Sunday, March 23, 2008

Our Last Day of Civilization

This morning Mom, Dustan, Trail and I set out for Knoxville, TN.  The Jeep was loaded down with our huuuuge backpacks (his is weighing in at 50 and mine is around 41.8), Trail's pack (weighing 9.7) and extra bags of Trail's high energy dogfood.  

We had to do 2 maildrops for Trail's food.  One in Franklin, NC and one in Erwin, TN.  She has to consume roughly 5 cups/2000 calories per day to avoid losing muscle tissue.  I've heard that there are people that take their dogs on the trail but don't feed them enough and you run into some pretty emaciated dogs.  We have an emergency cell so I can make a call to PETA. :)

Today we will spend Easter here with sis and Mike, and her culinary skill has produced everything from chicken salad to coconut creme pie to tomato chutney to quiche.  This is the kind of caloric send-off we've been getting from everyone who hosts us.  It might not hurt us to get down to the muscle tissue-burning phase of weight loss!

Tomorrow morning sis will drive us from Knoxville to the trail head in Springer Mountain.  I'm scared to even Google the weather in northern Georgia....

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi ho hi ho. . . its off to the wilderness you go! Fair weather and trails dear friend!

Anonymous said...

Hi, guys! We found your blog. May your adventure be blessed! Love you guys and look forward to reading future updates!

The Trent Tribe (Brian, Amanda, Katie, Gracie, Emrie and Judah)

Anonymous said...

Good luck on the trip! I also do a lot of backpacking. If that 50 lb pack starts to get you down, pick up Ray Jardine's guide to ultralight backpacking. He has tips to halve your packweight and still be comfortable. My winter total weight is around 15-20 with food and water and my summer pack is about 12-14. My silnylon tarp weighs a pound and my down bag about 2. Alchohol stoves are bombproof and you can make one from a cat food can. Keep the alcohol warm and it works much better. Those three items can cut your weight by about 10-15 pounds. Have fun!

Carrie Dickson said...

We were celebrating our first anniversary on your first day on the trail. Last night, we were pampered at a world-class resort while you and Dustan were toughing out your first night on the trail. What an amazing life. You are in my prayers. Have FUN!