Countdown closing in!

Got truck checked out, oil change, maintenance etc.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) last day at assisted-living job before trip.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) find someone to look in on Pita cat later this week.

Thursday, vet draws Coggins, shots, health certificate for mule travel.

New plan for test ride... this weekend. New contacts, several, for Saturday night camp spot. Sunday confirmed. Need to re-confirm Friday host.

Tomorrow late afternoon/evening, Thursday night: pack for test ride.

My gear/tack budget is pretty much busted. I've bought everything I'm going to. All I'm missing is warm sleeping bag; waterproof hat; camp stove; mule breast collar.

--Put a call out for tiny warm slpg bag, have some offers will go see. I do have a sleeping bag, and will combine it with the silk liner and space blankets to make do if I must. It's huge, and not very warm, but only weighs 4 lbs., not too bad.

--I have a hat. It works fine as long as there's no rain. It'll be fine under a poncho hood. I have a rain poncho.

--I'd love a zip wood stove, but they cost too much and I don't have time to order one now anyway. If I were handier I suppose I'd make one. I'll weigh my little propane stove, and if stove+fuel doesn't go over wieght, I'll use that until I find a better solution. If it's too heavy, I won't bring one (Oh, no! No coffee?!! *gasp*).

--The saddle fits well enough that I think Butch can do without a breast collar. Maybe no britchen either.

Monday, take truck & trailer in to diagnose and fix wiring problem (Prodigy system shorting).

Tuesday/Wednesday, take Pita cat to Jack's in Wickenburg and camp over to finish the britchen.

Sometime next week, Butch gets his first set of travel shoes. Might be borium-coated.

Every day between now and leaving: Pack up house. Proofread (Working on it, Dad!). Finish red tape busywork, including the dreaded taxes.

RIDE.