I didn't explain the first post in this new adventure, but it sure is evocative of some early excitement. After leaving Coupeville on May 14th, having loaded all our belongings in a trailer to be shipped to Wisconsin, we enjoyed a relaxing night in Queen Anne, Seattle with good friends. As we began loading our luggage into the car to head to the airport, we noticed that we were missing the rear driver's side window. Not long after, we realized my backpack with all my gear for the Appalachian Trail was also gone. Yes, it was a rookie mistake to leave belongings in the car, but after loading our life's possessions for the move, we were a tad lazy. Only the one bag was stolen and aside from things useful in the woods, nothing of value was taken. Over the past two weeks we have replaced (and upgraded) many of the items that walked and we are prepared (or so we think) to hit the trail tomorrow.
Moving beyond the material setback, we made it to Portland, rented a car, and drove to Corvallis for four days with my dad's mother and siblings. We ate incredibly well, slept lots, enjoyed good company, and realized we wished we had lots more time. Saturday morning we loaded all 7 bags back in the car and headed to Portland for a party with many of our local and college friends. It was fabulous to see all and the remaining three days in PDX quickly filled with good food, great wine, and lots of wonderful folks. Once again, time was short, and it was time to load our 8 bags into the car for the airport (the replacement hiking gear was accumulating). From Portland, we flew to Baltimore for a night at my parents. We reacquainted ourselves with the sheep and cursed the (too) many guinea fowl. The next day it was time to head to Vermont for the semi-annual Aldrich party at the family home. We have been up here since Thursday and have alternated between socialising and trail meal planning and packaging.
You probably noticed in the first picture that we have been joined on our grand adventure by a fellow traveler. His name is Willie. He is in fact a Woolly Mammoth. He plans to accompany us on our travels for the foreseeable future. In future posts we might learn a bit about Wille's life.
Moving beyond the material setback, we made it to Portland, rented a car, and drove to Corvallis for four days with my dad's mother and siblings. We ate incredibly well, slept lots, enjoyed good company, and realized we wished we had lots more time. Saturday morning we loaded all 7 bags back in the car and headed to Portland for a party with many of our local and college friends. It was fabulous to see all and the remaining three days in PDX quickly filled with good food, great wine, and lots of wonderful folks. Once again, time was short, and it was time to load our 8 bags into the car for the airport (the replacement hiking gear was accumulating). From Portland, we flew to Baltimore for a night at my parents. We reacquainted ourselves with the sheep and cursed the (too) many guinea fowl. The next day it was time to head to Vermont for the semi-annual Aldrich party at the family home. We have been up here since Thursday and have alternated between socialising and trail meal planning and packaging.
You probably noticed in the first picture that we have been joined on our grand adventure by a fellow traveler. His name is Willie. He is in fact a Woolly Mammoth. He plans to accompany us on our travels for the foreseeable future. In future posts we might learn a bit about Wille's life.
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