Time flies! It seems like only yesterday that we were sweating profusely as we climbed Mt. Currie, yet it was September. Since that time there have been some significant changes!
First, we set a departure date for our trip, November 11, 2014..which also happens to be our wedding anniversary. I suspect that this date will get pushed or pulled by a few days as we get closer to crunch time, but it is what it is. There is a countdown timer at the bottom of our web page. This all came about when we were on vacation in Maui, when a friend mentioned that setting a date for an epic trip they took (sailing from Miami to Vancouver via the Panama Canal), made it “real”. Only 10 months to go!
We just bought new touring bicycles. My Kona Sutra touring bike that I used in France, and also this past summer is a terrific road touring bike, but I fear that I’m limited in the tire sizes I can use, and also in what I’ll be able to find in some countries, as the wheel size is 700c. Amanda on the other hand has been without a touring bike since she sold her Kona Sutra (too big) in 2012. We’ve each decided to get new Surly Long Haul Trucker bikes, with 26″ wheels. These bikes are very popular in the touring community, and I think we’ll be well served by them. We hope to have some video and photos of the new bikes in the coming weeks. For now, here is a tease.
Here is a quick shopping list of other things that we will try to procure for our trip:
- Sea to Summit Micro III Sleeping Bags
- Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink 10L
- Ultra-Sil Outhouse Toilet Paper Holder
- Waterproof Panniers
- Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Charging Array
- Multi-Fuel MSR stove
- Tent
Christmas is upon us and that means family time. In our minds, this will be our last Christmas at home for quite awhile. We’re both looking forward to spending time with friends and family over the next weeks. Then, we’re off to Whistler to try and get some skiing in, if the snow gods see fit to provide us with any snow.
Other new stuff? Well, this website is new. We’ve provided many different ways for you to follow us, including an e-mail notification system if you put your e-mail address into the box at the bottom of the screen, or you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
So with some things still left for us to buy, what do you recommend for each of the above? Let us know what you think!