Day 142 - Backpacking the Ice Age Trail in August

This is the first entry on backpacking for this project, so some background might be helpful.

My first experience backpacking was as a youth in Boy Scouts. I had signed up for a trip to Philmont and definitely needed some practice. I remember one trip to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, lots of practicing around the neighborhood, and finally the trip to Philmont. I made a similar trip a few years later because it was sch a great experience.

Now, for the last few years I've been taking one backpacking trip each summer. This year I got in two short-ish ones. This is the first.

The main goal of this trip was to get our scouts prepared for a trip to Philmont next August. We crammed in this trip right before school started.

The Ice Age Trail is: "The Ice Age Trail, one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States, is a thousand-mile footpath highlighting Wisconsin's world-renowned Ice Age heritage and scenic beauty."

There is a lot of the trail that is not yet developed. We chose a section of the trail that was fully developed in the Chequamegon National Forest about 50 miles northeast of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. This was a nice choice because it would give us flexibility and be only a couple of hours drive away.

There were 10 of us in total: 8 scouts, another adult, and myself.  I have backpacked with all of these folks before, except for 2 of the scouts.  This was their first backpacking trip.



The itinerary for the trip was:

• Wednesday - leave at 6:00, camp near the vehicles
• Thursday - hike
• Friday - hike
• Saturday - hike, arrive at the national forest camp ground
• Sunday - drive home

Wednesday:

• We departed at exactly 6:00 PM.  On the drive the sky was clear and we were headed due east.  As dusk was setting in , we saw the full moon on the horizon.  It was at just the right height and mingled in with some buildings that it looked like a water tower in the distance.  
• We arrived at the Hwy 64 parking lot at exactly 8:38 PM, perfectly according to the Google Maps estimated time.  Prior to the trip, I was amazed to see the parking lot on Google Maps street view.  
• We explored just a little, but determined the best place to camp is in the grass parking lot right next to the vehicles. There was quite a bit of road noise that evening and next morning since we were within a few hundred feet of a state highway.  It was however a good choice, was in-line with the park's regulations, and in-line with Leave-No-Trace since we were camping in a high-impact area.
• I brought very yummy triple chocolate cookie bars that I made earlier in the day.

Thursday:

• We were up early so that Kurt (other adult) and I could shuttle a car to the other end of the trail.  We found the parking area in the National Forest camp ground and talked with the concessions owner there.  Kurt had his necessary coffee.
• Despite us getting up early, we still didn't hit the trail until around 9:20 AM.  The first day always has lots of stops, when hiking with new backpackers... gear, boots, pack, bathroom breaks, etc. 
• We got into the campsite around dusk at 7:15 PM.  This was a beautiful camping site up on a hill/ridge between two lakes.  Very calm and quiet.  Supper was chili with cheese. 

Friday:

• Today was another long day.  It nearly broke the two new scouts.  I've never had a scout break-down sobbing, but today each of them did at least once.  The other scouts and I took it in stride, didn't make a big deal of it, took a break, offered food and encouragement.  One was homesick and both were tired and sore.  Both walked extremely slow most of the time, despite coaching.
• We made it to Sailor's Creek.  This was necessary for water supply.  Luckily there was a camp site established close by, even though it wasn't marked on the map.  In this national forest, backcountry camping is allowed nearly all the way along the trail.  Had there not been an established site there, we were prepared to do Leave-No-Trace backcountry camping.  

Saturday:

• Today was a strong finish as we hiking into the Mondeaux Flowage area.  
• We awoke early, at 6 AM and the scouts' challenge was to be ready to leave with packs on in 1 hour. It's doable, but is difficult.  The reward was a stop at DQ on the way home, paid for by the troop.  They made it in 1 hour, 15 minutes.  Pretty good, but no reward.   
• We cut out some trail miles today, by taking a couple of forest roads instead of the regular trail.  We really needed to do this given the two scouts that were having difficulties.  Not only did this cut out a mile or two, but it was also easy walking (which meant faster) for the distance we did cover.
• We had a great lunch at Picnic Point.  This was the best view of any we had the entire trip.  The pump well here was out of service, so after lunch we hiked on to the next camping area.  There we pumped water from the well.  It was the best water we'd had since the start of the trip!  Everything else had come from streams, had a bit of a algae taste, and wasn't all that cool.
• We made it to Spearhead Point campground around 4 PM.  Kurt and I got a ride from the next door neighbor in our campground for the extra mile to get my car.  Then we shuttled the vehicle back from the start of the trail.
• The scouts cooked supper, we made a campfire, and I made an end-of-hike treat cheesecake.

