I have been reading all year getting ready for this journey, the letters from people who went on the journey, especially the Priest and the "conductor" of the removal. But now it is time to actually get gear ready--yet I'm not ready for that. I have another week of classes--where I have to grade final "papers" then a week of exams grading, then graduation..then I'm off... I plan to leave the day after graduation, the last day of April so I can starting walking may 1st. When will I pack? Who knows... I'm packing in my head now, but I probably won't do it until the night before. Oh well, this trek is not like my normal wilderness backpacking treks on the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail where you go a week without a store. I'll pass some little store daily I suppose, so I'm not freaking out yet. My head is working in "background" but most of my attention is on finishing my semester strong, not on this walk. I should have given myself a few days cushion--no matter I'll just do it.