Another beautiful day

It's a good thing I ventured outdoors today because the inside of my house is like a fridge, whereas it is really nice out in the sun.

I started the day by doing two loads of laundry and was going to just say the heck with it and dry it all in the dryer, but decided to hang everything on the line.  I can't pass up the free sun dryer!

I felt too good to stay indoors so I walked about a mile at the Mather Field Sports Complex.  This time I walked a 15 minute mile and should have continued, but it was lunch time and I was hungry.  The bottoms of my heels hurt when I walk much, and I don't know if there is anything that can be done for that - maybe an especially cushy pair of shoes?  I just bought Superfeet insoles for my shoes and they are a little better, but still not without some pain.

I tried a couple of the sports bars last night after leaving the gym - one was so hard I couldn't even take a bite off it.  I don't know the thinking behind making something so brittle, and the other side of the coin is the fact that so many sports bars are extremely chewy, and certainly not good for teeth.  I tried another brand of sports bar, apple-cinnamon flavored, but it was a bit chewier than I like.  I'm not going to waste any more money on them and will just come home after exercising and try to eat something high in protein.  An egg sandwich always fits the bill.

I reach Nirvana when I start reading either of the two books I bought at REI yesterday.  Both books describe hikes and backpacking trips in the Trinity Alps and Trinity Wilderness.  I ordered two maps from the NFS which I believe will be shipped from their map department in Missouri.  

I think November would be late for an overnight trip, but fine for day hikes in the lower elevations.  Hopefully I can pick a decent couple of days in December, stay at an area motel, and do several short hikes.  I need to get used to walking with a pack, even if only a lightweight one, so that I can eventually carry a tent and the items I'd need for an overnight.  I'd like to get a new backpacking tent - I love my old one but the sides are a little saggy, giving me less space.  To think I shared that tent with a 65# black lab as well as both of our packs, and there was plenty of room.  I guess, like I am, the tent is plumb wore out!

I am almost resigned to having the ERCP procedure which is scheduled for next Tuesday.  I got my Advanced Directive properly signed and witnessed, and now I need to clean my house.  I would absolutely die if something happened to me and anyone saw all the dust and disorder!  I don't care much for the surgeon and wish I had asked for a different one when they were scheduling this back in June.

I'm hungry for dinner already and it's only 4:00.  I guess my appetite is still on daylight savings time!