Life of Wry

A flat tire.

As if to say, whoa there, cowgirl, take a breath…

For the last few weeks, I have definitely been in that manic pre-trip state of mind… you know that world of lists and errands and last minute acquisitions.  Reading all the travel books and travel blogs.  Thinking about what to take, what to wear, what to see, how best to get the most out of the experience.

If you’re me, that manic place is made more frenetic by my tendency to over-plan.  For example, I’ve made a nice chart of our day-to-day itinerary–mileage, elevation gains, mountains we’ll see, rivers we’ll cross.  I’ve done a schematic of our elevation gains and losses.  I’ve written the addresses of all who shall get postcards and all who shall get gifts.  I’ve made a list of the peaks we’ll see on this trip and their world ranking in terms of height (for the record, we’ll see the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 15th, 20th, 24th highest.. wowowowow!).  I have a handy conversion chart for both meters–>feet and centigrade–>fahrenheit.. because, well…   I like to know these things.

It gets worse.

I tend to organize and prepare for my departure in a way outside-the-lines kind of way.  I’m the one who, before she goes on a trip, has to clean out the refrigerator, sort the coins in the spare change basket, finally call the dishwasher repair service, finish up the unsent Christmas cards (the ones that were owed long personal messages), file all the items in the to-file box, cull the hat collection, sweep the porches.  Plus things up to which I will not fess.   I go fully, deeply, painfully, into the detail and logistics zone.  And the clean, cull, organize and straighten up zone.  And a whole bunch of other places that make me feel ready, and confident I’m leaving an orderly world for Peter and Jim while I’m gone.

But.

With only a day and a half before departure, I’m also, gratefully, in the what will be will be zone.  I’m finally in that window where things are coming OFF the table.  There is no more time to train.  There are no more electronic gizmos I could possibly, reasonably expect to acquire and learn before I go.  I can not make any more trips to REI.  I cannot lose another pound (which means I can eat that piece of shortbread because one piece of shortbread is not going to make a difference now).  I’ll have to make do with what I’ve got and let the rest go.

It’s almost like the trip has begun.  Not quite, but almost.

Taking a deep breath…