We are off!

So we are off!  Derek had his eyes set on 11am today, but let's be honest, my last day of work was yesterday, so I haven't really been able to focus on the trip as much.  Turns out leaving your house for 8 weeks takes a lot of preparation!  In addition, we were told yesterday that one of our tires was put on "backwards" and we have a tail light out, so we spent the morning at Goodyear.  I can't help but feel anxious about leaving our cat, but luckily we have a really great cat sitter.  So, it looks like we might try to make 4 hours in the car today and camp in Alabama or Arkansas.  The first couple of days of our trip are always more about the car than the camping because we are just trying to bee line through the middle of the country.  It usually hits us about a week in to the trip that we are finally doing it, but this year I can already start to feel it.  Sleeping on the ground in nature, making a fire for warmth, eating to satisfy hunger (not just to eat), and disconnecting from everyday distractions.  Speaking of distractions, it is time to pack up the car, and yes, we still have the 98 Camry.  Don't be surprised when you see a post titled "I told you so" in which I describe how our car broke down in the middle of no where New Mexico...just kidding, hopefully!  Here we go, woohooo!!

Katie

Just running some numbers here.  By trip's end this year . . .

Ashlin will have spent 30 weeks of the past 36 months living in a tent. In that same time we will have . . .
Driven about 30,000 miles.
Spent about 800 hours in the car.
Spent about 4560 hours on trips.
Spent 800 hours packing-up or setting-up.
Hiked about 300 hours.
Eaten about 700 bars.
Given in to roughly 30 DQ blizzards.
Craved meat for about 2200 hours (maybe that one is just me).
Made around 120 fires.
Locked the keys in the car twice.
Made 30 visits to 20 National Parks.
Attended around 20 ranger programs.
Taken nearly 5000 pictures (again, maybe just me).
Taken about 10 horse rides.
Ingested 200 hiking treats.
Canoed for 12 days.
Been to 40 states and 1 Virgin Island (Europe is next year).
Eaten about 8 hot dogs.
Hydrated 80 freeze dried meals.
Called loved ones 60 times to Google something for us because we don't have Internet yet.
Used hand sanitizer 1768 times.
Played 318 hands of Uno.
Spent 211 quiet mornings at camp.
Spent about 4237 hours laughing, smiling, or dreaming.
Talked for about 2000 hours.
Played 211 games of Rock-Paper-Scissors to see who does the dishes.
Summited 23 mountains.
Been in 6 caves.
Filtered 300 gallons of water.
Drifted to sleep listening to a river, stream or ocean 167 times.

8 Days To Go!!!

This is a tough week for us, well, for Katie.  Ashlin and I are done- so while Katie is hard at work every day, Ash and I are trying to decide which pool visit.  Today was Piedmont.  Spectacular!  I did make Katie's lunch for her this morning . . .

Anyway, the hours are starting to pass quickly as we begin the process of preparing for our departure.  This might seem somewhat entertaining, but the to-do list we are currently scratching off has nothing to do with camping or National Parks.  It has to do with AT&T, a broken toilet and cat food.  Cat food.  It does appear as if Ashlin and I will have to towel off long enough to get the radiator flushed and the tires balanced.  Maybe tomorrow.


Alvin has decided to head to Bozeman rather than California.  Win-win choice really.  We sure will miss having him around but, honestly, I see that guy an awful lot for someone who lives in Zurich.  The Yosemite party is getting cranked up as we are on a daily search for camping reservations.  Everything in the valley has been booked for months so it will be a crap shoot to grab a site there.  6 adults and 2 kids so far.  Still room left on the train bound for a site yet to be determined!

Getting close to the last chance for all those mix CDs you're waiting to stick in the mail (Ashley).

Here are a few pics of a small bear we saw hiking with Glen and Sue at Tullulah Gorge in north Georgia.

Peace. D-

                                                       So close- but I was on a stairway.

                                  Looks so cute.  Poor thing fell down the step hill down into the gorge.

                                                       So close the flash made her blink.

                                        Ashlin ran and found a ranger to help the bear.  No kidding.

                                                      Posse on the stairs leading down.

                                                                 These two, huh?

