Plans Change, Excitement Builds, Adventure Awaits!

Mary Oliver, Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne, Cather, Kerouac, and others, too!

Nauset Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore.

In the pre-dawn dark, I am comforted three times over. Between the snores of Samwise and Emily and the pounding rain on our metal roof, I am blessed with coziness this Monday.

There is nothing good about 24 hours of December rain, especially with all the snow in the mountains—we are currently under an areal flood watch. Nevertheless, all feels right since we are safe and warm inside.

We took a last walk atop the packed trail early yesterday. Then the heavens opened. I can't imagine how deep the slush is. It will be akin to walking through stew until it freezes, so we’ll have to figure something else out.

At least the latest weather twist made our deliberations easy.

There was the initial desire to stay home until New Year's Day. We moved our departure up to Christmas Day, when our training walks were hindered by more snow. And now?

And now—we leave in nine days, and the flow of excitement and adrenaline courses through me when I consider how much t…