Coreyography

Gearrrrred up

I've been having a wonderful time the past two weeks visiting with friends and loved ones.  Several heartfelt goodbyes on my Farewell Jaunt '07 have solidified for me that it is going to be hard to leave and hard to be gone for as long as I plan. 

I have been making great strides in getting gear purchased - please admire the Corey's-eye-view of my new shoes (one and only pair I'll be wearing for the foreseeable future).  Despite several long walks and at least one short jaunt every day, no blisters!  Auspicious.

I am equally pleased with my new backpack (one and only piece of luggage).  I opted for a travel (as opposed to camping) pack and it is fantastic!  Tons of compartments and plenty of room whilst remaining compact and lightweight.

I've also purchased all my clothes (one pair of pants, one skirt, three short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve shirt) which I spent a long time deliberating about because I wanted everything to coordinate with each other AND with my shoes.  I was kicking myself for not getting the dern black shoes!  All turned out quite well.

My daypack and I are having some adjustment issues with one another - I'll be going back to REI to check on other candidates when I head back to Raleigh tomorrow.  Tomorrow I will also deal with banking issues and perhaps selling my car as well.  I will be making offerings to the Carmax Gods tonight in hopes of big money, no whammies in that department. 

This trip, even though not yet officially underway, has already been a great experience.  It has been really fantastic to be able to spend time with old and new friends and my family.  I highly recommend retirement. 

A Week at the Beach

Today I am wrapping up a glorious week spent with my Mom and friends at Holden Beach.  My move and the sale of my house went through last Tuesday (yee haw!) and I am in full gear-purchasing, plan-making logistics mode for the trip.  Over the next two weeks I am making a mini-tour of the mid Atlantic USA visiting friends before selling my car and heading to Northern California to visit my Dad and various Roots the week of April 16.  The most exciting development is that I now have my ticket to Thailand and will arrive in Bangkok 11:05 PM on Monday April 23.  I will post more about my gear as I acquire stuff.  First up: shoes!  I am in the market for a sport sandal (hiking boot in sandal form?) and I need to start breaking these in ASAP, which means daily walks for me.  Walks will also help me start getting in shape - several weeks of eating out during my move capped off by a week at the beach (always hedonistic in terms of food and drink) have left me feeling a bit sluggish.  Nothing two years on the road with a backpack can't remedy!