At Home

After a mostly non-eventful but very long trip home, I made it safely to Anchorage. And with my luggage, too!  Of course, the luggage contents had been messed with by TSA, and the re-packing job was apparently subcontracted to some angry apes who just shoved stuff back in the bags. Strangely, I did not feel any safer after they checked my luggage. Or after they checked anyone else's luggage either. 

The jet lag is killer coming back from Kyrgyzstan. No matter how late I stay up, I still wake up every morning between 3:30 and 4:30. Scout also wakes up then because I am up, and she demands to be fed. This throws her schedule off all day, which generally results in a confrontation over her evening meal, which she demands in the early afternoon, and then again in the early evening. Regardless, it is wonderful to be home and getting some rest, which Scout helps me with by sleeping on my lap. 

On the trip, I lost about 15 pounds (7 kilos) and more than two inches off my waist. This requires new trousers and underwear. I didn't think the latter would be necessary, but quickly learned that properly fitting underwear is a good thing. Let your imagination run wild. . .

I came home with 115 pounds of gear.  As I have been cleaning and sorting the gear, I have identified 11 pounds (so far) that will not be going back with me when I return. As an example, I saved almost three pounds by cutting excess weight in my kitchen, as well as cutting the volume by at least half. I nested a SnowPeak 900 in a SnowPeak 1400, with a SnowPeak 700 cup thrown in. Less than a pound. Left at home two plates, a bowl, a pot and a tea kettle, and the frying pan I never use. And the pods for the coffee, sugar, salt and pepper. They will get zip locks next year.  My goal is to take less than 100 pounds back with me. 85 pounds would be just about right. 

I still have to tackle the tool and spare parts kit, but I need to finish some garage reorganization first. That should be done in a week or so. I also have an idea for a tool kit to mount to the inside of the right rear luggage rack I need to work on, as well as modifying some brake and clutch levers to take back with me. I want shorter ones, but I can't find them, so I will have to modify some. 

Over the next several weeks, I will also write some more thoughts, post some more pictures, and develope the plan for the return trip. We're not done yet, folks, so check back from time to time. One thing I will do is post a map that shows the entire route on it, for those who have been asking. I also hope to post some maps of particular days, with info such as elevation changes as well. 

Romaniac wants pictures of Lake Issykul, so I must go back. There is nothing worse than an angry Romaniac on your trail.