The First Maildrop

Our first maildrop containing food is in the mail on its way to Hiawasee GA, where we will meet it at the Budget Inn.  All of the boxes have now been packed, taped shut, and mailing labels applied.
There is now a schedule page which is our best guess starting out as to our timing.  Undoubtedly this will change.  We have 19 maildrop packages containing various foods being sent to us during the next six months.  To coordinate timing with our support team back home we will be posting the next few upcoming maildrops in a post such as this:

Upcoming maildrops:

(Box #2 Send by 3/25)
Mark Deebel / Kristie Collins
C/O The Hike Inn
3204 Fontana Rd
Fontana Dam NC 28733
Please hold for AT Hiker
ETA: 4/4/2013

(Box #3 Send by 4/4)
Mark Deebel / Kristie Collins
C/O Bluff Mountain Outfitters
PO Box 114
Hot Springs NC 28743
Please hold for AT Hiker
ETA: 4/14/2013
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We are leaving in two days and everyone expects us to be nervous.  Strangely, I am not and neither is Wander.  We were nervous maybe two or three months ago, off and on, but now, not so much.  The months spent of sewing gear (and even some clothing), dehydrating food, packaging food, organizing maildrops, packing, unpacking, and weighing gear are now almost over. The last minute frantic rush to get things done is going well, and a strange calm has entered our lives.  In a way this was the first part of the journey, and it is coming to an end.  We are quickly approaching phase II: the walking part.

This was also my last day of work after seven years at the same company.  I should say half day, I guess, since I didn't plan on coming back after lunch. My coworkers gave me a cool walking stick which had been passed around for everyone to sign, but I am afraid to take it with us because it will get seriously abused.  It would also get lost within the first week. Much appreciated and a great surprise, however. I spent the second half of the day running around town taking care of last minute business. 

Our gear list page has been added for those interested.  Both of our packs are very similar and we have a base pack weight of around 17 pounds. That is without food or water.  When we have a normal 4-5 days worth of food with us, we will be carrying around 25 pounds. (I think, we will see at the scale at Amicalola when we start.) These weights are also for winter gear, keep in mind, since we will be starting in March and would like to remain relatively warm.  Once we get to Pearisburg, Virginia, we will be switching to some lighter weight summer gear and clothes, and our packs will be correspondingly lighter.

One more day at home and then we leave for six months!