Sunday

• We were up fairly early, packed up, and departed around 8 AM.  That put us home an hour early, rolling into the parking lot around noon.

Each day we hiked about 12 miles and it took around 10 hours (all stops/lunch included).  This was longer than other scout backpacking trips we've done.  However, there was not much elevation change along the trail.  There were small hills, but nothing significant that even stands out in my mind.   This distance, over this kind of terrain really should have only taken 6-7 hours. It was clear that Kurt, the other scouts, and I would have had that pace, were it not for the two new backpackers.  That was, however, part of the point of this trip... to get these guys some experience and understand where the limits were.  Better to do this a year before Philmont on a 5 day trip within a couple of hours of home that costs $70 instead of a 12 day trip that costs $1200.

This wasn't the most amazing backpacking that I've done. The scenery was limited and the days were pretty long. It did however serve it's purpose as a preparation trip.

Day 127 - Blood Oath: The President's Vampire

A couple of weeks ago I wrapped up my 7th book, Blood Oath: The President's Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth.

I was browsing the CD audio books at the library while the girls were getting a few books for themselves.  I had just completed my previous audio book and wondered if I could find another in a short amount of time.  I did.

When I saw the title, I recalled that I had heard a blip about this on NPR a few months ago.  It's a newly published book this year, so I was surprised to already see it in audio book form and actually on the shelf at the library.  Google helped me find the book review I had heard on All Things Considered, June 7, 2010, Robert Siegel, host and book review by NRP's Margot Adler.  I listen to NPR mostly when I'm in the car commuting to-and-from work.  Ironically, listening to the audio books means less listening to NPR.

I recalled that this seemed like a pretty unique vampire novel so it went home with me.  Apparently some of my reading has been coming in 2's (two mountaineering books, now two vampire books).

This is a pretty unique premise for a novel: a vampire that is bound to the office of the President to serve and protect him and the nation from all sorts of evils.  The book moves pretty well and had a good plot.  You get to see humanity through the eyes of this vampire and see the moral struggles he has throughout this novel.  It's a vampire novel interlaced with political intrigue.  You can see the trailer on Amazon.

Apparently this is the first of a series.  I look forward to the next one!

Day 127 - Visiting Muir Woods National Monument

This is a post catching up from a trip a couple of months ago. This actually occurred on Day #68.

In August, I found myself in San Francisco on a business trip to visit a supplier.  I was able to drive up the evening before our meetings started to the Muir Woods National Monument.  While many people were already leaving after spending the day and the park was quieting down, I was able to spend a couple of hours in the evening before the sun set.

I knew that the trees would be big, of course, but there isn't anything like them that I've seen before. Absolutely amazing. 

These are the coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), a slightly different tree than their relatives the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron).  These coastal redwoods are taller, but have less overall volume that then giant sequoia.  

You could inhale the wonderful scent of the pine grove.  It was as if the entire park had a pine scent wall plug-in, but it wasn't overpowering and it was certainly all natural.

I took a hike that was about a mile and a half through the main part of the park.  At the far end of the loop, I sat in quiet and contemplated.  It was a wonderful evening spent among the tallest living things in the world.

Here, sown by the Creator's hand,

In serried ranks, the Redwoods stand;

No other clime is honored so,

No other lands their glory know.

The greatest of Earth's living forms,

Tall conquerors that laugh at storms;

Their challenge still unanswered rings,

Through fifty centuries of kings.

The nations that with them were young,

Rich empires, with their forts far-flung,

Lie buried now - their splendor gone;

But these proud monarchs still live on.

