain just behind the house, rather than on the house and driveway. The snow is cutting into my preparation time and that is not good.Believe it or not, there has been no significant snow accumulation for two days. Old faithful snow thrower is getting a much needed rest, warm and cozy in the shop. Hopefully, it will not be too restful when the next storm hits and we need to do some work.We were in town last week getting Carla a new back pack. I also ordered two new down sleeping bags from Feathered Friends in Seattle. We made a budget for this trip and figured we could spend a few dollars updating some of our old (ancient) gear. Assuming a good bag lasts 25 to 30 years, this may well be the last ones we ever buy¢maybe one more when we hit 90 years young and go back packing with the great grand kids.On a hunch, I went to BioSports (sports trainers) on Friday for a check up to see if my knees and feet were in good mechanical shape and to see if I could get some pointers on hiking that may prevent another injury.   It was an eye opening experience and I wish I had done that a year ago. I think I learned more in a couple hours than I have learned reading and studying on my own in the past year. Two of the most important outcomes are my shoe inserts are not quite right (so we made some adjustments) and I did some new exercises that are more focused on my quads and gluteus muscles (since I was a bit sore the following day, the new exercises are helping).   We are down to less than 50 days so everyday of training (up to a point) is pretty important from here on out. I am not planning to over-train just before I get on the trail, but I will be focused during the remaining time. I know the outcome of not being in some sort of shape when you wander north off Springer Mountain.I noticed in Unknown Hiker's TJ the list of internet access sites and would add a couple more to his list. Hiker Hostel has access upstairs if you stay with them on the departure so you can post before the start and if you catch the shuttle ride at Woody Gap, you can post after a day or two. In Franklin, Hobnocker¢s Internet Caf© just a block down the street from Haven Motel is high speed, great coffee and very helpful support staff with lots of computers (I down loaded photos, burnt CD, updated TJ, had an hour plus of high speed access and got 16 oz mocha all for $8.). Ron Haven also has computers in motel office with free access. Standing Bear still has computer in the laundry room and Curtis is all around good guy. Outfitter in Hot Springs has access, but there was a waiting line. Holiday Motor in Pearisburg has free computer in lobby. I did have problems with the computer information in the Hiker Companion book. Maybe its just terminology from the computer geeks that I don¢t understand, but I found cases where the site promoting computer access meant there was a plug in the wall for you to use, you supply the computer and then other sites with the same language supporting a high speed computer attached to the plug in the wall and all I had to do was move the mouse for the screen to get active. Very seldom did I find a site where I could down load pictures from my camera chip or camera. If anyone has figured out a way to use smart phone or small palm pilot like machine to get straight access to update TJ (without go between support person) please let me know. I think this would be a good market if someone can figure it out. As near as I can tell, many hikers use phone to send e-mail and phone photos to support person who then posts data to TJ. I would like to be able to down load camera photos and update TJ from trail and by-pass the support person. I talked with Verizon at local store and they don¢t know of any way. It seems to me the business travelers would have the figured out.Time is getting short, and we are getting ready¢¦..