After a great float on Mountain Lake with Kasey, I finished packing. I was tired, and didn’t go see Susan Osborne at the park like I was going to. It felt good to be as prepared as possible for the trip.

I got my bike ready: shined the chrome, put Lexol on the leather, and WD-40 on the slidy parts. I made sure I had oil, fuel, and some tools. Both saddlebags were full, and the large pack was ready to fill with our food when the time came.

I stayed up late in the staff kitchen, having social time with the peeps. I made cookies for everyone (the dough was made ahead and in the freezer; don’t think I’m a miracle worker or totally OCD), and Neil gave me some port. Just a smidge! I was hungry by 3am, go figure, so I went downstairs for oatmeal and about 90 rousing games of FreeCell. The birds were chirping at 4:30am, but I was able to sleep again until 6:45am.

Next entry: Second prep day.