Sign of Things to Come

So, this is just about the conclusion of Part I - Camino Preparation.  At this point, the planning and preparation are all complete.  The training walks complete; the gear purchases and organization are complete; I have read more blogs, emails, posts, and books than I can possibly digest.  "No más, no más"  - to quote the famous prizefighter Roberto Durán as he was outmatched in the Ring by his nemesis Sugar Ray Leonard.  Nor can I take any more.  As veterans of the Camino say, "you don't do the Camino, it does you!."

And so today, I am packing my gear in anticipation of the early Thursday morning get-away.  I mowed the lawn one more time and took a call from my brother.

At this point, he seems to be having second thoughts about checking his backpack or carrying it onboard.  The question revolves about whether or not hiking poles are considered "dangerous weapons" or not - as defined by the FAA or some similar Homeland Security Agency.  

Last Training Walk - easy saunter to Sholan without pack.

I actually have two options.  I am pretty well set on putting everything into one big bag, including the poles, and checking that through from Boston to Paris, with an intermediate stop and plane change at JFK in NY.  The other option, which I really do prefer is to carry on the backpack, containing everything except the poles, which I will put in a box or tube and check through.  In this manner, I will be sure to have everything "I own" when I reach Paris - even if the airlines (American Airlines) looses the poles!

As I was checking the containers which I might use for the box or tube option, I noticed that the rubber tips of my poles are wearing.  I haven't gone but about 125 miles.  Oh Dear!  These tips will never leat another 500 miles.  And so a quick call to New England Backpacker in West Boyleston confirmed that they have them in stock.  Thirty minutes down the road and they were sitting on the counter awaiting my arrival!  Great.

My "to-do" list is shrinking.  Today I passed on account numbers to my good friend Mark - just in case; we went food shopping for Kathy, checked over bills to be paid, called my father, charged up my extra camera battery (I have a charger, but I wanted them both charged), and made some snacks for the trip.  The list now includes moving some money around for the debit cards, showing the neighbor's son David how to mow the lawn, dusting and vacuuming the "Camino" room where I have had my gear spread out for several days now, making a final decision on the poles, checking into the flight via the internet, printing the boarding pass, and checking with my ride to the airport ... just to confirm.

But, what about this "sign of things to come" the title of this posting?  

As a retirement gift, I received a Garmin GPS handheld unit.  It does the usual hike tracking (which I have used to measure distance walked on my hikes), automobile GPS, Geocaching, and a number of other things.  I have not yet begun to use the full capability of this device.  

Hiking yesterday for my final walk, a 6.5 miler to Sholan Farms and back home, I was looking for a rock upon which to sit while I was at the Fall Brook Reservoir.  Looking about to the sides of the trail, I noticed a plastic container stuffed into the hollow of a log, an old rotted tree fallen many years ago.

Plastic Container in Hollow of Trunk

 And so, I pulled it out, thinking that someone might have placed it there hoping to return and retrieve it later.  Hummmmmmmmm... interesting find.  In this picture, I pulled it out from inside the log; it was actually pushed in quite far so that it would not just stick out in plain view. 

The Hidden Container

 Whatever this is, I figured it was well documented based on its appearance.  As I looked closer, I thought, based on the label, that perhaps it was part of a school project for nearby Fall Brook school.

Label on the Cover

 It was also very clear that this container was meant to withstand severe weather conditions.  It was no cheap plastic container with lid. This cover locked down on all four sides.  It was very secure. 

And the name "Log Inn at Fall Brook?"  Not a reference to the nearby school, but a clue to the whereabouts of this cache.  NOTE:  I found it in a hollowed out LOG at the Fall Brook Reservoir!

Contents Spread on the Rock

 As I looked closer, I realized that I had just found a hidden Geo Cache!!  There was also a log book inside of a zip lock bag.  Inside the log, I found the earliest date to be 2009, and the most recent recorded date to be last Fall - 2012.  But alas, while I usually have a pen in my backpack, I had only a small water pack today ... no pen.  I wanted to remember the numbers so that I could check this out on the internet.

But then I thought, why not photograph this and then I will not have to remember the numbers.

Instructions

One of the Contents

 Clearly one of the "rules" of geocaching is that when you find a Geo Cache, you should leave something identifying you and the fact that you found the cache.  That's what this card was and also the one which has another man's picture on the card.

I returned home, read the insturctions and went on the internet to "record my find." If you want to know more about this Geo Cache hobby, just check on the internet; there seems to be quite a bit to it.  I am sure our grand sons will like it.

So, as one never knows what he might find in the woods or on any sojourn, I am sure that the Camino will hold many such discoveries in hand for us over the next several weeks.  Perhaps this is a "sign of things to come!"

Below is a trial of a video that I took with the camera just to try it out as it will make the trip to Spain.  I wanted to see and hear what it could do.

 

A subsequent call to my brother and we are back to checking everything except a small carry on.  The reason is not just the poles, it is also the vaseline, the sunscreen - liquids and gels are problematic at the carry on booth!

Buen Camino!