Update:

OK...so we have gotten bad about updates recently, but mostly that is due to how busy we have been with preparations and other more mundane activities. On my end, work is super busy and we are into playoff season for hockey so there are tournaments and games all the time that keep me busy. For Sabrina, she has been busy turning 13 pounds of ground beef into just over 3 pounds of dehydrated beef for our maildrop meals as well as getting all of our other less exciting aspects of regular life in order to disappear for 6 months.

There are lots of things to consider when you are going to go on a major trip like the AT for 6 months. Some things we are working on are:

• A will...you never know what will happen on a 6- month hiking trip
• Insurance for all of our belongings in storage
• Health insurance for us while we hike (my employer is very understanding, but I doubt there are many employers out there right now who would be able to continue benefits during a 6-month leave of absence)
• What to do with cars? And car insurance?
• Setting up any recurring bills for payment while we are gone.
• Providing our resupply heros (my parents) with lists of what gets mailed when and where they can get replacement gear if needed.

This is just a quick summary of all of the "real-life" things that need to get taken care of before a couple heads into the woods for an extended period of time. It wouldn't be nearly as complicated if only one of us were attempting the hike, but since both of us are heading into this adventure, there is no one in our immediate family to take care of much of this while we are gone. We will post a more complete list of the real-life items that we are taking care of before we hit the trail.

By the way, if anyone reading this is looking at a mid to late April departure date from Springer, please get in touch with us to see if we can share any knowledge with each other before we get on the road.