So shall they live, when ends our day,

When our crude citadels decay;

For brief the years allotted man,

But infinite perennials' span.

This is their temple, vaulted high,

And here we pause with reverent eye,

With silent tongue and awe-struck soul;

For here we sense life's proper goal;

To be like these, straight, true and fine,

To make our world, like theirs, a shrine;

Sink down, oh traveler, on your knees,

God stands before you in these trees.”

- Joseph B. Strauss

Day 119 - Nine out of ten dentists recommend...

Actually, I hope all 10 of the dentists recommend flossing.  Flossing is good.  Of course.  So is brushing your teeth, exercise, eating healthy, and all those kinds of things.  It's kind of a motherhood-and-apple-pie thing.  However, I certainly didn't get apple pie every day!

Despite all the reasons why I should floss, I have rarely flossed all of my life.  Luckily and despite that, I'm blessed with pretty darn good teeth and gums and that never have caused any troubles.  I have only 1 filling from a long-long-time ago. I brush twice a day and faithfully get to the dentist every six months.

I posted earlier, a little bit after I began this task.  Therefore, the task is to floss 4 times a week (easy enough) for 12 weeks (long enough to create a lasting habit, I hope).  I put a reminder up and check-off chart on my bathroom mirror as well as leaving the floss container out on the counter.

Began 24-June-2010

Completed 12 weeks, at least 4x per week as of 30-Sep-2010.

• There was one week where I only got in 3 flosses, so that week was discarded.  Note that the goal never said they had to be 12 consecutive weeks!
• There were a couple of weeks where I just barely got in the 4 flosses.
• There were a total of 76 flossing days (over the 99 days, that's a 76.7% percentage)

Overall, I declare this a grand success!  I'm certain that in the last 3 months I have flossed more than the rest of my life combined.  I'm keeping the chart up on my mirror and keeping going, despite the task on this list being completed.  The real test will come at my next dentist appointment.  I'm hoping for the fastest and easiest cleaning that I've ever experienced.  We'll see.  it's not until January.  I'll post an update then.

Day 119 - Catching up on some reading: Born of Night

I need to catch up a little bit on my blog here.  I've completed 2 more books in the last month, but haven't posted bout them.

The next book that I completed was "Born of Night" by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

This was another book that is outside of my normal genre.  It's good I'm doing this, because when it comes to reading, my horizons really should be expanded.  This was one that certainly did that!

It was part Sci-Fi and part romance novel.  I thought it was primarily Sci-Fi and was surprised by how much romance content there was.  There were certainly times when it got rather, ah... detailed.

Decent book though.  There were a few times where one just had to suspend belief, where the plot line seemed contrived so that author could just have dramatic events occur one right after another.    At those points it seemed to me she was simply trying too hard to keep the book to be a fast-moving page-turner.

Day 109: Retiring as the committee chair

Last night I retired.  While I would LIKE to be retired before I'm 40, I haven't struck-it-rich yet.  I actually retired from the position of Troop Committee Chair of my Boy Scout troop.  I am now back to having the best job in Boy Scouting -- Assistant Scoutmaster.

My "new" role, well, is a role I've already been doing anyway. Now I just have more time to focus on it.  I'm focusing in on high adventure activities for the older scouts (14-17 year olds).

My first couple attempts at transition out of this job failed.  One failed back in 2007-ish.  I transferred the job, but then a couple of weeks later the new adult wanted out.  Times were tough and he was over-committed.  Another attempt failed this summer where the new candidate was almost ready, but then realized that he'd probably only be able to hold the position for another year and that's a fairly short time.  

The parents and other volunteers in this troop are great.  They kept helping and looking for one of them that would be good for this position.  This position goes to a dad who is former scout, who is an Eagle Scout, has a relatively young boy in the troop, and didn't already have a position. Yay!  I look forward to mentoring him as necessary.

Here's the ceremony I put together.  It ends with the fairly common "investiture ceremony" found on the Internet.  The fist section I wrote myself.

