Up On Cripple Creek

Tom is on CRUTCHES!!!!
(Ed. note---as of 5/28, he's walking without them, just in time for graduation)
He hurt his knee playing "ultimate frisbee" and it swelled up so much that you couldn't tell there is a knee in there.

Doctor says there's a 30% chance it will heal in time for the trip. He's undergoing pretty intense physical therapy, so we'll see. Meanwhile we are moving forward with the planning.

We met with Josh and Joe to go over final packing lists and discuss menu selections for meals. The guys are going to try some dehydrated meals to see what they like, then we'll make the final purchases a few days before we leave.

We have all the major equipment items, just have to pick up some miscellaneous things....like more water bottles...they tell you to carry at least 4 litres of water when you start out every day. As those who have visited recently know, this stuff has taken over most of the family room, it will be amazing to see if it all can actually fit in two packs!

Walk, Don't Run

We did some real hiking in Patapsco State Park today...about two and a half miles...on the trails, up and down, rocks, stream-crossings, a little mud. Not at all like walking on a roadway or thru the mall. Everybody carried their packs too, although I'm still practicing at the lower level with a day pack.

In addition to the exercise and the fresh air, we got an important lesson out of our trek today. Tom and Josh, being faster, tend to get ahead of Joe and I. Eventually they stop and wait for us, but by the time we catch up, they have had a nice litltle rest and are ready to blast off again. After a couple cycles of this...with no rest for the weary...we have decided that from now on, the old, slow guys will lead and set the pace.