Beginning.

All right, I leave the house at five tomorrow morning. I've assembled my kit, but it's not packed up yet. I figure this is as good a time as any to start this blog. Its purposes:

1) I can remember what I did on my trip after my brain's stuffed full of medicine.
2) My parents can keep tabs on me.
3) I can tell stories without filling up my friends' inboxes.

So tonight my friend Annett is coming over to tell me the best places to go while I just pack my:

daypack, ski boots, snowboard boots, ski goggles, helmet, hats, Red Sox cap, scarf, ski socks, thermals, gloves, rock shoes, hiking boots, regular shoes, running shoes, coats, winter clothes, all manner of synthetic athletic clothing, fleece jacket, socks & unders, swimsuit, compass, headlamp, water bottle, camera, phone, mp3 player, sunglasses, sleep sack, towel, toiletries, sunscreen, power adapter, Eurail pass, passport, Swiss visa, map of Europe, and health & travel insurance.

I think that's good enough. Let's hope these entries get more interesting as I go.