Still getting Ready

May 30 2011

Well the time is getting close to the start of the trip only 4 days left before we leave. Twenty years ago I would have not even questioned it but today I worry about the little things. I have hafted the pack a carried it around a little bit without too much trouble so I think it will be OK.

As preparation I have think things are coming together well. Dianne and I have purchased a new tent which I pitched yesterday and looks good. It is a little bigger than I wanted but not as big as the tent Dianne was thinking of so it is aa all things are in a relationship a good compromise one I an live with and so can she. I really do not understand why I should complain about this though as it is the pack she will have to carry, I guess it is just the principle of more weight. This is a hangover from hiking the Appalachians trail. We also purchased a new light weight tarp, pitched it and tied on all the ropes ect. I have repaired my pack hanging block and tackle to hang the food packs. (As a side not we now have two brand new SealLine Propack Bags the old ones tore along seams while hanging them not a bad deal. I was pleased as they were victims of at least 10 trips all rough so lifetime warranty in this case means lifetime) I repaired Dianne's desired paddle and we are still discussing what other paddles take ass spares. The “oar” I carved last year is my paddle and maybe I test it out before leaving. Something to think about at least. Well I just have the clothe pack to close and then I think we are ready.

I have even practiced typing sitting down to make sure I can record stuff on the net book. Not too bad except for some reason the stupid thing keeps suggesting “toothbrush” whenever I type “too”. Just one of those things I have to get used to I guess.

OK that is the pre news for now.
Love to all and to all a good day!
Allan

Preparing for Travel

Well I am going to try another long trip.
For those of you do not know me I have(or had depending of your view of Cancer) stage IV melanoma and have done much better than the doctor expected. I have taken the time between treatments and jobs to go on long adventure trips. So this one will be my 5th.
Counting from the first:
1) Rodent's Ride (Andy my son and I rode across the USA on Bicycles)
2)Mississippi Howl (Wife and I paddled Mississippi River)
3)Appalachian Trial (just my dog on long hike)
4)Able Rodent Ride (Bother-in-law and I bicycled the length of Mississippi)

So what the challenge this time? Well my wife and I will paddle our homemade canoe from our home town of Noblesville to the Gulf of Mexico. This trip is around 1500 miles and should take about 2 months.

Planning has been ongoing for a couple of months preparing food, gathering gear, repairing stuff, checking maps and buying some new equipment. So far all the food is packed, our gear is spread out in the basement, and we are awaiting delivery of some new equipment ordered online. Dianne and I are getting excited about leaving and have been following the flooding on the river pretty closely. Today (May 20, 2011) the forecast is for Vickburg to be back to normal levels about June 14, so it looks like we start as planned on June 4th.

Still a little sore from the surgery last May but should be able to do the trip. After all if I could ride a bicycle that far last September, I should be able to paddle a canoe that far. Dianne should help out too.

Here is a picture of 36 days of dried food before we packed it.

As you can see we have 8 type of main meals
Curry
Spaghetti
Pizza
Chili
Beef Stew
Lentil and Red Pepper Stew
Gumbo
Chinese Fried Rice
That should give us lots of variety and keep us well fed on the trip.

Well I have to finish repairing a paddle and a couple reports today so that is enough for the time being.
Love all and to all a great day
Allan