Ok, I missed one.

Last night was my first slip-up. When I went to work out, I realized at my level of exhaustion that the task was unwise. To be honest, it would have been dangerous to attempt to work out. I could not concentrate or keep focus and balance was an issue. How much was muscular I cannot say, though I think that was a more minor part of the issue. Still, it was a full day. I was up and going and on the road by, 10:00 or 11:00, was it? And, I had made brunch before that, and showered, and all. After leaving the house, I did not return until after 18:00, then went out again. Only to return and make a full supper then clean up. Some days I just will not be able to exercise the way I had planned. And, really, if it is not too often, I think I can live with that.

I think my day yesterday was a bit too busy though. I could not sleep until 4:30 or 5:00, I just could not do it. I was having a very difficult time getting out of bed today, as might be expected. My friend and I went together on a tent recently, and she received it several days ago. We went together on it, as one of us almost for certain would want it and either we could then buy the other out or share it since we rarely camp at the same time. She had been hoping for a sunny day to put it up outside, but that had not happened and it does not look to be imminent. So, today, she set it up in her living room. She wanted me to take a look at it, and so called and woke me up in the middle of waking up process, revised wake up process anyway and at about 9:00. I assured her I would be over promptly. And, I may have been, in my dreams. I dunno. But the next thing I do know is that the phone was ringing and it was 11:00 and she sounded like an unhappy chipmunk. So, I got up, showered, and drove over. It is a really nice tent, actually. It is an REI, it has two “doors”, it is very comfortable for me (enough so that I could probably rest comfortably with one or even two other people in it, most “3 man” tents only and barely fit me), and it is well outfitted. However, and this is just the way the world works, we have both ended up taking our vacations at the same time. Only one of us will get to take it. I have suggested she take it as I have a tent (two actually, as I could take her other one or my old one), and because she actually needs a tent every night on her trip, while I could use one or just flatten my Xterra’s inner areas out and sleep in there, if I camp at all in any case. Still, I know she will yo-yo about this until she leaves on her trip (first, the 14th of June, I leave around the 18th but she will not be back yet).

I finally checked on the farmer john wetsuit return. I found the email address with which to send a query regarding the order and then sent an email including several specifics from the order definition email they had sent to me as the order was shipped. I did ask for a phone call, and gave them my phone number. I suggested that either a phone call would need to be had and that the phone call would have to include a conversation with an experienced wetsuit buying guide or that a simple return would be made and I would go on to find assistance of this nature from another source. I am hoping for a quick reply, though I am dubious. By Monday I will either have made contact somehow or I will order from another source. Time is becoming a bit critical on gear, with enough time for one more return and re-order cycle without getting into extremely expensive shipping. Even that would be questionable beyond one to two more order cycles.

I am cleaning my new cooking and eating equipment. I am also going through my gear, ferreting out what I want to take on the trip to a tornado torn area of Iowa and what will not be needed is being set apart in an orderly manner. It is good to be going through my gear and seeing exactly what I have, how much of what, and to set my mind to ease knowing where things are. I will end up taking two sets of clothes, with extra socks and an extra set of thermals (I will also be wearing one set), cooking and eating gear, water treatment and personal water storage, leather gloves, a personal hygiene kit including a smaller fast drying camp towel, several means of lighting a fire, both to light the little stove or to start an actual camp fire, my sleeping back, and a few other small odds and ends. Hopefully, other than the sleeping bag, it will all fit in a smaller day pack or medium duffel. Maybe better to just start with the duffel, as it will handle the sleeping bag too? Oh, of course, plenty of water, several food items (some needs to be cooked, some can be eaten as is, some can be done both ways, while some should not be cooked). I am probably doing overkill, but it is fun to do, and it will be interesting to see if any of it ends up being needed.

It seems that the loading of the van is off for the night. We will have to do what we can tomorrow, as the van needed some work and is in the shop. Which, as it turns out, is a good thing. My lady friend suggested she might be over this evening. So, I asked if she might be interested in one of her favored cuts of beef. It seems she might be, so, I headed to the store and picked up this, that, and the meat. I then stopped at the coop and picked up a few items (some for the trip, Clif Bars and a few assorted other items). So, I should be able to make a fine meal tonight, again. I hope she brings a movie or something, or at least is prepared to play a few board games. I think the meal with be: Delmonico steak with fresh garlic and mushrooms, fresh steamed kale, a salad, and fresh strawberries as desert. As usual, coffee for the lady, whole milk for the buffalo.

I must admit to being intensely curious about the monastery. All I have to go on is the stories of old regarding such establishments. Most of what I know, I have told. The daily mass, the seven bells (though, why seven, hourly minus the hour for mass?), and just that it is a monastery. What I did not pass on was that this place is within the largest contiguous (old?) woods in Iowa and that as their means of producing income, they craft coffins. I only worry that I might miss a bell, caught in a daydream or having fallen to a nap. I fear not being able to sleep or awaken properly. I fear being a burden, one way or another. Call me fickle, but, and though I know I am not, I like to feel somewhat in control and able to dismiss my duties as I may or must at times. With others, a clock, and many unknowns, I am being tested a bit. I am sure, one way or another, I will do fine for the short time period. Yeah, I know the rafting and all, but that is a little different. My rafting mates will probably not have the ability to excommunicate me! *laughs*