Westward We Go

Tomorrow at midnight, Lou and I point his car west and lurch off into the night towards a good old-fashioned road trip/adventure/mountain climb/wedding in Breckenridge, and I'm looking so forward to it that I think my head might explode. If this adventure turns out to be anything close to last year's Walk in the Woods, we will return home as immensely satisfied as we could possibly hope for. We should earn merit badges for this insanity.

I do not, unlike some shockingly cynical and pessimistic persons, believe that the excitement before the trip is more rewarding than the trip itself, but I do enjoy the hell out of myself with the planning and anticipation. Yes, I am the sort of geek who prints out maps and directions and tries to plan for various obstacles and disasters, but I can also happily throw said plans out the window at a moment's notice if need be. It is very useful to be bipolarly (sure, that's a word) a control freak and completely easy going. A little confusing sometimes, but generally useful.

The agenda looks roughly like this:

Saturday, midnightish: Depart Indianapolis via car stocked with Mt. Dew, books on iPod, materials for the construction of turkey sandwiches, and whatever else we decide to throw in at the last minute.

Sunday, 2 p.m.ish: Arrive Denver area, check into whatever motel is cheapest (see, I didn't plan that!) and watch the championship game of the World Cup (Go France, beat those greasy diving Italians).

Monday, a.m.: Leave Denver, drive to Rocky Mountain National Park, check into campsite, set up tent, get in touch with mountain man self.

Monday day: Hike all over RMNP, look at cool lakes, commune with nature, avoid being eaten by wildlife.

Tuesday day: More of same.

Tuesday evening: Meet up with Nate and brother, eat five thousand pounds of pasta, go to sleep by about 9 p.m.

Wednesday, 2 a.m.: Wake up, check packs six times for all manner of survival gear, drive to trail head, climb up 14,225 foot Long's Peak until we a) reach the summit, b) get eaten by cougars, c) get exhausted or physically ill due to altitude, or d) get rained on a lot.

Wednesday, 4 p.m.: Return to camp site, pack up, drive to Breckenridge, Colorado.

Thursday: Breckenridge activities (mountain biking, alpine slides, possibly alcohol)

Friday: See Thursday

Saturday: Attend Nate's mountainside wedding. Congratulations, good sir. Strong work. Nicely done.

Sunday: Get up, drive home.

If this were a "how much life can you pack into nine days" contest, we would win.

Yay for us.