Troop Committee Chair -- INVESTITURE CEREMONY

I appreciate every volunteer and parent involved in this troop. A troop can only operate when supported properly by a Chartered Organization, like Westwood church, a functioning troop committee, as well as the Scoutmaster and an entire cast of volunteers and parents. The troop is only as good as the dedication of its scouts and its parents & volunteers. I have had the privilege to serve as the Troop Committee Chair since April of 2005, nearly 5 1/2 years. I have seen the troop grow and evolve from just a handful of scouts that were tired of the regular routine to what I see as a vibrant and healthy scout troop with a strong program.

Let me tell you more about this position:

The Troop Committee Chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The troop committee chairman appoints and supervises the committee and the leaders. These responsibilities include: (but is certainly not limited to )

• Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated and completed.
• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster.
• Interpret national and local policies to the unit.
• Call, preside over, and promote attendance at committee meetings and any special meetings that may be called.

The administration of a successful troop goes well beyond that of a single person. I remind us and call upon all of us, scouts, parents, and volunteers to recognize that we each must do a job and play a supporting role in this troop's operation.

Like much in life, Scouting is about the JOURNEY, not the destination. We've come to a new point in our journey where I turn the role the Troop Committee Chair to another for the next segment of our journey.

At this time, I call upon to be installed as the Troop Committee Chair.

Place your left hand on the TROOP flag. Give the Scout sign and repeat after me please: " I promise to do my best -- to be worthy of the office -- of TROOP COMMITTEE CHAIR -- for the sake of our scouts -- and fellow leaders in this troop -- and the World Brotherhood of Scouting." Two.

I thank and congratulate you on this position. Fulfill the responsibility to which you committed and be an example to our Scouts and fellow leaders. Please join me in thanking and welcoming him as the Troop Committee Chair."

Day 57: Twilight

Another book completed from my list.  At this point, I kind of wish that I had put more books to read on my list.  It's especially nice to have found that the library has audio-books for download.

This is the next book I completed in audio-book format that I've been listening to in the car to-and-from work.

I don't know anything of the hype on this book or the series.  I haven't seen the movie.  Based on recognizing it as a vampire novel and that it has been popular, I figured I'd give it a shot.

The book was decent.  It was more of a romance novel that I had expected.  Unlike the previous books in my list, this isn't one where I captured quotes.  I'll consider reading the next in the series.

Day 50: The Heights of Peoria

The girls and I visited my parents who live near Peoria.  Item 22 on the list is about visiting them but also doing something fun while there.

We stopped by "Tower Park" in Peoria Heights.  A few dollars and a few minutes later, we were headed up the glass elevator on the side of the 200 foot tower.   This was a pretty hot day and it was a nice relief to be at the top of the tower where the breeze was much stronger.

Day 43 - Eat, Pray, Love

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I suppose this isn't your typical "guy" book.  Possibly you might consider it the chick-flick of novels.  However, I enjoyed this book immensely on a variety of levels, which I won't actually cover her.  But as an example, it was a good lesson in diversity.  I learned about Italy, India, and Indonesia, of the countries, culture, people, history, and religious practices.

It was also amazing to hear it being read by the author. I very much appreciated hearing the Italian words rather than just reading them.  I loved that she broke into an imitation of the accent when she was quoting someone's words.

I checked this book out as a downloadable audio book.  It's wonderful that our library system has become sophisticated enough that I can check out a book, download it, and then transfer it to my iPhone.

I love being able to listen to a book while in the car on my commute. Or with my eyes closed, resting on a blanket spread under a tree, or while folding laundry.  If I had my pick, it would always be relaxing in the shade, but it does help the other two less enjoyable activities be more enjoyable.

One thing that I found difficult about an audio book is that you can't highlight or mark something to later come back to it.  I realized over half-way through the book that I could, however, take a quick screen snapshot when I hear something I like to capture the chapter and time-stamp, and then later come back to it.

