A few weeks back I sent in my Brunton compass for repairs. I actually wore it out after 10+ years of use. Turns out that it was easier for Brunton to send me a new and it just arrived. It looks sharp and exactly like my old one did 10 years ago. Great customer service! Thanks Brunton!

The UPS man brought a big box of shoes to my door today. I bought five pairs of Vasque Breeze Low GTX shoes to use on the NCT during the winter. I will be wearing wool hiking socks along with Outdoor Research gators to keep the snow out. Once I stop moving at the end of the day I’ll remove the walking shoes and put on comfy-warm down booties for around camp to let my feet relax.  I’m pretty excited to start breaking in these shoes over the next three months months. Only THREE months left then I’m gone!

I have been so busy working lately! I am sorry that I haven’t been posting this week but I ordered a bunch of new gear and had to pay for it some how. But I finished up the painting job and actually got out to have a real good time with my friend Greg Maino from www.juskuz.com. We hiked around the Baraga Plains and Sturgeon River Gorge area where I was raised. It really felt good to get outside and have  a whole day to play.  The fall colors are almost at their peak this week so  the landscape was purdy to say the least. Here are a couple snap shots of the day that Greg took.

I don’t have much time to write tonight but I figured I better let you know what I am up to. Today I started  working on an exterior painting job.  I spent the day scraping and sanding window trim.  The work should last for about 4 days I think. Then on Friday, the man who agreed to buy my truck is coming over to pay in full and take it home.  I’m really excited about this weeks events because they will take a dent out of the trek funding. Well I gotta take the dog out for a night hike and then wash this lead paint dust off of me before bed time. More in soon.

-Samuel