I was at the used book place buying books for the trip and found a hard-bound "DRAGONFLY" for $1. Great book, had no idea what a mess things might have been.

Linenger is a piece of work, isn't he? And I had no idea Shannon Lucid was so "grandmotherly". How would you like to be stuck on Mir for 4 months with yer grandmother?

Don't leave on the hike for another 3 weeks, have purchased everything I need, and then some, am trying to figure out what to ship where. (Am working very hard to get more into the dog's pack, too. May have to get a bigger whip, though. Attitude and motivation are everything, don't you think?)

There are a couple of small towns with "trail angels" who let thru-hikers access the internet, will post progress from there. Thanks for asking.

And I trust all is well with you. And you, too, Raoul. Nice to see notes from both of you.

(In the past I have timed my overnight on the summit of Mt. Whitney for moonless nights to better be able to see the stars. And every time I've done that there was so much smoke from forest fires there were no stars. Since I can't tell when I'll get to Whitney that's an unknown now, thought I'd better say something "Space-y", however.)

Arf