Tag Archive: packing

1. Eight More Days: Packing Run-Through

   May 1, 2011 3:35 PM Comments Off on Eight More Days: Packing Run-Through

   Were you getting anxious about the Packing for our trip to Portugal? I hope I haven’t waited too long to tell you I have completed my Packing Run-Through. And boy am I glad I did, because the Packing Run-Through made it painfully clear that I needed some more tops and bottoms. The Packing Run-Through sent me off on a shopping trip to fill in some blanks in the wardrobe.

   I started the Packing Run-Through a few weeks ago but got distracted and put it on hold. In the interim, John made some funny additions to my packing list. Ha ha ha. I wish!

   Today I picked up where I left off and completed the Packing Run-Through. I don’t know what it’s like packing at your house, but here’s what it’s like at my house.

   

   John “writes in” some items on my list.

    

   

   Kitty really does want to come to Portugal

   Here’s the final list of what I am taking. I have 12 dresses so far. John mentioned I should probably pack more. He’s a good man.

   

   Final Packing List

2. Preparing for Portugal

   April 18, 2011 2:15 PM 1 Comment

   I’m starting the 22 day countdown to our departure for Portugal. Behind the scenes we have been very busy preparing last details not only for this 2 week trip, but also for the 6 weeks I will be in Vermont and Minnesota come June and July. My departure for cooler climes only a week after we return Stateside means a bit of additional pressure, especially in the dog sitting department. And the what should I wear department.

   There’s another particularly good reason we’ve been busy. We are doing two races during our trip so we need to make sure we’re in running shape. On May 14 we will be running the Madeira Island Ultra Trail 25K , which is a 15.5 mile run that starts at Achada Grande (Fonte do Bispo) at about 3000 feet elevation, and drops to sea level at Porto Moniz. In addition to making sure we can hack it, we need to gather the following items that are required by the race director:

   – Thermal blanket;
   – 2 Light (head or hand), with batteries reserve;
   – Mobile phone with Roaming and with enough battery;
   – Camel Bak, bottles or other means to carry water, with a minimum capacity of 1 litre;
   – Food reserve in case of emergency;
   – Whistle
   – Rain cover jacket
   – Pants covering minimum knees

   

   On the trail at Madeira Island 25K

   Then on May 22 we’ll be running the Duoro Valley Half Marathon, in the UNESCO world heritage site at Foz do Rio Douro. We’ll run along the valley with gorgeous views of port country. Yes, that’s port the wine.

   

   Running along the Douro Valley in the heart of Port Country.

   We’re really looking forward to our active vacation. And don’t worry, there will be plenty of eating to fuel our activity.