On the Road Again (almost) 2012 #2

This time next week (Wednesday) I will be well on my way to Winnipeg. I was going to leave earlier than that but there was a bit of a minor snag including the fact that there are only three trains heading west each week so missing the Sunday one meant that I have to wait until Wednesday.

This time last year I was on my way. It feels as if it has been a long time since I stopped teaching.I have been ready to go for a long time. I am not a patient man and need/want to get out on the road. On the other hand I am more than grateful that I am not on the road when it is this hot. It makes staying hydrated very difficult.

I was packed a week ago. It is hard to stay packed. I only have so many shirts or underwear so I keep on needing the stuff that is either in my pack or the box that I will mail to myself next week – which means that I have stuff somewhat scattered throughout my apartment.. Laundry is on Saturday. Once my stuff is washed, it will go into the pack or box and that will be it.

Packing is an interesting process. Every fall I am determined to lighten my load for the following year. So this year I have a flashlight that is lighter, but then I have bought a keyboard for my tablet that is a bit heavier than the original flashlight, two years ago I bought a very light bevy sack and  last year a tiny stove, but the pants I bought this year are heavier and bulkier than the ones I had 3 years ago (they no longer make the other ones). I could give numerous examples where I have cut back on weight on some items only to have the overall weight increased in other items.

However weight, while it is pretty important, is not the only consideration. I think size is greatly underappreciated in terms of getting a ride. While it is purely subjective, I think that one of the reasons why I have had some luck in the past two years in terms of getting relatively quick rides is that my pack looks small. There have been times when the pack almost towered over my head – no one had room for me and the pack. the pack looks smaller now and perhaps it is not as intimidating to the drivers of small cars.

Or perhaps I get rides ‘cause they like my hat