I spent the day with my friend, Jason, on what was intended to be a hike to prepare for the upcoming trek.  What we did instead was drive around in his car, eat biscuits and gravy, and catch up on email.  And for about half an hour I bought hiking gear at EMS in Clarendon.

I'm experimenting with this blog, recognizing that I am not the most disciplined or interesting of writers.  But for those of you who love me and, thus, overlook such shortcomings, here is a way to keep tabs on my whereabouts and well being.  I won't write that much until I'm officially up and running on the trip, which starts in 11 days. Until then....