July 18

Today the hikers complete the final packing for the start early in the morning. They go out to eat obscene amounts of carbohydrates including lasagna, garlic cheese bread, ice cream and cake.

Nosebleeds from the dry climate have not yet begun.

The villainous weight scale has been deserted on the basement floor, still blinking "Too heavy, Too heavy."

It is an early night for the East Coast member of the team. Coyotes howl in her dreams. She looks for her hands in the dream world, finds them applying eyeliner and rouge to her face. She's ready for discovery. She has her leatherman. She laughs a laugh that only a mother could love, and even then...