Ordered the digital camera at the beginning of the week. The camera arrived Tuesday. You should always practice with a camera before taking it on a big trip. I didn't, but one should.
Spent Wednesday picking up items for the trip, leaving Thursday for anything I forgot to get on Wednesday. Used Rick's packing list for guidance. See the bottom of this page for Rick's list.
Did not need much, only little things like rechargeable batteries and chocolate covered granola bars. A good buy was the zipper lock (not just zip, but the ones with the sliding zipper) bags, which were handy to have. One rule I have is you can never have enough toilet paper, which has served me well. Also bought sunscreen and importantly lip balm.
Other good buys, all from Walmart - my cousin's favorite place to shop - were two pairs of shorts, a large duffle bag and a nylon sack for my sleeping bag.
The big problem was the sleeping bag. Rick said we needed one rated to 30 degrees. Gabe said we needed one rated to 20 degrees. Mine is rated to 40 degrees and I did not want to buy another one. Settled on a $10 mylar, high-tech, emergency blanket, which looks like a palm-sized, lightweight, folded piece of aluminum foil.
Thursday was packing day. The duffle bag was great. Could stuff alot in it.
The trick to packing, as suggested by Gabe, was to group things in their own bags, sometimes bags within bags. Everything proved easy to get, pack, unload and travel with.
Packed a few zipper lock bags with high fiber foods, one with bran cereals, another with seeds and nuts, and the last with raisins and figs. Not that I have a problem, but with an expected change in diet, wanted to keep everything moving along.
My adventure started Thursday night. Loaded my car and left. Planned to stay at Sigal's, my Israeli girlfriend, or maybe former girlfriend. She was to give me a ride to the airport early in the morning and she lives about 40 minutes closer.
Thursday was the last night of Passover. Met Sigal at Batsheva and Jim's. Batsheva is Morrocan and she was hosting a Mimuna, the traditional, Morrocan celebration on the night when Passover ends, where they serve sweets, cookies and deserts made from nuts and dried fruits.
This Mimuna had a twist, an African drum circle, to which Batsheva and Jim belong. Their friends showed up with drums and an impromptu drum session broke out. Wish I had a photo.
From there we went straight to Sigal's west coast swing class, intemerdiate level, I might add. My first time, and aside from applying some unpleasant finger locks on unsuspecting women, I did alright. Sigal was very good.
-----Original Message----- From: Rick Dronsky [mailto:rick@mosaics.org] Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 9:47 PM To: Mosaic Announcements; S. Fla. Mosaic Announcements Subject: [mosaic-sofla-events] Colorado River Canoe Trip Hey Canoeists: It looks like our final number is 20 people! We're looking forward to a great trip and phenomenal weather. I am pasting the final packing list below. Further details on the trip will follow tomorrow. Please let me know if you will need me to bring a tent for you. If we loan you a tent, you will be sharing it with one other person, so you may want to bring your own tent. It may be helpful to know that we will all be staying at the Comfort Suites, Airport location, on both Sat, 4/6 and Friday, 4/12, and you can leave things checked there while we are on the river. We can also leave things at the rental store in Moab. The number at the hotel is 801-715-8688, and they have a 24 hour shuttle from the airport. More info to follow.... Hope this helps to get you started. Rick Dronsky Moab Canoe Trip Packing List Below is the long-awaited packing list. We will advise you of any additions or changes should any arise. Please pack lightly, in soft-sided luggage if possible. Space is at somewhat of a premium, so we want to pay some attention to bulk. We will leave all unnecessary belongings at the outfitter, and take only what the group and the leaders decide on. Weather is expected to be in the 60's or 70's daytime, but could go down to 40 degrees on rare occasions. Nighttimes can be much colder, with temperatures probably in the 40's or 50's, and maybe as low as 30 degrees. Remember that wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet! We will be canoeing most days, and getting off the river to set up camp by around 3:00 pm. We will do a lot of hiking during daylight hours, when we’re not paddling, setting up camp or preparing dinner. There will be at least one fire every night, and it will be blazing in each morning. All food will be provided, but everyone will be expected to assist with cooking, collecting firewood, cleanup, and packing canoes. Required Items: 2 shorts 5 t-shirts 5 pairs underwear 1 pair thermal underwear (top & bottom) 1 or 2 pair wool socks 2 long sleeve shirts (cotton is best) for sun protection 1 sweatshirt 1 fleece or sweater Heavy winter coat (like a ski jacket) Raincoat & rainpants flashlight & extra batteries toiletries medications Tent if you have one, or would like to not share. Be sure to let us know if you need to borrow one, and we will bring one, but you WILL have to share it. Sleeping bag (good down to 20 degrees) Compact air mattress or bed roll; Thermarest is a good one. Strongly recommended! Sneakers Hiking Boots. Strongly recommended if you will be hiking! Water shoes or sandals 1 Towel Sunscreen Lip Balm 1 Hat (for sun protection) 1 Warm Hat (for thermal protection, like a wool ski cap) Day Pack for lunches, water bottle, etc 2 Water Bottles 1 pair gloves 1 Bathing Suit Optional: Mug for hot beverages Camera & film binoculars Personal stereos with headsets only (We prefer you not bring them at all) FRS Radios (very helpful to have a few, especially the new 5 mile range radios) Books, info on the area, etc Games appropriate for evening activities A few energy bars Bandana Camp Chair Journal & pen Rope Pocket knife Anything else that is small and you think might be useful to the group. Please do not bring: Radios or boomboxes Illegal drugs Very large tents or ones that difficult to set up What we will be providing: Mess kits with silverware, plates, bowls, and cups Tent to share upon request only! Toilet Paper Biodegradable soap |