Backpack mods

With a month left until my JMT trek, I made some modifications to my backpack based on my recent shakedown cruise.

• I added padding to the shoulder straps.  The original design calls for stuffing extra socks into the straps.  I never liked that but the straps dug into my shoulders pretty good.  So I cut some strips from an old foam pad and inserted them into the hollow straps.
• Along with the padding, I added a small sternum strap to relive some the pressure.  This is useful since I will be using poles and therefore couldn't make full use of the thumb straps.
• Inspired by Stick's water bottle holders, I first added some daisy chains to the front of the shoulder straps.  I then made two of the bottle holders to attach to the loops.  This will allow better access to water, especially since I do not carry bladder tubes.

These mods add some weight but increase comfort immensely, which is a good tradeoff in my book.

Weekend Activities Bonus Edition

•  Bengt competed in his first USSD karate tournament

• Jaya finished her first year of high school
• Bengt earned Star rank at the final Troop 774 Court of Honor

• Bengt was elected patrol leader
• Bengt tested for green belt (a big week for the guy)
• Early Father's Day trip to the zoo went awry due to us not know the hours, but we ended up at Liberty Station and Smash Burgers
• Jaya started her running training
• Walks with the dog at the lagoon and Cardiff
• Moonlight Beach!

Books

• A Year in the Cuyamacas by Leland Fetzer – a Mayle-esque diary of living in the Cuyamaca Mountains
• Science and Religion by Prof. Lawrence M. Principe – a very compelling discussion on the very misunderstood interaction of science and religion
• San Diego County Place Names, A To Z (Adventures in the Natural History and Cultural Heritage of t) by Leland Fetzer – explanations of the many of the place names in San Diego county, very nice