A Little of This & A Little of That

We thought we would take this time (two weeks before we hit the trail) to expound on a few odds and ends that some may be interested in learning about in a little more detail.



All Fun and Games

We have this neat little setup in our backyard to help us (mostly Pocahontas) improve our balance for log crossings. Legsasorus went to the local Home Depot and purchased some materials to create a couple of balance beams. He set them at odd angles and far enough apart that we really have to stretch our legs out to transfer from one beam to the other. This simulates what we may find over any given body of water, we may have to transfer ourselves from one log to another and this has been really helpful in making us a lot more confident in making the transfers. Plus, he has made them super tiny in circumference so that anything we encounter out on the trail will be a piece of cake by comparison.  (Hopefully) 
 

Right now we are working on walking the whole length of the beams not using our hiking poles for balance. Not as easy as it looks! Especially without breaking our legs before we go. But no matter how much we train over the lawn, it is a totally different matter over rushing water when the vertigo hits. We haven't figured out how to simulate that yet. To be honest though, we haven't been training as much as we should be on this. Time to step it up big time!


Concentrate!

 

We are now happy to announce that (drumroll please!)...... We are done with putting together our resupply boxes!


We finished them on Saturday morning, and they are safely tucked away in the VanSanten (our resuppliers) work shed. That was a lot of work, but we are oh so happy that when we hit towns, all we have to do is retrieve them from the post office and away we go. No time spent shopping or repackaging, just blissful relaxation for us on zero days.

 

We are now taking care of the various odds and ends that we never seem to be finished with. We just picked up our toothbrushes, how light is this? 0.10 oz. to be exact! It says it is gentle and easy to use, and fights tarter and plaque with regular use. We are set!

Friday was the last day of work for Pocahontas. The day was filled with bittersweet moments as she faced the last time she would drive that route to work, to the last time she would drive away to go home. Feel free to keep in contact, some encouraging words from friends goes a long ways out on the trail.

 

This is the way she spent her last day, playing around with various camera effects and saying goodbye to those hard workers at Imex America Corp. It has been the best 10 years of her work life. Thank you all!



 

Legasorus is now retired and also loving the freedom. He started out 25 years ago with Viking Freight. That was a time when we were just starting out in our life, we had nothing (not even enough money to buy a paperback book) and we are grateful Legasorus was able to land a job with Viking. Then FedEx bought Viking, so he is retired officially from FedEx. He also wants to express his appreciation for the steady work and great hours. He never had to be a long haul driver and be away from home for more than 2 days at a time.

 

 Here's a bit of a spoiler, he is already planning his 2014 solo hike on the PCT. Maybe southbound? 

 

It does feel very good though to be free right now, our time is our own and we own it!