A little blog I'm using as a test to see if I can remember how to do it.

Getting things together, making lists, buying things I think I will need, and just generally getting excited about my winter trip to Florida.

I don't know if I will be able to keep this post going the whole trip, but I do want to be able to look back and remember it later.  I hope you enjoy reading it-please feel free to post comments.

Back to the first paragraph for a moment.  Most of the time I enjoy the getting ready for a trip almost as much as the trip itself.  The planning is fun, I even enjoy loading things. Most of all though, I love the "list".  My mind goes too fast for my body most of the time, then all of a sudden the mind just stops!  At times I can't even remember my own name.  That's why I love the list.

I grab a sheet of paper and a pen and just start jotting down ideas, articles I think I will need, tools, etc.  I just let it flow as long as it will. Suddenly it stops. That's OK.  I just put it away for the time being.  Sooner or later I pick it up again and go over it.  I will add a few things, mark out a few things, then put it away again.  I make this list several times before anything happens.

Of course there are are always "staple" items-food, clothing, towels, soap, cooking utensils.  However, for a three month trip this far from home, there are also items that I need to have with me.  I learned a lot last winter.  When I go on my short one week fishing trips I don't worry about things like tweezers, nail clippers, laundry detergent, bleach, etc.  I remembered to take my drill last year, but forgot drill bits.  I had a screwdriver bit with the drill, but no screws. I had an extra battery, but no battery charger.  I think you can see where I'm going with this.  I have to write it down or I won't have it with me if I need it.

Why would I need a drill, charged battery and screws in an RV?  Well, the velcro that holds the privacy curtain in the front of the RV was well worn.  The curtain kept falling down.  I just happened to have a little velcro strip in my bike kit.  The problem was I had no screws to hold the velcro to the section where it's supposed to go.  I did buy some screws at the Publix, but it would have happened sooner if I had just had a small assortment of screws with me.  So, all that is now on the list :)

I have refined my list by now, and I think I have it down to things I will, or could need.  I can't take everything I could possibly need, but with the drill, bits, a few screws, some duct tape and WD-40, a hammer and pliars, I think I'm set for most things that I can handle by myself.

OK, this is mainly a test blog to see if I remembered how to do it, and how to post it.  I won't update it again until I'm almost ready to leave.  That won't be until mid December-46 days after today to be exact.  Until then, everyone enjoy Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving!

Jeff