Some quotes:

• You are after all, what you think. Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts and you are the slave to your emotions.  ... You are never where you are.  You are always digging in the past or poking in the future, but rarely do you rest in this moment.
• Remembering something my guru once said:  You should never give yourself a chance to fall apart.  Because when you do, it becomes a tendency and it happens over and over again.  You must practice staying strong instead.
• Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.  You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings.  And once you have achieved a state of happiness,  you must never become lax about maintaining it.  You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever to stay afloat on top of it.   If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment.  
• Attraversiamo, Let's cross over.

Day 31 - What am I going to watch now?

I'm in no hurry to find another TV show.  It's summer time and life is busy.

Last week I completed watching my most-recent favorite TV series: Heroes.  It hasn't been renewed for a 5th season.  I will need to figure out what my next TV show is.

The last couple of TV shows that I watch from the start tend to have a death sentence within the first couple of years.  So watch-out, whatever I pick is probably going to go the way of the dodo bird.

Initial TV show ideas include:

• Firefly
• Lost

Day 31 - Point Omega

Point Omega, by Don DeLillo

I grabbed this fairly short novel (117 pages) on the new releases shelf as I was leaving the library at closing time.  Also it has a wonderful front cover.  I remembered seeing it as a recommendation on Amazon a couple of week prior.  I wasn't going for short--I was going for different.

This fiction novel was definitely different.  I'm pretty sure that if it hadn't been so short, I would not have made it through.  The book consists of 3 characters, the main one has retired from a top secret strategic war planning role as a civilian at the Pentagon.

The story is very much not an action/adventure story as I first imagined.  Instead this is very much a thinking book.  It delves into the each of their heads and their thinking and their thinking-about-thinking.

Different is good to broaden my horizons.  This book was definitely a different experience and I've never read anything like it before.

Day 30 - Flossing is a good thing

Flossing, yuck.  It's never something I've done all that much or consistently.  Thankfully I have pretty healthy teeth and even with out much flossing, I've only ever had 1 cavity.  But flossing is good, is important, and is to be done. OK, OK. I know all that but still haven't done well at it and so that's why it made the list.

I started Item 6 on June 24th, 2010.  This is the day I had my 6-month check-up and cleaning at the dentist.  I figured there was really no better day to start given my teeth were freshly cleaned.

Now I'm over 1 week in and I haven't missed a day.  Eleven more weeks for this item and then to keep doing it for good.  Somewhere a long time ago I heard or read that after 12 weeks a habit should be formed.  That's why I picked 12.

Also, now having read the Power of Less for Item 9 I realized that I had a unknowingly done a couple of other very good things when I set this goal that should help with motivation, namely:

• Anticipate - I set the start date a couple of weeks in advance, knowing that I had my dentist appointment. 
• Set an easy goal - I set the goal to be 4x per week, yet hoping to be doing it every day.  I figured that 4 was a lot better than I had ever done and was pretty much every-other-day.  
• Put up a chart - I put a small chart on my bathroom mirror so I can mark off each day.

So far so good.  I'm getting faster at it too.  I might actually have to buy some more floss one day.

Day 29 - The Power of Less

The Power of Less, by Leo Babauta

I finished the book a few days ago, but I needed to also identify 3 things that I'm going to do with it so I took some extra time.

Some of the interesting quotes from the book include:

• Why must we rush through life?  Slow down and enjoy it more.  Life is a journey--make it a pleasant one.
• Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.
• Focus all your energy on creating that one habit.
• Limited focus is digging with that same shovel in one spot until you hit water.

I have identified tasks #10, #11, and #12:

• #10 Power of Less: Reduce and organize my Boy Scout materials 
• #11 Power of Less: Create a time for solitude, use it for 12 times 
• #12 Power of Less: list all my commitments, then make the short list

Another interesting thing with this book was that I used Amazon's Kindle application for the iPhone.  This was the first complete book that I've read using my iPhone.  The reading interface is rather small, obviously.  It was fun to always have a book at my side.  I enjoyed being able to annotate and highlight key points and then later have access to them from the web.

This concludes Item #9.  However, as the key to doing something about it, I now have tasks 10-12.

