Almost ready...

So close to being done. I only need my camera and chargers but some of those are going into my bounce box. Super happy being under 40lbs, expected it to read 50 or so! Heavy is different when it's a backpack full of life. I guess I was most surprised about the bear can...food is heavy! I'm carrying about 6 days worth give or take and that's really all that can fit. I'm so excited to leave early Monday morning to hit my warm-up location on the AT. Planning 46.3 miles in almost 4 days, hoping my legs are up to their first round of challenges! Wish me luck.😊👍

My tiny house

It might seem crazy living in this for 2 months, but it's only the bedroom. I have the forest, mountains, and trail to call the rest of my house!⛰❤️😊🌳🎒 #bigagnesmtnglotent

Mmmmmm

How I wish you could smell what I've been smelling in this house! I have made and dehydrated many meals for my trip this last week but these past several days working on dinner dishes has been heavenly. It all started with a mango curry rice dish, then onto a sweet potato pecan casserole, and now I'm working on a chipotle bean dip. Each has to dehydrated for about 20 hours, maybe a little more. It sure is hard to not be hungry when you smell this kind of deliciousness for days at a time. The recipe's I am cooking up have come from the book "LIPSMAKIN' VEGETARIAN BACKPACKIN'"by Christine and Tim Conners. They also have the same kind of book for meat eaters;) I highly recommend checking it out if your going to be doing any activities that require bringing days of food with you, especially if you can't have a cooler. am loving these recipes and I can't wait to see how this all works out on the trail. Home cooked always is better than store bought and I do believe it's a money saver, although it does take a lot of time and preparation. Nonetheless, I prefer to know what's in all of my food! Back to my blackberry granola...so much to do!!

AT map

Trail food, getting ready!

I sure am glad that I did my homework and at least have an idea of what needs to happen if I want to live on the trial. I have been planning this trip for months but am especially focused on food right now. I need everything ready to place in my shipping boxes for re-ups along the way in the next week (I might get lucky and have a few days of work before hitting the first leg in PA).  I have been dehydrating fruit, veggies, beans, tomato sauces, salsa, and prepared dinners like coconut curry rice with mangos and pineapple, yum! My machine has basically been running for days now. I have organized, mixed, and bagged up quite a few breakfast dishes, lunches, and snacks. I have planned a total of 75 individual breakfast's, lunches, and dinner's. This doesn't include my snacks. The plan is to fit 7 maybe 8 days of food in my bear canister, that way my re-up boxes can be scattered a little further apart and I can utilize stores or pizza shops along the way if I find myself in need. Not to mention having a lighter pack longer...food will definitely be where the weight is! It's kinda crazy how much you need to eat to be out there walking with 50lbs or so on your back. I guess it's something I will get used to and see for myself once I'm out there. Hard to imagine eating as much as is suggested, but I am also aware of what hard work backpacking is...especially in the mountains! Excited to be challenged!!