The list begins....

Tonight I realized after trying to come up with dates for weekend excursions, that my time for friends and loved ones is getting short. And the list of things to do for the adventure preparation is getting longer!

I decided to begin my list here, partially to remind myself but mostly to hold myself accountable ;p

1) Get a bank account with the AAFB and take advantage of free withdrawals anywhere around the world.

2) Check green card and passport for expiration dates (Ummm.... yea, REALLY important!)

3) Figure out what I'm selling and what I'm keeping and start listing!

4) Benefits Office to determine insurance needs and costs.

5) Human Resources to check on just what does my Leave of Absence mean and what I need to do when I return.

6) Make sure beneficiary and emergency contacts are updated along with an updated will.


Fourteen weeks - time to get started!

Gear - Icebreakers

Part of planning for this adventure is getting the right gear. Pack, shoes, poles, clothes, sleeping bag... and all the various little things that add up. I've been doing a lot of research, buying slowly and with much more attention to weight and absolute need.

Today I tested the Icebreaker Merino wool undergarments for their ability to keep me comfy for an extended day. I have learned that synthetics, which tend to get stinky, are not as good a choice for base layers as wool. Wool is the preferred product for long term wear, being extremely odor resistant. Not sure I want to try wearing the underwear for multiple days just yet, but they seem pretty decent thus far. They do feel different than cotton, not really itchy, but there is a slight abrasive touch.  Other manufactures of wool products are out there, but according to the NY Times, these underwear are the wool with sex appeal. I just need them to be comfortable and stink free. If they work, I will only need to pack two for the Camino.

Need to keep the pack as light as possible!

Next on the shopping list, a Z-pack sleeping bag... Gotta be light, gotta pack small, which means you gotta pay big.

Approval of Sabbatical

Welcome to the first "official" post of my year off blog...
Although the adventures have been in the planning stages for nearly a year, today I received district approval for a leave of absence beginning June 2015 and ending July 2016. So begins the daunting and exciting task of taking a trip of a lifetime (20 + years in waiting).

My airline ticket to Europe has been purchased and Camino de Santiago dates are finalized - as much as can be. I'll arrive in Germany June 3 and acclimate to the time for a week before beginning in St. Jean  Pied de Port June 9. It will be good to spend the time with family in Germany, its been too long since we've visited one another. My days on the Camino will follow John Brierley's guide and a meetup with a friend in Sarria around July 10th, entering Santiago on the 14th. Then on to Finisterre and back to Germany for a rest. I plan on conquering the European continent in the following months through November, but no definite dates or destinations as of yet.

Although the date is still months away, I can feel the angst of pending loss building already. I am leaving for a long time, at least it seems so now. I know in reality, the time will pass quickly, but still I struggle. With my grandson turning one next month, I worry about how he will feel not seeing me for such a long time and what I will miss out on as he grows and changes so much. I worry about how I will change and how the people important to me will change and if we can find our way to each other again. Will I lose more than I gain?