A week to go!

Gearing up for takeoff on Virgin Air in a week!

Tick-tock, tick, tock! When we started planning all this last winter, it seemed so far off it was a “Neverland” sort of dream, but here we are now, a week away from departure. Are we ready? In some things, yes; in others - not quite.

Physically, it’s feeling pretty good. Joan & I have developed a simple & easy to understand “check-in” code to ascertain how each of us feel at any time along the trail.  One of us will periodically ask the other “What’s your color?” and the answers can range from “Red” to “Yellow” to “Green”. In answering, one considers not only how you feel physically – aches, sores, tiredness, weakness – but also mentally. How do you feel about what’s remaining ahead (“God, I know that big hill is about 2 miles ahead. I’ll never get up it the way I feel now.’) but also about your mental state. It’s influenced by your worldview in general and self-confidence but also by letting yourself “go” and being part of the world around you.

 “Sparkles’ help a lot in this regard. Here is one from our 11 mile walk around Kennebunk down the Mousam River to Mother’s Beach and then along the beautiful beaches up to Kennebunk Lower Village (thank you, Helen & Bonnie at H & B Provisions for the rest, tea and great conversation!) and after a short summer rain, back to Kennebunk. Somewhere in the Marx Trust land east of Rt. 9 we came across this beautiful ladyslipper flower, nestled down beside the trail and dappled with sunlight falling through the maple and ash trees arching overhead.  They are not a common sight but so beautiful and fragile.

So right now we’re both feeling “Green” about our trip. A last minute trip to REI in Reading last Saturday before going to a Red Sox game gave us a chance to stock up on things like Cliff Energy Tabs and Darn Tough hiking socks. Joan has new Merrill hiking boots (her last pair were worn off-kilter from 500 miles of walking with a badly sprung knee – replaced last winter) and says they feel wonderful. I’m still wearing the Keen boots I bought last year before doing the Cotswold Way- best boots I’ve ever had! Nobody has to “break in” boots any more, but those who can remember the process from wearing the old leather boots can sure say “thank you” that’s all gone!