Monday, December 31, 2007

Prep Entry #2

I have a zillion things to consider in preparation for this trip. Weather. Clothing appropriate for the weather. Footwear. Water availability (there is a drought in North Carolina). Potential dangers (lightening, scary people, flesh-ripping angry dogs, being the proof that mountain lions have returned to the Appalachians). To cook food or eat raw/ precooked food? Music - radio or fancy new iPod nano? Getting to Outer Banks. Tent or tarp? How do I find a bike at the right time and place? And how am I going to hike without my lucky orange mug that I accidentally left in Minnesota?

So I just make lots of arbitrary decisions:
The weather looks good for the next 10 days. Dress, spandex, long underwear, long-sleeve shirt, sleeping bag and liner. Chacos. Bring two liters to start and hope that I don't end up dehydrated, weather-worn and dead as a doorknob when the Outer Banks tourist season begins in the spring. 1% pepper spray (long-term safe for dogs). Raw. Radio. Greyhound to Elizabeth City. Tarp. Serendipity. Courage.

I will be carrying my cell phone, checking messages and updating this blog with photos and stories when I find public libraries.

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