Tying Up Loose Ends

Four, three, two, one…hike!

I’m finally down to counting the days on one hand…FOUR.  MORE.  DAYS!

I timed my start (April 26) to coincide with the new moon, an auspicious time for beginning things, if you’re into the astrological woo.

Which means now, the time right before the new moon, is the time for tying up loose ends.

My loose ends are flapping all over the place, but gradually I’m getting them tied down.

My resupply is coming together.

I’ve filled eleven boxes with a total of 45 days worth of food, which means 45 freezer bag dinners (Coconut Chicken Curry, anyone?  African Peanut Stew?  I created a recipe book that you can get here if you’re interested in freezer bag meals for the trail.)

Did someone say Permethrin?

I have a selection of small items yet to be spritzed with tick-killing goodness.  I’m regretting not sending my socks and gaiters to Insect Shield, but I’ve been tweaking my sock system, and ran out of time.

For the record, I’m joining the chorus of toe-sock lovers.

Foot bliss!

Wool toe sock liners + Darn Tough socks + Altra Lone Peaks = foot bliss!

Bounce Box.

I haven’t narrowed this down completely, but I’ve gathered up some things I’d like to include in my bounce box–little keyboard for blogging ease, giant refill bottle of Advil for hiker hobble, tulle skirt for town, because why not?

Sweating the small stuff.  And poison ivy?

In between last minute coffee dates, training hikes and living vicariously through other people’s AT blogs, I pack and unpack my bag a couple of times a day.

Eyeing my gear with a critical eye toward shaving weight takes my mind off the blistery, itchy rash I got on my training hike the other day.

Speaking of Training Hikes and Coffee Dates!

We got in a 10-miler the other day on the Trail outside of Hot Springs, from Tanyard Gap to the Spring Mountain Shelter.

10.2 miles, 2,900 feet of elevation gain, a taste of the NOBO bubble.

We met several hikers, including Little Goat and Rock.  They’d all zeroed a couple of days in Hot Springs (it would be hard not to stop there…great town) and were finally straggling back to the trail, well-fed and smelling good.

Or at least not smelling bad.

We saw the ass-end of a bear and I discovered that my pack cover is too small and my hands-free umbrella set up needs more refining.

Best part of the day was joining our friends, Pattie & Ed, at their home in Hot Springs.  As always, it involved Duck Rabbit Milk Stout, solving world problems and several impromptu and nostalgic dance parties (Elvis Costello!  REM!  Prince!).

“What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?”

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This week brought us wild azaleas blooming on the Mountains to Sea Trail.

And four more days to lift off.