Two more weeks, y’all! Today is my last day at work – a day that felt like it would never come. Now it feels like its come all too quickly. When I started this job 6 months ago, I was pretty confident I’d only be sticking around long enough to save and prepare for this adventure. I was committed to not getting attached and to trying to not take it too seriously, but you know how that goes.. 6 months later and I’m once again feeling like I’m saying goodbye to family. The TJ’s team has shown me an overwhelming amount of love and support these past few weeks, and for that I am forever grateful.
This week, I’ll be focused on cramming in as much on-trail training as I can manage, whilst juggling other last minute preparations here at home. I’m hoping to get at least one or two overnight hikes in here in New Mexico, but the weather has taken an unexpected turn recently – from high 70s and sunshine last week to low 40s and snow all weekend. I can only hope for some rapid warming and thawing so I can get some longer days in at elevation this week. But then again, I am preparing for a 5 month journey that will require plenty of serious snow-travel and cold nights anyway, so a little bit of snow and cold right now surely can’t be the worst thing.
I’m also planning to wrap up more domestic affairs, like straightening out finances, canceling any lingering subscriptions, making lists of important info and contact sheets for loved ones, etc. Additionally, I’ll be putting together two fairly small resupply packages to mail out before I hit the road. One box will be shipped off to Warner Springs as a sort of just-in-case, as I’m hesitant to believe I can find much gluten-free/affordable food to eat in Julian. (perhaps a story for another day) The second box will go to Paradise Valley Cafe, where I’ll be needing my snow-travel gear (PPE like an ice axe and microspikes) and a couple days worth of food for my journey up and over San Jacinto, which has been getting plenty of snow this season.
Lastly, I’m just going to spending as much time with my two cats as I can. It’s going to be a long summer for both of them and I can’t help but worry about how much we’ll miss each other. While I’m confident they’ll get the best care possible while I’m gone, it’s still never easy saying goodbye and this will, by far, be the longest goodbye we’ve ever had in the almost 9 years we’ve lived together. I’ll be thinking of them everyday. I wonder if a cat’s mind could even grasp the concept of what I’ll be attempting when I leave..
Myles From Nowhere 