Not much different from last year but for shedding about 15 lbs of pack weight this time!
My pack is packed, pills are in little tiny ziplocks, and I only have about 5 hours of work before I can leave! But fortunately, I don’t have an early morning flight tomorrow, so I will have a bit more time in the morning as well.
Though this is from last time’s pack, the only real difference is that the lovely Libby-made purple journal is full from 2013’s walk, so I don’t have that. And no sleeping bag, no big camera, no boots.
My son Tanner flew in from Indonesia Monday night, a few days earlier than expected, to spend a bit of time with me before I go, though his real reason for coming to Colorado for three weeks is to be with a very sick relative. A wonderful surprise for me, and I’ll leave tomorrow a bit more cheery for having had him around yesterday and today.
Needless to say I am very excited to finally be off. To leave my loaded, messy desk, my constantly ringing cell phone, and my endless list of e-mails. Perhaps by Friday, when I begin the walk, I will be fully prepared for my new adventure, and I’m looking forward to time in total quiet, but for the wind, the birds, the waves of the North Atlantic coast
But now, those little last minute things still sit on my bed and on the blanket trunk. And they look like this:
Last minute items for the big pack
So I will go now to re-sort and find a sort of final place for all. Then pay the last of the bills and do a few more business things. So Goodnight, Moon . . . I’ll be back here when I get to Irun on Friday night.
A basket of items to wear and for my day pack
Woodswoman Walking 
Oh how exciting! Safe travels and Buen Camino!! Can’t wait to hear your reports from the road. 🙂
Did you post your packing list by chance.
Nope . . . I could do most of it, but not all of it . . . just too much left to do. I can do it “later” for sure. Basically 3 shirts, 2 pants, 3 underwear, 2 bras, 1 lightweight vest that turns into a neck pillow at night, 1 lightweight pullover (VERY lightweight but warm), 1 zippered lightweight top. One ThermaLite sleep sack. Two lightweight whistles. One pair of Trail runners (keens), 1 pair of Teva hiking sandals, 3 pair of 1000 Mile Fusion Socks. HIking poles in art tube to check in luggage, various foot pads for my foot bones and a slight hammer toe.
Now for the heavier things . . . a MacAir laptop for my writing, iPhone, iPod and itinerant cords. tweezers, a bit of liquid soap for hair, body and laundry. A Tilly hat. water bottle top and tube (turns any water bottle into a Camelback/Platypus type thing without the big rubber bladder), Lumix Panasonic small small digital camera. A Sherpani pouch I carry everywhere (holds passport, ATM card, cash, small journal and a pen.) Oh, and my pills (BASIC supplements and two prescription pills) packed into little jewelry sized zip-lock bags rather than those weekly plastic boxes.
Tiny hairbrush, small soap sewn into a half-washcloth for the shower. Toothbrush (foldable) and 2 small tubes of toothpaste.
I think that’s all I can manage to remember right now . . . My goal was 20-22 lbs because with the laptop, etc. I have to accept another 5 lbs in addition to the clothes, etc. So right now, my pack is at 15 lbs without the computer stuff. I should be GREAT. Last time, I began with 35 lbs!!! Sent 8 lbs home in Pamplona, but it was still ridiculous!
I look forward to your posts and hearing all about your wonderful adventures. I do read every word – all the best!
Deb
Yay. You go, girl!
Safe travels,Joannah. You will be in my thoughts.
Wishing you all the best. I couldn’t help but thinking as I read your post how so many of us long for the quiet and lack of technology that a walk on the Camino allows, but we don’t create that life at home? Could we? Something I’m going to think about while you’re walking. Be safe. Have fun.
Well, Mary, as you know, I am taking my little laptop so I can write, but at least I don’t have to be checking e-mail all the time, etc. And I agree . . . I have no idea why we don’t create that life at home. Could we? I think so . . . but somehow we can’t cut the ties. That is one of the reasons my mind keeps roaming toward other places, where I could start fresh (with Neil, of course) . . . no spinning plates, no commitments but the ones to myself and my kids and Neil. I hope we can talk when I return!
Have a good flight – can’t wait to see how this one goes for you!
Good luck Joannah…we’ll be thinking of you!
Thanks, Camy! Say hello to John. We haven’t seen the two of you since Sophie’s party in 2013 (?)!
Buen Suerte Amiga!
I’m from Southern Oregon and happened to find your blog. I finished the CF on June 6 (5 weeks) and looking forward to your blog of a different route. These walks draw me in me just as they do you. I’m thinking of this route your doing or the Portuguese route in May 2017. Safe journey and Bueno Camino.
Shirleyraeonherway
Bill and I will be following your trip and vicariously experiencing your journey, Joannah. Safe travels!
Save travels, looking forward to your blog.
Joannah have a safe walk! We look forward to hearing from you soon. May god bless you with good weather and a safe journey.
Sent from my iPhone
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We will be “watching” ( i.e.reading)… Happy Travels!