The camino pack list!

 With many many  days of procrastination, only 3 left, I finally put all my belongings together in my backpack.  Inside my Osprey KYTE 36 L,  this is what I will be taking on my adventures on the Camino to Santiago .  total weight with water bottle full is 15lbs.

ultralight packing cubes.  All clothes go into white. all socks and undies in a green. and one green for dirty laundry!

This is my clothing list,  from top left to right.  1-lululemon sports bra 2-lulu tshirts (1 purple one grey) 1- long sleeve light merino wool shirt, 1-firmawear tank top (to sleep in as well) 1-northface fleece zip up hoodie, 1- unlined lulu pants, 1-merino wool long underwear (to possible sleep in as well) 1- under armour track shorts (fitted to below the knee) 1-bicycle short (these may get tossed if I'm not feeling like I need them)  2- short merino wool socks 2- long merino wool socks.  (1 of each are double layer which means they have a built in layer on the inside to keep blisters at bay, and 2 icebreaker), 3 pair ice breaker merino underwear (each a different color), 1 very  light weight pj shorts (if its too cold for these I'll toss them as well),  1 light scarf (alpaca from equador),  1- bucket hat,  1-blue hat, cut off pair of merino sock to pull over shoes to keep the grit and stones out, 1- north face rain pants, 1 north face rain jacket, 1-hiking gloves,

The non clothing items include: 1 ultra light north 49 lil pup 80 sleeping bag, 1- light pillow case, 1-tennis ball (I need this to roll on to put ribs back in place on a regular basis), 1 bathroom bag (item listed below), 1 first aid bag,  1 set black diamond distance z poles.

I think I am most proud of this baby!

the first aid bag consists of items such as muscle relaxants, pain killers, antibiotics for a just in case, 6 immodium, 6 gravol, moleskin, 2 polysporin blister patches, the last of a small roll of medical tape just in case I need to tape any toes up. 

The bathroom bag is an ultra light "pack it system" bag with 3 sections.  section 1 holds 1- summit to sea travel towel (sz M) and soap leaves.  these are actual leaves dipped in soap.  After test trying one I realized it would last 2 showers so I cut them in half.  That way I don't have to use shampoo for soap until the leaves run out.  Section 2-  a tiny bit more moleskin, 6 denture tablets to clean my mouth guards with, a needle and thread, band aids, laundry leaves and a lg zip lock (this is my washing machine) , baby nail clippers (they weigh less), 8 safety pins (good for many uses but good to pin freshly washed clothes on top of your back pack for the day to dry).   Section 3 , deodorant that I rolled all the way out of the plastic applicator and taped lid to to cut down on weight.  I hope this isn't going to be a disaster), 2 small body glides for in between toes each day, tooth brush and mini tooth paste, spf 30 lip balm, razor that I unattached the handle from (tried this out.   Its not as hard as you think), some prescription sleep aid, and my thyroid medication, small floss, tweezers, 20 q tips (1 for every 2nd day), mini shampoo and cond 30 ml, mini hand lotion 50 ml, I put some day cream and night cream and vasaline (for rubbing on feet if needed to prevent rubbing during walking) in mini craft containers.  and last but not least for vanities sake a tiny bit of under eye make up that I put in a contact lens case.  With out it I get asked how I got my black eye or eyes.  Its 0.8 of an ounce...  Im making the exception for myself.  I put all my meds (in pill form) in mini ziplock bags with the prescription label on them.  They weigh far less than the plastic bottles they come in. 

under eye make is a must.
Check it out in the contact
lens case!!

Just look at the size difference you can make
if you down size your creams!!

Soap leaves!!! Genius

Missing from this list are my "Keen" hiking shoes, my sketchers "go walks" which will also get tossed before I get home. My iphone, cross body purse I am still in the process of trying  to brutaly sew, sun glasses, visa and debit card, I pod, ear buds, extra blistex lipbalm,water bottle,  passport and plane tickets.  Im all set, right?

 

Except that I have nothing broken in.....    

 

I need to make a couple things clear before I leave.  Here are some statements and questions that have been asked to me  in the past few weeks that I would like to answer.

#1.  Are you excited?  Are you nervous?  Oh you'll be fine your a traveler. 

I get anxiety before I go anywhere, whether its driving to Alberta with the kids, or flying to ANYWHERE. Not because Im afraid of flying. Because its scary for me to THINK about being in a place or city that I've never been to.  For some people its easy.  For me its an anxiety build up.   But one thing I have found out is that once I put that first foot forwards, once I get on that plane, or get to the place of destination, the fears just melt away.  Because I am there now, I am on the plane and can't turn back.  I cant be lost because I am where I am and in  any adventure you are a NEVERLOSTPILGRIM.      Just because Ive been to a couple places out there in the world doesn't mean its not scary to take that first step out the door.  Mindset is everything!  Let yourself be free.

#2. How can you leave your kids for 6 weeks?  (With a huge Disapproving tone)

It all comes down to one question.  What is important?  It is important for a person to not loose who they are entirely  just because they have a family.  Putting yourself first once in a while enriches your soul.  I always put my family first.  If that means that I need to take a bit of time for myself so I can be a better Mom, Im in.  There needs to be no guilt.  I would never ask my husband to never go on a hunting trip because he has a family.  Hunting is what he loves.  I believe having that outlet makes him a better husband, father, person.  Because it makes him happy.  (Did I really say that?)  What is important to me is to show my children that the world can be there for them to see if they so choose.  It is important to me to show my kids that they can do whatever they set their minds to.  That you can overcome fear and anxiety to try something new whatever that may be for them even if it scares them.  Yes I will miss them terribly.  There will be tears.  Lots of tears. But it is that important to me so I am putting that foot out the door.  They will be just fine tucked away in their own beds at home, playing with their dog, going to school, maybe getting their own breakfast and packing their own lunches for once. (Ive been an enabler for too long and it has to stop) This will not traumatize them.  It will teach them to be strong and a little bit independent and maybe a little inspired!

Thanks family for being supportive.  Love you kids!!