I'm All Set

The plans for WalkingMan Tour 2009 are in place. I'm just waiting for December 10 to arrive so I can begin the journey. As I previously wrote, I'm planning to leave Tulsa on Thursday afternoon and get as far as I can that day. Hopefully I can get all the way to BiBe, even if that means car camping!

I want to get an early start on Friday, December 11 for my hike to the South Rim. I hope to do Emory Peak again on this trip, along with attempting to locate the sites of my past two years rituals. I'm planning right now to camp at SE2, but may choose NE4 just for the novelty.

Saturday December 12 is my 20th birthday in sobriety. I'd like to celebrate at the Rim, but may choose this morning to climb Emory Peak on my way back down the Pinnacles trail.

Saturday afternoon I'm planning to go to the Mule Ears overlook parking lot and hike to the Upper Smoky Creek backcountry camping zone for the night. I hope to get to the black canyon area, but since this will be new territory for me, I'm not sure where I'll camp.

Sunday December 13 will complete the Smoky Creek/Mule Ears portion of my hike. I would like to go to Big Bend Ranch to find the trailhead for Rancherias Canyon for a possible dayhike on Monday the 14.

I have a cabin rented in Terlingua Ranch for Monday and Tuesday. This will complete my week of solitude with time for reading and reflection for the blessings I've received in my life.

I'm very excited!