whirlwind summary

Part of the reason I started this blog was to provide others who come after me with what I couldn't find: a day-by-day account of what it's like for a novice to prepare for a long solo ride. Now I find myself doing the same thing I suspect others have done; as I get close to leaving, so much to do, so little time, that I don't write!

So, very brief summary:

There's lots of boring business to take care of. Early truck registration. Suspending active vehicle insurance. Balancing bank accounts. Paying bills in advance. Filing taxes. Arranging to forward mail. Picking up prescribed Epi-pen. Transferring magazine subscriptions.

Then there's mule business: Having vet come pull blood for Coggins and health certificate to travel out of state. Spring shots, earlier than usual because of upcoming trip, extra shots for extra exposure. Getting bute & banamine for first-aid kit. Scheduling farrier. Researching boots again, debating reordering Easyboot Epics. Cleaning, oiling tack. Getting a new bit (his cheap one got bent). Washing blanket.

Cat business: Trimming her claws. Borrowing large carrier. Driving 4 1/2 hours to deliver Pitagirl to the angel who offered to take her while I'm gone, and who I know beyond a shadow of a doubt will take wonderful care of her in a home where I know she'll be happy. (Thank you Jack!)

I'm paying a few months' rent to hold on to my little house trailer at the stable. Without a cat, however, mice move in. Also, there is the remote chance I will be out on the road far longer than anticipated. So I am packing up all my wordly possessions and storing them in my landcouple's storage trailers (Thank you Jan and Chris!). Packing is VERY time-consuming. And I'll have to clean the place when I'm done.

Then there's packing for the big ride, which entails not only lots and lots and lots of decision-making, but scouring online deals, thriftshops, and regular shopping as well: sleeping bag, windbreaker/rain gear, silk longjohns, etc etc.

And still good light rope, easyboots(?), a few other odds & ends....

There's unexpected things that come up. The trailer wiring shorted out again, had to take it in. I need to buy a spare also, even if I don't have a jack. The two front trailer tires are too iffy to travel without a spare.

Huge late winter storm yesterday and today. High winds, cold rain, sleet, snow, hail. Farrier cancelled. Trip to Wickenburg to bring cat cancelled. (Practice ride had already been cancelled, had hoped to replace it with trip to deliver Pita. Highway was closed.) No riding. (Butch has shed his winter coat - I blanketed him!)

There's route planning. Hours and hours of pouring over maps, terrain, milaeage between towns, etc...

And finally, there's saying goodbyes to friends, and daily calls to family before the big launch. Other than when I'm alone with Butch, it's the only time I allow myself to let it sink in that I'm actually doing this. No words to describe...