Getting Ready to Go

I'm finally all packed up now after spending the last couple of weeks with friends, sorting insurance and travel plans, and preparing to store my belongings. I had made it back to Vegas to find all my gear for my trip waiting for me to test out. Naturally, I wanted to test it in conditions that would push the limits of what I would experience on my trip. I decided that I would go with my buddy Steve to climb Mt. Charleston in an overnight backpacking trip. Weighing in at 11,916 ft, and a trail length of around 20 miles total, this hike was a great test and everything performed even better than expected. Other than that, I've been taking in the better parts of Vegas with my friends. I got to try the new Daylight Pool club at the Mandalay Bay, a couple of Miss USA parties at the Palazzo and Bellagio with a new Couchsurfer.org friend, and Freemont St. with all the old gang. I'm finally ready for the next leg of my journey... I leave for Paris tomorrow morning!

Steve and I at the peak of Mt Charleston. A very nasty infestation of stinging little flies prevented us in enjoying our victory for long...

Another beautiful desert day up in the mountains... Heading back down on our second day.

The view of Mt. Charleston from the South Rim trail looking out at the North Rim trail. It was a nice long couple of days.

Old downtown Vegas, at the new Commonwealth bar.

Commonwealth.... so classy.

My new Couchsurfing buddy Jason along with the former Ms. Washington and current Ms. Washington.