In which the sn*w is almost gone, and I turn my gaze towards the Springtime

I wanted to do this last year.

Cascade to Palouse trail

The Cross-State Ride, sponsored by the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association begins in mid-May this year.

Last year, I was all set to do part of  it, and then the Dragon borked a tendon,

Foot in bucket, cookie in mouth.

which sidelined us for months.

Now, the Dragon is Officially Retired From Endurance, which frees up a bunch of time (and some money) to do Other Stuff.

Stuff like...walk across the state!

I admit:  I've been spending a lot of time this week,
browsing the blue-sky photos from last year's event.

I sent in my registration form and money yesterday.  (gulp)

Jim and I are now brainstorming ways to streamline my camp setup, since I'll need to take it down and put it back up, single-handedly almost every day for two weeks.*

The setup we use at Renegade has too many moving parts.  Practical when several people
are living there for more than a week, not-so-practical for a mobile camp.

*Several people are also interested in attending the event, but I need to be sure I can do it by myself, just in case plans change.

So far, my plan is to set up a folding cot (or build one in place) in the bed of the Reindeer.  Then I can store my clothes and bedding and stuff in the truck and not have to move it around at all.

I found a used fiberglass canopy that fits perfectly over the bed of the truck and keeps everything
snug and dry.  It's ugly, but very functional!

The ride organizers provide porta-potties at each camp, so I don't need to engineer that. 

Once my bed is figured out, the only other big pieces are the kitchen (table, chair, stove, water jugs, propane tank, kettle and pots and pans, plate and fork and cup)

Setting up camp with other people is EASY!

and Fiddle's enclosure.

The panels are sturdy, and give her plenty of room to move around, lie down, and not trip on her buckets

I already have almost everything I need, but it will all need organizing. 

And there's only two-and-a-half months to go.

WHEEEEEEEE!