It was the night before the flight

When I worked at a scouting summer camp, the staff sang Scouting Eve to the campers on their first night. Over the past few days I have found myself repeating the final lines.

“Silently each scout must ask,…
Have I done and have I dared
Everything to be prepared.”
- Scouting Vesper

A hydra of tasks

Things have been very hectic for me these last few days. I left my job on good terms the second week of April. However, this left me less than two weeks to move all my belongings 6 hours away, finalize my gear, and spend time with family and friends. I also decided to dedicate two days of volunteering at the AT in that tight deadline.

It’s crazy to think I’ve been bored the last few weeks working at my desk job. I spent 4 whole days moving. I had to throw away my mattress to avoid 2 more days. But once unpacked, I started working on the long list of very, very serious things that absolutely need to be done before leaving for San Diego on Tuesday.

This list included the return of my Internet modem. To use the self-checkout at Walmart at 6 in the morning to use the $50 in dimes and nickels I had lying around. To label all my spare gear with sticky notes so my mom can send me the right thing if I ask for it. To compare my team to the four different lists I created.

Little by little, I discovered that after each item deleted from the board, a new task replaced it. It was surreal and the days blended together because of it. Every night I went to sleep with 20 tasks on the board; I would wake up doing nothing but what was on the board, do about 10 tasks, and go to bed with 20 tasks on the board. The only thing that saved me was that each subsequent item was easier and less important. Otherwise, he would still be fighting that hydra.

However, I plan to drive 2,600 miles.

Am I excited? Highly strung? Scared?

Good or bad, I haven’t had time to process it all. Flights tomorrow, but tomorrow seems years away. If I had to put a name to how I feel in general, I would call it calm.

I checked my packing list twice and then twice more. I just got out of that wilderness first aid class and feel like I can definitely reset a broken leg with no problem. I have all the sheriff and game warden numbers, all the post offices listed, written down and saved.

However, hints of fear appear as I try to fall asleep. What if the desert is hotter than I can stand? What happens if there is a long dry period with low snow levels? And if …?

But I know I will be fine, I will adapt to the challenges as they come. All in all, I am excited for this adventure. And I probably won’t get much sleep tonight.

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!

For more information, visit the About page of this site.