Yes, I am going say it - THIRTEEN DAYS until I leave and TWENTY-ONE days until I start the big walk. 

But this post is about my trip and why I have to be concerned about COVID. 
Yes, I know the airlines say I don't have to wear a mask, but I WILL. 

Would you risk getting it before such an amazing trip and YES, I got another booster but would you STILL RISK IT?

And there are other factors to consider.

Elisa and Mike (of Scotland, of course) are both at risk and over 70 years of age. Mike has diabetes, Elisa has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome PLUS a few other things.

Then there is that odd Frankenvariant floating around Europe and the UK, including Scotland.

So why would I risk bringing it into their house?? 

To prevent being a carrier of "the plauge" I will wear a N95 mask during the flight over and as I pass through various airports along the way. I am also carrying the home tests provided by our government so I can test when I arrive and hopefully NOT again in case I get any symptoms after I arrive during the week I will be with them before I start the walk. 

I will carry and use a mask while in pubs and restaurants while on the hike and I will use a home test again when I return to their home for the final 2 weeks of the visit.

While I am in Edinburgh I will again use my mask while I am in museums, galleries, and restaurants this will also ensure that I do not have a positive test result since I have to take a test 24 hours before I head back to the USA.

Then of course I will wear as mask on said return flight so I don't bring anything home to shop elf.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTY IMAGES

​FIFTEEN DAYS until I depart and yes I have started to stress

• Can I actually walk that much over 9 days?
• Will everything fit in my luggage?
• Am I taking too much or am I not taking enough?
• What if I get hurt while on the walk (I do have travel insurance)
• What if I get COVID???
  
• What if the weird variant floating around Europe causes another lockdown?

Today I tackled packing of the suit case. A week or so ago, I laid out all the clothing I will need and/or want for the trip. If you want to know what that is read all my posts regarding the various kits. 

I need a small suitcase/duffel to hold my clothing for the nights on the walk (this is being shuttled each day) and so I figured I would use this case as my carry on bag. this bag would have during the flight(s) to and fro my electronics, a change of clothing, travel papers, a home Covid test to verify I did not pick anything up during the trip as well as a mask with a N95 filter; some water and snacks. 

Then I need a suitcase for all the clothing and gear AND other present I am taking across the pond for Elisa and Mike.  I can't just shove everything into the backpack and check that as there is much historical data on packs getting destroyed due to straps getting caught in belts and/or the bag getting ripped due to mishandling. Oh,  I can't use the pack as my carry on as it exceeds those dimensions. 

​I have a large suitcase that I have used for my trips to Scotland, in the past so I was hoping that if I tightened all the straps and lessened the back panel, the pack could fit into the suitcase and maybe even have some smaller items in it. 

IT WORKED - on the right hand side of the case is the pack, my walking stick, some clothing, and other small items that fit around the pack as well as the Covid tests (CDC approved) which I have to take before I return. On the left hand side I was able to fit all the other clothing and hiking boots. What's nice is the suitcase closes easily so any last minute items will easily fit inside. 

The bonus round is that my carry on bag is also not stuffed to the brim. 

In this post I will talk about not getting lost or at least staying "on track" on the trail and letting people know where I am and to keep me safe. 

For the past few months I have been doing training walks. I have been using a free website called Plot-A-Route to not only plan my walks but to generate the gpx (GPS) file to load into my GPS map reader (more on this later). You can then share a link or print the map, to share with others so they can see your route.  This route, shown below is a 9 mile walk I planned several weeks ago and was walking it when I realized my shoes were too small so I had to be picked up 8 miles into the walk.

 Once you have a gpx file, you can load it on to your a free standing GPS (like a Garmin) or your phone as there are many apps that can read GPS files or even generate a gpx based upon where you went. Note: These are not just for walking/hiking, motosports, driving even flying can use these.  It should be noted that there are several apps out there that have the major trails as part of a library you can download and use.

I started with one app that just read the gpx file and I was using another app to track - both were free and I was learning to use them but then I found an app called A-GPS Tracker that not only did both had a nice feature where you can load a gpx and then tell it to alert you when you go "off track". This is good for when you are walking but not constantly looking at your phone; it is a rather large alarm!

The app can display different types of maps so you can see elevation, satellite, and the statistics as shown below; it is by checking that Monitor box that it will alert you to when you go off trail.

The next bit of tech to use is a GPS emergency monitor. Several types exist but I went with the SPOT system because I was able to pick up a used one. I have the SPOT Gen3 which allows me to send 2 messages (txt or email), an SOS or I need help but it's not a major emergency; there are newer version that allow 2-way live texting. 

​Here is a sample text message I sent yesterday morning before my 9 mile walk.

 And to finish off, here are some pictures from yesterday's walk with my support animal - Bunny Bravehart.