Training camp is right on the horizon, only a mere day and a half away. So close I can almost taste it. Yet my mindset seems to be that its still distant. That it still is a bit away. But guess what; it ain't.
This morning I left my house near Edgar, Wisconsin for the first segment of my travel down to training camp. I made a quick detour to Fond du Lac to pick up Tara, and immersion-goer who I met in Oklahoma City last month, and we both safely have made it to our first stop in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon a failed attempt to efficiently locate a nearby campground to spend the night at, we have checked in at a hotel. Here we will meet up with a squad member of mine, Kayla, and head to Knoxville tomorrow to pick up Libby, another squad member. Than saturday we will make our way to the training camp location in Georgia.
So far, the trip has gone really well. In contrast to the ride down to Oklahoma City (I drove alone), in which metal music such as Megadeth, Iron Maiden and Job For a Cowboy blasted through the speakers, this ride was mostly filled with good conversation and laughter. Even though the drive today lasted around 11 hours for me, it seemed to go by fast. We also ate at Chik Fil A tonight, for Tara's first time and only the second time for myself, which is always a bonus. And for added bonus, Kayla came and met us there…the first member of my squad who I've met in person! Exciting? I think so! We also set up Tara's tent in the hotel room since she had yet to try putting it up; we figured if she can set it up in the confines of a hotel room she shouldn't have an issue doing it outdoors. After a bit of confusion and thought, we got it set all set up. Now she just has to remember how to do it again on saturday.
I had packed my bag on tuesday night, and it only took 1 try! Everything I wanted to bring fit, with a decent amount of space is left over. I know some complain about not getting everything to fit, but man is it inconvenient to have left over space – I just don't know what to do with it all. Though really shouldn't be joking about that, the saved space comes from the fact that I didn't pack a raincoat – so most likely the joke will be on me.
So with another day down, I'm one more revolution from training camp. Pretty boss I'd say, this world race thing is becoming more and more real every day; or should I say every hour? I'm on the brink of meeting people I've been waiting months to, to get a feel for AIM and what they have in store for us. I feel all ready yet horribly unprepared, eager yet reserved, and satisfied though I hunger. Its really a bit of a complex feeling I am experiencing, which is rather out of the ordinary for me, as I'm typically found to be emotionally monotonous. I like it, but at the same time its confusing. I guess I'll just roll with it…what else am I gonna do?
So now it's getting to be time to rest to prepare for another good drive tomorrow. If God can get me to STL, He can get my to Knoxville and to training camp. So let's do this.
