Firestarters, shot blocks and dehydrated beans

He's doing it!  NO doubt about that!  My Dad is walking THE one and only...Colorado Trail for those of you who don't know.  Beginning Friday morning in Durango Colorado, I am very proud to say that my dad will trek over 450 miles to home.  He will eat grainy granola and bland mushroom rice, consume 100's of shot blocks (electrolyte energy chews) and be lucky to see some of the most remote parts of Colorful Colorado.  We've already nicknamed him Mountain Man Mike, and with a 30 pound pack strapped to his back he is in for the trip of a lifetime.  The beauty and quiet moments he will endure are no match to what we've seen on our Cruise, Europe or National Geographic.  What can compare to six weeks and four days to walking the plains.  

I've decided to assign myself the position of resident blogger for my dad.  I'm very good at assigning myself, and others occasionally, to do things.  So, I've begun by capturing some various images of the long, exhausting preparation.  Here are the meals for one day:

1 cup of granola

2 ounces of dried mango

1 package of "Crunchies" dried fruit

1 package of shot blocks

1 package of Alfredo (some type of dehydrated pasta or soup)

1/3 package of Beef Jerky

1/2 cup of "Fruit and nut medley" 

1/2 cup of trail mix

1 piece of gum

1 Crystal Light hydration powder, Berry Splash flavor

1 cliff bar

1 nature valley granola bar

I know the exact quantities, well, because I packed up the food by myself :)  So, if he starves, it will be my fault.  I'm glad everyone understands that.  Now I can't blame it on Brent, bummer.

The other item that has been important to the preparation is the fire starters.  In a book Dad read he found a recipe for them.  You melt Vaseline, and them soak either lint from the dryer or cotton balls in the Vaseline.  After they are well saturated, you place them on a piece of foil and wrap them up.  Ta-da!  Your fires will start with the blink of an eye.  Here is a picture of the fire starters:

Uh, yes; that is a picture of me.  But I'd say I'm pretty close to a fire starter.  But honestly, my dad can't haul me around on his back.  Here are the next best things (neatly arranged in a smiley face of course)

  

And last but not least, here is a picture of Dad hard at work.  I'm not too sure what he is doing; I think getting his pack ready and packed.  I asked for a comment, and he had none...