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March 30, 2004

From chaos to commitment..

Mike (Dad) and Ruth left Poughkeepsie, New York, at about 9:30am this morning squished in a Ford Crown Victoria with my grandparents, Jim and Jeanne (my mother's and Ruth's parents). Grandpa Jim was in the driver's seat, piloting, as usual.

Having them here and watching them pack was amusing.

First, there is the sheer quantity of stuff they had to sift through. Dad came upstairs last night to show off his packed pack - everyone was duly impressed, until Chris figured out it weighed 51 pounds. Back downstairs they went, and after much weighing and discussion, they managed to free up a little more than 10 pounds worth of stuff; and then Dad realized he'd just blatantly left out other things, so some was added back. And that was just with Dad's.. :-)

We managed to rough out the next few weeks. Dad and Ruth mailed the first two boxes already, which should see them through Georgia and through the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina (Hot Springs, NC, in 3-4 weeks). The next hop after that will be to Damascus, VA, about 6 weeks from now.

Mind you, this is all speculation until we see how this first week goes! [crack that whip!]

Resources:

Posted by erin . Tuesday, 30 Mar 2004 . 05:09 PM, MST .

Comments

  1. Erin,
    Just curious - did your Dad ever find a suitable pillow for the Trail? Wish I could have witnessed the last minute flurry of preparations! LOL. Thanks so much for this site. It helps to know how they're doing.
    Bonnie

    Posted by Bonnie . Tuesday, 30 Mar 2004 . 11:21 PM, MST . #

  2. You know, I remember them talking about the pillow thing, but I've no idea what they actually decided on. I think they did find a "camp pillow" thing at the store - something like this. I don't think I saw that in any of the stuff left here.

    I'll ask and let you know. #58;-)

    Posted by Erin . Tuesday, 30 Mar 2004 . 11:43 PM, MST . #

  3. WOW! it's here! Mr Mike and Aunt Ruth, we are soooooo excited for you! Ben and i were discussing what an awesome undertaing this is, and how when you are done, what an AMAZING accomplishment it will be, and even if you don't go all the way, heck, who cares, you guys still ROCK! best of luck and comfy shoes again are wished you way....p.s. is shadow going or staying?

    Posted by noel . Wednesday, 31 Mar 2004 . 02:28 PM, MST . #

  4. Shadow is staying in Maine. He'll be a bit lonely (but well cared for) until Wally gets home from school at the end of April.

    Posted by Erin . Wednesday, 31 Mar 2004 . 02:41 PM, MST . #

  5. Way cool!
    Go Dad and Aunt Ruth!
    Erin -- if you think about it give us a heads up when they are going to hit the WV/MD section and Marek and I can always drive up and catch them with any needed supplies (candy bars :) )

    Posted by Court . Wednesday, 31 Mar 2004 . 02:56 PM, MST . #

  6. Bonnie -

    I was right, Dad does have the pillow I mentioned.

    Posted by Erin . Thursday, 1 Apr 2004 . 07:48 PM, MST . #