All Systems Go...

At present, weather forecast for day 1 is Low of 37, high of 50 and sunny - Perfect!

My brain is scattered, but morale is high. Worried about my feet/boots, but I'll play it by ear. Finalizing my pack contents, meals, mail drop locations and financial arrangements.

At this point, I've bid farewell to my clients so the next 5 days before I leave will be the final days for preparation.

I have to admit, the last couple days I've been a bit scared, while still confident, if that makes any sense. It's not so much being scared for the journey ahead as it is maybe just a realization that this trip I've been planning on for 4 years is finally here. All up until this time I've been able to go to sleep knowing that I will wake up the next morning in my bed and then that day I would go to be knowing I would wake up in the same place the day after.

As a Cancer, astrologically, this trip is everything I should loathe and fear. Cancers, like Hobbits, are content when things in their life are fairly static and comfortable, when you can do something with expected results or not do anything at all. When something or someone comes around to shake up your world view or basically move you out of your protective environment, it becomes very uncomfortable, very quickly. That's where I am now.

I could have been very detailed about my planning, figuring out where I will be approximately when. I could have prepared numerous resupply boxes with needed supplies, medicines, etc. I could have researched every foot of the trail and nearby amenities so that when I near a trail head or trail town, I'd know exactly what to expect. I could have purchased a small GPS and programmed it with every possible place I will see along my way.

But I've not done that...for better or worse.

I am fairly comfortable with my first 300 miles or so of the trail knowing what towns await, but beyond that, I will be reading maps and doing my planning as I go. I know approximately what major points of interest I want to see, but am leaving the rest for chance. The only definites so far are about 4 stops along the way to see people or attend events, and I know I have to summit Kathadin in Maine by October 15. The rest is all tentative.

I am a fairly spiritual person and have a good amount of faith that I will be guided along on my journey and that things will work out. For that reason, I don't have any fears about the vast majority of things that could happen, and I look at each opportunity as a learning experience, be it good or bad. Hopefully though, I will have predominantly good experiences, because bad experiences suck.

I do have a long list already of things that I would have or should have done differently. Perhaps they will be included in some sort of memoir when I return about my journey. But for now, no expectations and no regrets.

I have a long journey ahead, and while I am a bit fearful about the initial stage of my trip, I trust that things will work themselves out.

After all... I will be a Mountain Man soon enough.

Ron