RAAAR!! Anticipation!

Anticipation is rising.
This room is my sanctuary. 

I lay on my back staring at the four posters of my bed. I inspect the deep glossy shine of the mahogany wood and the beautiful curve of each post against the deep purple walls I painted. I can smell the faint lemon oil polish I applied last week as well as the bright scent of grapefruit and roses which happen to be my current blend of favorite perfumes and lotions. I pull the rich ruby red comforter up under my chin and listen to the gentle tick tick tick of the ceiling fan.
I wonder what propelled me to begin planning an extended trip that would take me away from my favorite safe place.
It has been 6 months of non stop planning. Everything has been considered, researched, questioned, tried on for size, broken, junked, replanned, coveted, and returned.
I believe only someone truly passionate about backpacking -- OR someone completely obsessive - can take on this sort of endeavor!

~::~~::~~::~~

So --I've been intensely working out for the last month. Yes ONE WHOLE MONTH. I definitely FEEL stronger and better . . .though honestly the closer the time gets to leaving for my trip - the more anxious I become. I have completed all of my gear collecting and I feel very confident with my choices.

The flight is booked to San Diego and I am excited to spend a couple days there checking out the Gas Lamp area and the San Diego Zoo. .. . I'm dying to see a panda. If you know anything about me I'm bonkers for pandas!!!

Though all the planning is settling -  I'm trying to rein in my crazy energy. I know it must be spilling out of me - a mixture of fear and excitement - longing - question marks! I don't even want to be around people because I know my craziness is filling the air and someone will suspect how truly unhinged I really am. LOL.

The only thing that seems to keep this nervousness all in check is the constant daily grind of going to my workout at Agility as well as loading up my pack with literally EVERYTHING I plan to carry including food and water. I'm at 27lbs now which feels alright.  . . I noticed carrying 4 liters of water was breaking my back - but 3 liters is good. ALSO I traded out my MSR 4 liter Dromedary bag that just kind of sloshed around like a heavy unanchored ocean- for one of these 3 liter Osprey bags that has a firm backing and structure. . .it just seems to sit nicer and placed perfectly.

My first hike out with the pack loaded was actually pretty brutal. My arms were screaming. I totally loaded my pack wrong. It was as if a giant HAND FROM ABOVE was pressing down heavily upon my shoulders as I trudged on in the relentless flat nowhere of sw Florida. . . ok ya that was dramatic. . but STILLLLLLLL - Thats how it felt!

As the weeks pour on - I've gotten pretty good at organizing my pack to be JUST SO. And now I'm thinking about details that normally would escape my attention . . .

For example I woke up this morning thinking about my 3 lbs of nutritional shake powder I'm carrying and how RANK it smells if you don't clean it out pronto.

If you drink protein shakes you know exactly what I'm talking about!! -  I'm wondering if I will have enough water to sufficiently keep this cup from smelling horrible - and if I really have enough food to bring along.  It is one thing to hike for several miles then go home shower and be tucked in bed each night - and another to hike and then sleep out there- somewhere.

I'm wondering how the hell I'm going to make this happen since I pretty much conk out each day after 90 mins strength training and 6 mile weighted pack hike.

- My crazy fears about bears checking out my tent are getting drowned out by pure energy. - which is a good thing. I kind of freak out a little thinking about bears. 

There are 2 months between me and the trail now. That is 8 more weeks of workouts and sticking to my diet. I've lost 10 lbs. Which should help my joints out. . . . Hoping to lose as much as I can before making it to California so I can travel quickly and efficiently. 

I will keep you posted. . . <3 xoxox

Planning Food

Hey ALL!
I'm planning out what food to bring. I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind being very blah and boring while on the trail - as long as I'm getting the fuel I need.
I won't lie --- I'm totally hoping to drop a few pounds while attempting to make 20ish miles a day for 5 months!. . . I want to be on the move and not carrying a lot of crap that has many small parts. I just can't stand it. I'm kind of a set it and forget it kinda gal! LOL.
-I am planning on going cold for at least the beginning of the adventure.

Carrying:
Shakeology
Peanutbutter
Meal Replacement Bars
Nuts 
Dried blueberies
Oatmeal
Chunk Chicken Breast Packets

I hope to hit up towns for nice hot meals when I can as well as get my fruit fix in!!
-I'm really very happy with just water but I suppose I will miss that nice hot cup of coffee I usually have in the morning. . . . I thought about those Starbucks VIA things. . .still considering. .  .maybe drop a packet into a water bottle with a carnation instant breakfast.
I'm very flexible with bringing stuff and finding out what works for the long haul. I realize things will change and I'm down. I just really need to get my vitamins. Vitamins are a requirement for me.

The point is I don't want to be carrying a whole lot of crazy food garbage I need to be packing in and out of the trail. I am someone who likes to eat a bit then return and finish the meal later- I have a hard time loading in one shot.  So going cold seems to be the most appealing to me for that reason as well as others.

I have quite a few friends who will be meeting up to spend a few days or even a few weeks with me on the trail. -And friends I can stop in and visit to rest up - do laundry and take a nice hot shower! I'm so excited to see these people along the way and very grateful for their hospitality! Being from Florida - I know I will feel pretty displaced- so having several friends who drop in along the way will be magic!

Back from the COLD!!!

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!! Now that I've graduated from USF - YAY!!!!!!

- I'm hitting up all my dreams big time! The above photo is the frozen icicles of Box Canyon Falls!

I just enjoyed a fantastic holiday with family and friends for Christmas in Durango, Colorado. It was so fun to be out of sweltering Florida and playing in the snow!
I also reconnected with a very dear friend I haven't seen in nearly 9 years- DIANNE!!!!!

The elevation of Colorado had me winded for sure- but I got to test out some of the winter gear I plan on bringing with me to the PCT. Everything worked just as I hoped it would and I couldn't be more excited. 19 degree weather NO PROBLEM!!!! . . . .though. . . .it wasn't windy. I know that wind makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE hahahah!

Shoes held up in snow without getting my feet wet. - Also the capiline 3 half zip top I have is magic. As I hiked further into the cold - of course I got super warm and that top kept me breathing but regulated. I have a feeling it will be my fav on the trail!

Now that 2014 has HIT - the realization that April will be upon us soon is really hitting home! I'm planning my ticket now and happy to be in touch with some friends who live out west as well as a couple folks from the Class of 2014 PCT FB page.