Day 27 - Into Thin Air

I completed "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer.  This is an account of the tragedy that unfolded on Mt. Everest in May, 1996.  The previous book, No Shortcuts to the Top, that I listened to was a trigger for me to pick this one up when I saw it at the library.

The interesting thing for me in this book is understanding limits, the difficult decisions that need to be made, and the careful eye towards how a number of little things can stack up and overall contribute to a horrible outcome.

I'll think back on these two books the next time I'm trudging up a hill or on a tough trail with my backpack on.  I'll consider that it's probably not as bad as being in the death zone at nearly 29,000 ft. in the jet stream where humans can barely survive.

Day 27 - Movie Night

I was in the movie store the other day and decided I should pick out a movie and start Item #31,   Watch 20 movies that were nominated for Academy Award "Best Picture."  This seemed like a very good idea, but I didn't already have some picked out.

A quick reference on the Academy Awards, I fairly quickly chose Crash.  It won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2006.  Good movie yet disturbing on so many levels. It really makes you think about where our culture has/hasn't come today.

Day 21 - Kip's Irish Pub

June 25, 2010 - Had a nice outing with my best friend at Kip's Irish Pub.  It was a quiet evening with only a few people in the pub.  There was live music by a Minnesota songwriter/musician Bettina Villamil with drums, guitar/violin, piano and singing.

I go out periodically with this friend, so it's only appropriate that he gets to be the first for the list item #18.  I only get to count him once for this!

Day 16 - A camping trip to Wild River State Park

On June 19-20, 2010 E. and I went camping at Wild River State Park.

K. already was way for the weekend at her first church camp and E. wanted something to do.  *She* chose to go camping.  So on a Friday evening on what was going to be a very good weather weekend in Minnesota, it's nearly impossible to find an open campsite for the next day.  We were lucky and found a site at Wild River State Park.  That was ideal, because it was over half-way to where we needed to pick up K. on early Sunday afternoon.




So on Saturday morning we finished packing and set out.  It's only a couple of hours away.  We found our site, set up the large tent, and then went off exploring.

My "family" tent is a circa-1985 Eureka! cabin tent.  It's heavy, is well constructed, and will probably last forever.  It's only so-so if it rains.  Compared to today's tents, it has very little coverage from the rain cover.  You can stand up in it and it fits two people with cots/lounge chairs nicely.  I have two lawn chairs that fold out flat.  They work OK as a cot.

In just about 24 hours, we hiked down to the St. Croix River twice, went to the visitor's/nature center twice, had s'mores twice, and went to a story time/campfire program.  Since it wasn't a drive-in camp site, we certainly went back-and-forth to the car more than twice! 


Here you'll see a picture of a near-perfect s'more.  The marshmallow was wonderfully toasted by E. and the chocolate bar was already slightly soft.  When all put together, I had to get a picture.  Enjoy!


The second round of s'mores was as the story time program hosted by the park.  They brought in an actor/story-teller who did an approximately hour-long program filled with history and stories as he acted the part of a lumber businessman in the St. Croix in the 1850's to 1890's.  Mixing in some Paul Bunyan stories made it quite fun!

The weather was a bit cloudy until around 8 PM Saturday and then cleared up nicely.  A mostly full moon, clear sky, and nearly the summer solstice, not to mention that it was Father's Day on Sunday.


K. had a good time at her camp, but she definitely wants to be a part of our next trip!

Day 2 - No Shortcuts to the Top (item #30)

I completed book #1 out of 12. 


No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks by Ed Viesturs with David Roberts 

"I've learned in climbing that you don't conquer anything. Mountains are not conquered and should be treated with respect and humility. If we take what the mountain gives, have patience, and desire, and are prepared, then the mountains will allow us to reach their highest peaks. I believe a lot of things are like that in life." --Ed Viesturs, from "No Shortcuts to the Top"  

I like that he uses the phrase "will allow us to reach." Allowing is very much different than conquering. Apparently, as a climber in the Himalaya, you have to be very patient, waiting many days to make the ascent at the right time when the mountain and the weather allows.


