Ah yes. Tomorrow is the day that we go get college text books (I'm taking Education Psychology and Spanish 1 - again)

I should be getting my new camera (prep for next week) and I'd better be getting my new backpack (also prep)

Possibly on Tuesday (or maybe even Monday night depending on what else happens) we may head over to the "big lake" (Michigan) and sit on the beach for a day (and take the camper and spend the night!

Sunday is the fun trip. I'm getting the new backpack because we're heading up to South Manitou Island for a couple of nights. This involves carrying everything we'll need for a three-day, two-night trip. I desperately want to keep my pack under 35 pounds, thus the desire (not need) for a new, smaller, lighter camera - and pack. There's water on the island, so we don't have to pack gallons of it. But Amanda refuses to share a tent with me, so we each have to carry our own tent (5 pounds down). And the pack is 3.5 pounds. Sleeping bag is 4 pounds. That's nearly 15. Add water, clothing, food, water, first aid kit, etc., etc...

Here's the list so far

Clothing

• boots / hiking shoes
• fleece (if cold weather)
• hat (depends on weather)
• jacket (what type depends on weather)
• long pants (or sweats)
• shorts
• socks (2 pair per day)
• light shirt(s)
• rain gear
• undies
• swim suit (if needed)
• "super towel"
• flip-flops for wearing around camp

Cooking / Water

• cleaning supplies (dishes and body - baby wipes might work)
• fire starter / matches / wind proof lighter
• cooking gear
• stove and fuel
• eating utensils
• water canisters and purification system
• hydration pack (Tom has one, but for a short trip is not needed)

Gear

• Pack and cover (don't forget to put the car keys in a very safe place)
• headlamp / flashlight (one per person)
• knife
• map / compass / gps
• small shovel

Personal stuff / toiletries / first aid

• cell phone (even if you can't get a signal, it's a timepiece and alarm clock)
• ipod (a small luxury)
• toothbrush / toothpaste (1 tube for group)
• face moisture
• body moisture
• trial size deoderant
• biodegradable soap
• comb / ponytailers
• razer (if needed)
• chapstick
• contact case / glasses / contact solution in small kit
• sun screen
• biodegradable toilet paper
• camera (in waterproof ziplock) / spare battery pack or batteries
• book if desired or deck of cards
• first aid kid (see more of the first aid kit list)
• zip lock baggies
• list of emergency numbers (I'm the paranoid sort that laminates them and attaches them right to my pack)

Sleeping

• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad (for this trip we're sleeping on soft sand so I'm not taking a pad - unless I do really well keeping the rest of the weight down)
• tent and ground tarp
• pillow (small and lightweight)

First Aid Kit

• 10 assorted bandaids
• sm tube neosporin
• hydrocortisone cream
• moleskin
• alcohol prep pads
• 2 ace bandages
• hand sanitizer
• 4 - 4x4" gauze pads
• first aid tape
• sting-eze
• chemical cold pack
• small bottles pain reliever (anti-inflammatory)

Food (store in zip lock baggies in case of wetness)

• trail mix (make my own with almonds, m&m's and raisins - Tom likes cashews so I'll make his with those)
• beef jerkey
• energy bars (4 per person)
• add in flavor for water (gatorade or hydration type)
• laughing cow cheese (light for me)
• ramen noodles
• couscous and/or instant rice
• canned ham, small can peas (to mix into couscous)
• tuna in packets
• granola and/or oatmeal (2 breakfasts)
• powdered milk
• instant coffee or coffee bags
• dark chocolate (won't melt)
• pringles (or corn chips in a can - you can use the canister for trash carry-out)
• hot cocoa mix (SS, FF for me) - individual packets
• hunk of hard cheddar
• carrots (for first day)
• hard rolls
• peanut butter in a tube