Finally, an update!

I thought I would finally update the blog to commemorate the purchasing of our tickets. We both have purchased one way tickets to Buenos Aires leaving January 10th. It was a very hard decision trying to determine if I wanted a one-way or a round-trip ticket. I hem and hawed for a while, made a decision to get a one-way, and then hem and hawed some more. We both agreed that we wanted to attempt getting back home without flying. That would mean bussing and hitchhiking through Central America after getting done traveling through South America.

The general "plan" right now is to travel south from Buenos Aires to Tierra Del Fuego (at the southern tip). After that we will very gradually work our way north. I'm hoping to see every country in South and Central America. However, I don't know how feasible that is and I don't know what God has in store for us. One thing I have a feeling I will personally battle through out this trip, is making this journey about God and not me. I don't want to get so caught up in trying to see everything that I miss seeing God and his call to me. Please pray that the Lord will continue to humble me to put things in the proper perspective.

Over these past 4 months, I have made a few trip purchases at REI. I bought an ultra-lightweight tent (3 lbs.) that fits very small in my tent (6 x 9 inches). I also have a new 32 degree down sleeping bag. I decided to go with down over synthetic because its lighter and fits a lot smaller. One drawback, however, is that it won't work if it gets wet so I'm going to have to be anal about keeping it dry. I also bought a sleeping bag liner which will add 10 degrees of warmth to my sleeping bag. I can fit both into the sleeping bag stuff sack (6 x 10 inches). I have already tested this new gear backpacking and it's amazing how much lighter my pack is! I can actually take a day-hike type pack backpacking now! That is so much easier than lugging around a 50 lb. pack like I did in the old days.

Lastly, I'm hoping to set up a website dedicated to this trip rather than using this blog. Right now this is just an idea. I don't know the feasibility of running a website through internet cafes and hostels but I thought it would be a lot easier to be able to share our journey with people. Does anybody have ideas regarding the potential website? I think the blog is too limited in what it can do but, then again, I probably just don't know enough ;)

What would be on the website?

• a map showing our route
• a link with pictures
• comment page
• journal entries from yours truly
• a donations page
• mission statement
• any other ideas?