Why do you do it?  Ed writes, "The non-mountaineer watching my slide show sees mostly suffering, cold, risk, and even loss-of-life.  Simply by nature, I'm extremely goal-oriented and personally motivated.  I like things that aren't not too easy; that don't come to quickly. The mountains are a beautiful arena in which to face such challenges. On top of that you face them with a few carefully chosen friends who have similar goals, aspirations, and work ethics.  A great climb is a wonderful mixture of difficulty and intimacy.  The challenge is both physical and mental. Finally big-range mountaineering is addictive."


There are a number of interesting elements to this book that appeal to the outdoorsman in me.  However, it doesn't make me want to become a mountain climber!  It does however offer interesting thoughts for my outdoor travels.  Even beyond that though there are life-lessons.  It is a story of setting goals, overcoming obstacles both big and small, taking one step at a time, figuring out how to climb your mountain (your Annapurna) and ultimately achieving something that seems unfathomable when looked at in the whole. 

And so it begins

On your mark... get set... go.  All systems go.  We have lift-off.  The 40 Before has begun.

I took another critical look at my list this evening.  I wanted to make sure everything was in order.  I see a few that are tough and others that are easier.  After some consideration, I kept them as is.  I found a few spelling errors and such.  I also have a couple undisclosed items that would work well as alternates if I need to remove something and replace it.

Tomorrow I'll mark my first item off.

My reading queue - Item #30

My reading queue, a list of books that I might be reading next.  They are in no particular order.

Personal Interest

• (Completed) The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life, by Leo Babauta
• (Completed) Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Twilight The Twilight Saga, Book 1, by Stephenie Meyer
• New Moon, The Twilight Saga, Book 2, by Stephenie Meyer
• Eragon, Inheritance Series, Book 1, by Christopher Paolini
• The 37th Hour, by Jodi Compton
• Monkeewrench, Monkeewrench Series, Book 1, by P. J. Tracy
• Boogers Are My Beat, More Lies, But Some Actual Journalism from Dave Barry, by Dave Barry
• The Associate, by John Grisham
• Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
• Wizard's First Rule, Sword of Truth Series, Book 1, by Terry Goodkind
• Stone of Tears, Sword of Truth Series, Book 2, by Terry Goodkind
• Follow Your North Star, by Martha Beck
• The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch
• Tuesdays with Morrie, An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson, by Mitch Albom
• The Color of Magic: A Discworld Novel, by Terry Pratchett (refer to http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/ for recommended order)
• The Light Fantastic: A Discworld Novel, by Terry Pratchett 
• (Reading) The Blade Itself (The First Law: Book One), by Joe Abercrombie
• Best Served Cold, by Joe Abercrombie 
• Weaveworld, by Clive Barke

Outdoors & Scouting

• (Completed) No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks, by Ed Viesturs and David Roberts 
• (Reading) Rocks in My Backpack, by Tom Sholes
• Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts, by Alvin Townley
• Scout's Honor: A Father's Unlikely Foray into the Woods, by Peter Applebome
• AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership, by Alex Kosseff

Job Related

• (Reading) Understanding A3 Thinking: A Critical Component of Toyota's PDCA Management System, by Durward K. Sobek
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen 
• The World is Flat, Updated and Expanded: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, by Thomas L. Friedman
• Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum by Mike Cohn
• The 4-Hour Work Week, Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, by Timothy Ferriss

T -4 and counting

It's Memorial Day, May 31, 2010.  "The 40 Before" project is at T-4 days and counting.  It begins this Friday.  I should probably figure out which thing(s) I'm going to tackle first.  One of those is going to be continued reading.  I've been working on my proposed reading list.

T -7 days and counting

I have 7 days left to finalize my last.  At 12:00 AM on 4-June-2010, my 40 months begin.  I'm posting the drafted list on the blog now.  I'll will look over it a few more times before I consider it final.

I gave myself a task item on the list to review & revise after 1/3 and 2/3 completed.  I hope for those edits to be small.

T -27 Days and I'm working on the list

I currently have 64 things (out of 101) on my draft list.  I have some work to do to add in more things as well as polishing-up the specifics for things already on the list.