Packed.
For the next 3 1/2 months.
55 lbs. of stuff.
Everything I put in my bag(s) has to serve multi-purposes to justify carrying it around Europe. . . on my back.
I spent the last month getting projects done at work.
Fixing up the townhouse. Dealing with insurance and other bureaucracy.
Spending time with my family. Doing training hikes. Buying this or that.
Everything is done in anticipation of heading out for the Grand Adventure.
Sometimes thinking about the trip is as good as actually going on the trip. I can revel in all the things I am going to do or see without having to deal with all of the effort needed to accomplish them. Although some would argue that a trip without the struggle is no trip at all. It’s like kissing through a screen door. Close, but nothing like the real thing.
This particular effort is over 2 years in the making. That is a lot of time to think about things. Yet, I am still sweating the details. Do I have the right backpack? Do I need a foldable bowl? What type of socks should I bring? How much weight can I reasonably expect to carry? Where am I going in October?
All of the travel guidance available basically says the same thing.
“Don’t worry. Just go.”
I boarded the train to DC this morning. I catch the plane from Dulles this afternoon and will arrive in Portugal tomorrow morning.
And here we go.
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