Decisions, Decisions

They say the entire Oregon Trail was littered with discarded debris. True to human nature, Americans heading West, quite simply - overpacked. Faced with future uncertainties - both real and imagined - these early pioneers found it difficult to separate what was truly needed from what was simply wanted. Do we take this? Do we leave that? Many people found these choices difficult and as a result, wagons creaked and groaned as straining oxen began moving slowly forward. Over the miles, by necessity, old choices would be revisited, "Do we discard the chest of drawers, toss the family china, or abandon the dear grandmother we love?" Tough decisions with real consequences.

Yesterday I packed the trailer I will be transporting with all the items I wish to take. As I live but five miles from school and it is fairly flat, I figured that this would serve as a good trial run giving me a proper "feel" for what it will be like to haul my supplies and gear. Well, I must confess that both man and machine strained under the load! As I walked to work in the growing heat I thought much about the high deserts of Oregon and Idaho, and the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.

Returning home at the end of the day, it began to rain - a little at first but this soon turned into a downpour. My rain gear, being in the bottom of my supplies, was forsaken and I decided to bear the wet. Soon "soaked to the bone" each passing car seemed only to add insult to injury by providing an additional drenching. Arriving home tired and wet, I found it a chore to haul the fully laden cart up the driveway and into the garage - so much for the Rocky Mountains!

Like the pioneers of old - I have some important decisions to make.

Sure hope Grandma is doing well.