Well, I can’t really say it’s procrastination, but this trip just keeps getting pushed back. Today was slated to be the day of departure, but a few minor setbacks came up to change that. For one, I just wasn’t ready. I hadn’t packed completely before this morning, and when I made my first attempt, it was painfully obvious that I still had some work to do in getting everything together and figuring out what exactly I’m bringing. There was no chance of everything fitting in my bags. On top of that, my destination for the first night, my friend Adam’s house, would not be occupied until around 10 at night. That means I would have either a lot of dead time sitting on their porch for hours, or I would be biking down some curvy rural roads in the dark. It wasn’t meant to be.

Now, just into the morning hours, I feel slightly more ready to leave. I have packed my bags, but I feel I still need to ditch some weight. These things are monstrously heavy. I just took a ride around the block, and it was strenuous. My first thought was, ‘this is ridiculous.’ It’s definitely a heavier load than last trip. Now the fun of guessing what I won’t need in a week begins.

I haven’t left home, but the adventure has already begun. I think I’m finally starting to feel the excitement about this upcoming journey. The last month has transformed into a head-down, drill-turning construction job. Focus was lost on the upcoming trip as trying to get ready for the upcoming trip took center stage. Now that I’m just about ready, I can return to thinking about the adventure, the exploration, the mountains and the water and the trees that await. Not to mention the friendly people.

So my clothes are clean, my bags mostly packed, I’ve cut my hair and trimmed my beard, and planned a route for the next few days. What comes next is all to be discovered when I get there. Now it’s time to get some rest for what hopefully will be the official day one of the trip.