The LONG week.  Print out the lists of things needed for the hunt.  The list for the camper, the list for the truck, the list for the atv, the list of hunting needs, the list of food.

Gather up what you can of each of the lists and place them where they will be easy and quick to get to and load up.  Load what you can, but there are always a ton of things that will have to be done at the last minute.

When is the last minute?  7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

I can’t pack the tools as I might need them to repair something in the house.  I can’t pack the last of the groceries as they need to be put in the refrigerator or the ice chest just before leaving.  I can’t pack the chain saw and gas, or propane, or camp chef grill box as the truck they need to be put in won’t be here to hook up to the trailer until 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday.  I can’t set it all out by the trailer because someone might come along and steal it.  Stack it neatly and out of the way from our normal living areas.

What’s normal this time of year?  This is normal!  So why not just stack the stuff everywhere, be it in the way or not.  This is the longest week of the year.  The week before the hunt.  Today is Monday, only one more Monday before the hunt.  Tomorrow is Tuesday and then the next Tuesday is when we leave for the hunt.  The longest week is a mis-nomer.  It should be the longest year.

I’ve checked the list of things twice today.  I’ve gotten everything ready, I think.  I better go check the list again.  What did I forget?  Oh, I almost forgot the kippers…write them down.  NO!  NO!  Go get them and put them with the chips and buns, they don’t need to be refrigerated.  Got some candy.  Well, it’s last years Halloween candy, but it will be ok for those who are going to be eating it.  Hard Tootsie Rolls…yum.  It takes longer to eat them this way.  What about this Charleston Chew?  It could be used as a tent stake if we need it.

Let’s see, where is the list for the clothes I need to take?  I haven’t made it.  I will make the list…let’s see, change of pants, underwear, socks, extra shoes…that’s it.  THAT’S IT?  Why have a list for that?  Just gather them up and put them in the trailer.  Good Grief.  Well, that’s something I don’t have to worry about at the last minute.

I can’t put my rifle and possibles in the trailer yet, someone might come along in the middle of the night and pilfer through things and take it.  Nope, another last minute thing.  Golly, it’s already 5 p.m. on Monday, only one long week left to wait.  I can’t put the water in the jugs yet.  I can’t load up the ice chests.

I’ve checked the truck chains at least twice for broken links and extra chains.  We are good there.  What’s the long range weather forecast?  Hot and dry with some cooling.  But that forecast ends Sunday and there is still two more days after that before we leave.  Forget that forecast.  We will check again tomorrow.

Flint and steel kit with fresh char…check!  Hydration pack…check!  GPS with fresh batteries….check!  Flashlight with fresh batteries….check on the flashlight….mark on the “to buy list”, AA Batteries…

The longest week!

Bears Butt

Sept. 17, 2012