Finishing touches

I am lounging on a large, over stuffed couch in the home of San Diego trail angels, Frodo and Scout (trail names). My pack is full with 4 days of food but no water and it weighs in at 21 pounds. Not too shabby. I have the capacity to carry six liters of water but it appears as though I won't need to do so. There's more water between the border and each stopping place than I had hoped for. These recent rain have really helped out on that score.

Staying here tonight are two people from the Lake District in England, four folks from Israel, two from Florida and two from Washington. Quite the international crowd we have here. The only people not here are the owners as they are away until late tonight. They have food for all of us to eat and apparently dinner will arrive sometime later this evening. The kindness of strangers is amazing.

More tomorrow from the trail!

Mom's house

I've been hanging out at my Mom's place for the last few days, chatting it up with her and my other family members near by while at the same time trying to get the final touches done on my pack. All was going well, though taking longer than I had hoped. until I got to the final touches to the hip belt. I completed two very nice (if I do say so myself) hip belt pouches and at the final hour, just before dinner yesterday, I attached them to my belt. Low and behold, I put one of the pouches on upside down. As in, the zipper opening at the bottom. As in a real screw-up. To say I was disappointed in my self is a real understatement. Had I not waited till the last minute I would have had time to reverse my mistake, even if I didn't want to, but today is drive-to-San Diego day so I will have to devise something to make it work. I'll let you know what I come up with in my next missive. Stay tuned!

Leaving town!

Just a brief note to say I am on the road this morning, driving in the rain to visit my Mom in Riverside County. I hope those LA drivers don't create havoc on the roads. Only five more days till I hit the 'ole dusty trail... Woohoo!

Food packed and ready to be shipped

No time now for a long post. I am in the last two full days before I leave town and my lists seem to be multiplying, like rabbits. I must say I am relieved to have the food out of my house and over to Angela's studio. I can now concentrate on getting the rest of my stuff done, and putting my place back together!

Hauling the boxes from our vehicles to the studio

Me, being dramatic, pretending to tear out my hair

All filled and tucked away into a corner

Angela, looking at the list of places she will have to ship... reconsidering her volunteer role perhaps?