“Photo Booth"

Just moments before the hardest goodbye at Security, where I lost it.

On the Way

Heading for the airport.  Yes, a goofy photo, but consider who was taking the photo (Jim/Dad).  :-p

P.S.  Finished the book; I knew I wouldn't fall asleep at a reasonable hour.

Traveling Duck

Almost forgot--I found a solution for poor Duck.  It's a small mesh bag from a bear bell.  It has a small magnet in the bottom (meant to hold the bell clapper still when not in use), which Duck sticks to nicely.  So even if the drawstring loosens, he'll be safe and secure.  Okay, it's not clear, but he can breathe and see just fine through the mesh, and travel on the outside with the rest of us.  Lucky Duck!

Last Preparations

Last day of work today.  My lovely coworkers are sending me off with well wishes and lots of positive energy.  Yay Team Briargate!

My boots have been re-waxed (thanks, honey).  My poles are packed in bubble wrap inside a small duffel for check-in tomorrow.  I've separated out items to be used while traveling into a small (rolls into its own lightweight 6-inch ball when not in use) backpack, checked in online, and printed out my boarding passes.  It is all oh-so-real now.  I can hardly believe that I will be leaving for such a great adventure in less than 24 hours...

...and foolish, greedy me--I'm trying to finish one more book before I go.  But I'm not sure I'd be sleeping that well anyway.

Tomorrow--to make it all the more real--I begin the "Journey" posts.  They will probably look different.  The Blogger app doesn't add the line space between paragraphs; any photos wind up at the end; and if there's a way to add captions, I haven't found it.  Jim has agreed to clean up posts as he has the time to go in and edit from the home computer end.  But hopefully the content will make up for less-than page layout.  I'll do my best to relate our experiences without boring anyone to sleep.  :-)

Until tomorrow!

More From Jerri (Dated 9/8)

I am not having any particular goodbyes as everybody in my family seems to be in transition right now.  However, after a string of 9 days straight working in the ED, we are having a potluck dinner before I leave, "all-American" food as I won't be having any for a while.  I also brought my final backpack into the hospital to weigh, with everything I could possibly want plus some of Beth's stuff, and it was only 16 pounds. If I am willing to forgo any entertainment (knitting and books), I could get away with about 12 pounds, which seems pretty amazing.  Mary reports that Beth made us scallop luggage tags (the scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino).  I even convinced a reluctant Louisa to keep up my Project Life while I am gone.  So, nothing left to do except try to get some last comfortable sleep!

Saying Goodbye

It's been a long week of goodbyes as I part from those I won't see again until I return from the Camino.  I will miss my family, friends, and coworkers; the good news is that I get to come home and see them all again.

Yesterday, a circle of friends--and fellow avid readers--gave me a card full of well wishes...and a gift card for Barnes & Noble.  They couldn't stand the thought of me not reading for six weeks.  Now I can download some reading material that I can read from my Nook app during layovers, etc.  Thank you, ladies!  (I also have the app for the wonderful Pikes Peak Library District, which allows me to download audio and e-books.  Yay, PPLD!)

 

Debbi and Kelley: sorry I missed saying goodbye to you this afternoon.  I really wanted to say, "Thank you!"

The hardest goodbye is yet to come, but that's a post for another day.

Traveling Companions

Paddington has taken several hikes with me and Jim.  I'm satisfied that he is securely attached to my backpack.

 

 

Duck, on the other hand, has been riding in a zippered pocket on the waistband of my pack.  The race is on to find a small, clear container--or some other solution--that will allow Duck to hang off the pack and enjoy the view, too.

By the way, I really should come up with a name for Duck.  Any suggestions?