Ebb and Flow

I do not know if the bear spray is a joke or not.. I like it though , I can't wait to get myself a can. I am really glad I am embarking on this adventure with such a rational, practical , educated female companion, because I would never think of these things myself, like hiding food in the trees.. But that's why we make a good team me and the Randi Panties. 

Today I made a reservation at the lovely Eco-friendly  hostel in Portland, Oregon, Found us a cooler for yummy fresh goodies, went to the library ! I got four different books on tape plus a few books to read , some Salinger, and Kerouac , this week is just about getting it all in car! 

I've been hearing people talk about the "ebb and flow of life" quite a bit lately, and I wasn't quite sure what it meant so today I looked it up ; the cool thing that stuck out was how it referred to the inward and outward movement of ocean tides . That is something I watch all day long , it never gets old. The thing is that is life ! It's back and forth up and down here and there but it's never the same, the challenge is flowing with it.  

AND on a final note ; IF we do run into Yogi the bear, Do you think he'd dig some morning sun salutations ?

Bearspray the Musical

So I went home to Michigan for a weekend visit and got lots of goodies for the trip. I talked to my Dad a lot about it and he gave me lots of tips for the road (He drove out to Wyoming and Montana a few years ago.) He gave me a bear net so I can hide all of out food and other smelly things up in a tree. He kind of freaked me out a little about the whole bear thing. Apparently they will go after deodorant, food, whatever, AND if they are really provoked they can get inside your car and eat you. So lets just say I'm good and aware now, and will watch out for Yogi in the woods. My Dad also gave me a water filter, backpacking stove, and all the kitchen supplies we will need if we get to backpack down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I also got my backpack and sleeping bags, and tent, so I think we are all set for the outdoor stuff. Oh, other than the Bear spray my Dad wants me to get before we are in Yellowstone (couldn't take that back on the plane).

With only a week left to prepare, our page long to do list is getting smaller. It is going to be hard to concentrate on it this weekend because it is going to be 85 and I plan on being outside the entire time. The last big thing we have to worry about is preparing to eat on the road. We want to only eat out once a day at the most, so we will be doing lots of shopping before we go.

A lot of people have been asking about where exactly we are going on our trip, so here is a link to google maps with the bulk of our route planned out. Each flagged city/park is where we plan to stay at least overnight. We are going to be staying with friends (thank you!!) in a few places, camping in the parks, and motel-ing it for the rest. We still aren't sure about the last leg of our trip, as far as where to stop when we come back to NYC from Sante Fe. The whole trip is going to be three weeks, from May 2nd-22nd.

I found out this weekend that we have to apply for a permit to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They don't want too many people on the trails and the camp sites at any given time, so they limit the number of permits they give out. Who knew so many people wanted to hike to the bottom. I don't remember the exact number but something like only 1/4 or 1/3 of the people who apply get approved. I sent in the application on Monday and it takes three weeks for them to respond, so hopefully we will hear back right before we leave. If they are full, we will hike as much as we can, but just aren't allowed to stay overnight. Cross your fingers!!

9 to fun

Randi's in NYC working on maps, and directions while she's at work.

Sam's in MA researching, and saving up dollar bills in a paper envelope.

AND best of all Sam's MOM is on a mission to create the best fun bag ever. 

 (MORE shall be revealed )

"All My Nana's" weekend

Randi came to visit me in the Berkshires this weekend, met the NANA (she rules) , saw my show: "All my son's", tore down the set, napped, time traveled to eat cheesecake in the 30's, ate sushi, steak, and my homemade granola, watched Martha, hiked in the rain, and planned for our;

 CROSS COUNTRY TRIP COMING UP MAY 2nd thru the 23rd !

We will be starting in NYC, driving thru Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, Nevada, ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, rest TBD. The one's in cap's we plan to spent massive amounts of time in (aka more than a day) and fall in love with the land and hopefully end up someday . .