                                                                     On the bridge!

Party In Yosemite!

Last night was very exciting.  Right before bed I checked my email to find that Alvin is coming from Zurich and wants to meet up July 15-20 in Bozeman.  Awesome, except we'll be in Yosemite - 1000 miles away with Rachel and Brian.  Knowing how Alvin loves a party I quickly get in touch with Jared and Ryann in San Francisco to see if they can do Yosemite for a couple of days.  Turns out they can!  So it looks like we might be adding Jared, Ryann and Alvin to what was already going to be a great time.  We're like the freakin pied pipers of Yosemite.

So, who else is coming?  Talk about a destination party.  Andy, V - Looking at you guys.  Bartleys?  Come on now people its the best of both worlds.  Lots of great peeps in a fantastic park.  Make it happen.

Peace. D-

Change of Plans Already?

I call my beautiful wife "the roller coaster" for good reason. She gets set on something and goes from not caring one bit to being on-board 100 and crazy percent. I truly love that about her but, man it can be tough keeping up sometimes.

For 2 months (which is a long time for her) she has been set on staying on the west coast this year.   I have been researching every possible backpacking, canoeing and camping trip in the pacific states to make this happen.  Last night she says she wants to head north from Mesa Verde through Colorado, Wyoming and into Montana.  I mean, I'm cool with that, we'd get to see everyone in Montana and Wyoming but damn. Roller Coaster.  So Montuckians, don't hold your breath, but it looks like we might be heading that way again!  This time on the way out to the Pacific.  Maybe.

Peace. D-

Search for Music

Now that (depending on who you ask) the car issue is settled it is time to move on to another pressing matter - NEW MUSIC!

We are yet again spending a great deal of time collecting music for the long hours in the car.  Ashley, this means this is your official request for another CD or three.  Please, anyone who has something that really strikes them right now, let us know!  Ash is entering a bit of a Bowie phase it seems so Ziggy Stardust faves might be in order. 

You may remember from last year that our speakers crapped out so we had to use an ipod dock for the next 47 days.  Looks like we'll even have new speakers this year.  Damn, the blue car is flossin'!

Let us know what you're listening to these days!  (Or make us a CD)

Peace. D-

Car Update and Tipping Day

I walked to work in the rain today with a huge, pie-eating grin on my face.  Though I did ingest an unhealthy amount of cherry pie last night (Thanks Rachel, Brian and Sadie!), the smile was for something other than dessert.  It was because I had a great talk with our new mechanic.

As most of you know we have some car issues.  Blue Car has been our road worthy warrior for the past three trips but the streak looked like it was coming to an end.  “The good car” has been in three different mechanic shops over the past seven days all of which were trying to locate the cause of a strange, rather unnerving grinding noise that accompanies some serious shaking.  Transmission?  Nope. Struts and shocks?  All okay.  Brakes?  Just fine.  Tires?  Oh dear.  You’ve been driving on that tire?

We just went from a $1500-2500 repair job (or having to sell my ’68 Mustang to buy a new car – but that’s a whole other story) to a $200 routine maintenance remedy!  After driving Blue Car with new tires I near tinkled myself I was so happy with the ride.  Plus we discovered some really trustworthy mechanics.  Game on!

In other news, this past Thursday was “Tipping Day” which means we will be gone on our trip more days that we have left before we leave.  We have 50 long days before we leave but we will be gone 54 glorious days.  If you don’t care about that you are in good company.  I am the only one who gets excited about Tipping Day.  WooooooHooooo!  Tipping Day!!!!!!!

Here are a few more pictures from last year. 

Peace. D-

                                                                 Luken lake Yosemite.

                                                        North Dome Yosemite. A 10 Mile hike!

                                                      Coming down from Sac peak Montana.

                                                    Hiking treat at the 12,000 ft summit!

                                                                   Buffalo Yellowstone.

                                                  Ashlin at Jackson Lake Grand Teton NP

                                                        One of maaaaaannny morning pics! Tetons.

                                                                  After hike cool down!

                                          Snack break near Long's Peak Rocky Mnt NP Colorado.

                                                                     Need more water . . .

                                                      Almost August and still hiking in snow!