July 5th Vacation readings

Today has been a lazy day of reading and thinking. I guess that would be physically lazy but not mentally so. I've been reading and pondering a book I got yesterday and just finished, "Why we get fat and what to do about it". It is a fascinating book, full of historical information about the scientific/medical community and the collective wisdom from previous decades, much of which appears to be dead wrong. And from a social perspective, observing why the powers that be refuse to incorporate new information into their views of diet and the causes of chronic diseases' such as diabetes and heart disease.

Like most women in my family (the genetic component) I have struggled with maintaining what I think of as an appropriate weight most of my adult life. I was raised up with the idea that fat was bad because it was supposed to make one fat and cause heart disease. Complex carbohydrate were best, along with small portions of lean protein. Interesting to note, even though this has been the common theme since the early 60's, rates of heart disease, obesity and diabetes have only increased in the ensuing decades. And I'm carrying around 25 pounds more than I should be.

What the author of this book states is that ALL chronic diseases common to western cultures can be linked to excessive and unstable (my words) production of insulin. And what produces this state? Carbohydrates, at least most carbohydrates will do this to excess. Crazy. Yet if you look at the food pyramid we are all supposed to follow for a healthy diet, you find carbohydrates recommended as the bulk of foods we should consume. Hum. Which came first?

I'm not a scientist but I'm also not stupid. Seems like there might be a problem here and I for one am going to try out a diet that is restrictive of carbs, other than veggies that are low on the glycemic index and a bit of fruit here and there. Protein with added fats will make up the rest of my diet and I'll see what happens. Unfortunately this kind of diet will be impossible for me once I get back on the trail but I'll give it a go till then and see what happens. All I know for sure is that the only food that quells my hunger and keeps me satisfied longer has always been protein. So scientific evidence aside, my body resonates with the ideas in this book. I'll keep you posted.

July 2nd Wadell Creek, Ca

Finally got my feet on the ground again and went walking with a group of friends this morning. Every Monday a group heads out for a 2/3 hour walk somewhere in Santa Cruz county. Today was a walk on the north coast, almost to San Mateo county.

Waddell Creek runs from up in the high coastal mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean. It rolls through state parks and organic farms, from the hot sun to the fog that lays in wait just off the coast in the summer months.

One could walk for miles in this area but we just did a three mile loop from the coast and back again. It was nice to walk casually again, with little in the way of goals other than to enjoy oneself and laugh with friends. Here is a photo of our motley crew and rows of potatoes in a field.

June 28th It's all good!

Got the results from all my tests and I am, according to the results, the picture of health. Excellent! I can only guess I got a stomach bug, either from some food source or from the ethers, or aliens ;-) Whatever. But it's all good and confirms my plan to begin again on August 1st. Woohoo!

June 25th Going back out there

Angela tells me I should announce when I plan to get back on the trail so I guess I'll let you all in on the plans, as they stand now.

Assuming I get my gut issues resolved I am planning to head back out to the trail on August 1st, or thereabouts. I'll drive my truck to Ashland, Oregon and leave it at my cousins house just off of Hwy 5 and take off east on the PCT. Oregon is relatively flat, and I've never hiked there, so it seems a good spot to re-enter the trip. I will have close to two months to work my way up and see just how far I can get before the snows fly in the north. Hopefully all the way to Canada.

As for my health status I should get the results of my tests this Thursday and I'll post the outcome here as soon as I know what is up. I feel better now than I've felt in a couple of weeks but that doesn't mean I'm done with it, whatever "it" is. But hey, at least I'm home and having fun while I figure this out.

June 23rd IKEA Snafu

Yesterday we went to IKEA to buy cabinets for the Toolery. As usual we had fun looking at all the stuff and thinking of what we must have but fortunately I don't have a home to put stuff in so I was able to resist purchasing things.

The fun stopped after we paid for the the stuff and began the long and boring wait to have the cabinets pulled from the warehouse. It must have taken an hour to get the goodies but finally we were done and on the road home. Back at the Toolery we managed to get the first three cabinets done and installed with ease but when we broke open the last box what did we see but that the cabinet had been previously assembled, then disassembled and put back in the box. That was a bit irritating in itself but when we went to hang the cabinet, the necessary hardware was MIA. WTF? Not only did they sell us something used as new, but it wasn't even complete! Grrrrrr.

I got on the phone and called the customer service line only to be told my two options were to drive back to IKEA (100 mile round trip) or we could wait for two weeks to have the parts shipped from Sweden. As much as I like some of their products, this kind of thing is way more common with this company than I like. This is a perfect example of the worst kind of customer service and outcome. I'm still cranky about it.

Pictures of A at IKEA and the cabinets completed. I know none of this has anything to do with backpacking but it is what I'm up to right now.

June 21st The Toolery

I love making stuff. Angela and I hit the studio first thing this morning with the intent of getting her casting set up working and workable. Of course what I think can get done in one day will take twice that time I think we'll get done pretty soon.

Went to the doc today and he ordered tests which I will take tomorrow. Hopefully by next week the test results will say something helpful and I'll be able to fix this thing. I'd sure like to be done with it.

Off to Capitola Book Cafe tonight to hear the woman speak who wrote The book "Wild". Everyone seems excited to hear her speak. It seems strange to be just off the trail and be listening to her speak of it... we will see.

Pictures of A and some of her tools at the Toolery.

June 20 Summer Solstice

I am packed and ready to climb in Beth's car when she arrives. The plan is for us to camp for the night, possibly in Tuolumne Meadows, then head home in the morning. I made an appointment with my doc for tomorrow afternoon as my sx have returned. If I'm correct in my assumptions I'll get some Flagel and all will be well within a day or two. I'm just hoping my energy returns.

I won't be activating my spot tonight as its buried inside my pack and I'm too lazy to get it out. Made it home to SCz safe and sound. Beth is my knightess in shining armor.