Care Packages

I would love to get letters and care packages from you!  I am going to include a ridiculous amount of instructions here -- but I am NOT trying to scare you.  I'm just trying to make sure I actually get whatever it is that you send.  Picking up mail on trail is a little more involved than walking to the end of the driveway -- imagine going over the creek, through the woods, and then hitching a ride with grandma to the general store (who may be holding my box for a $5 ransom).  And then reversing the whole operation.  (These instructions will also work for sending my hiking companion, Melissa, a care package.)

Here's what you need to know:


Letters

I love snail mail.  And inspirational quotes.  These can be mailed First Class (normal, regular mail.)


Boxes

* * * NOTE:  It may be easiest to let my package person divvy up and incorporate your goods into my regular maildrops.  Read "When to Send" at the bottom for his contact information! * * * 

These can mostly be mailed via Priority Mail through the US Post Office (although some locations ONLY take UPS*.)  IF you send a box via First Class or Parcel Post, I probably won't get it.  Don't believe the Post Office employees when they tell you they can have a Parcel Post box to me a week to 10 days from now.  It's not true.

Mailing Instructions:

• Write my name on all sides of the box in black marker.
• Write "HOLD FOR PCT HIKER.  ETA:  (my estimated arrival date)."  
• Check your mailing method.  Some maildrop locations ONLY take UPS.  I'll note these in my resupply list.  If you send a USPS Priority Mail box to a UPS address, I won't get it!
• Do not use FedEx.  Or First Class or Parcel Post.
• Please make sure that I DO NOT have to sign for a box..
• Email me and let me know to expect your box!  I may need to ask for it in order to receive it.
• Boxes need to be well-timed.  See "When to Send" below.

Some locations are just not good locations to send care packages -- mostly places where there is a holding fee and where the PO's are too tiny to take extra packages.  I've made notes about these places in my spreadsheet.  When in doubt, give them a call!


What to Send

What should you put in a box?  Care packages don't have to be huge.  Food is good.  Food, notes from you, food, newspaper clippings, food, new music/books on tape for my mp3 player, food, quotes, and food are all things I like.  Here's a list:

• I love Snickers, Charleston Chews, and Heath Bars.  I also love sour gummies.
• I love jerky.  Any kind.  Spicy is good.  I like to sweat when I eat.  
• Mt. House meals are welcome.  I didn't buy any . . . too pricey for 5 months!
• I like Fritos.  Salty snacks are good.  Spicy is good.  Durable is good.
• I am carrying a little mp3 player.  It takes mircoSDHC chip.  I'd love new books and NPR podcasts to listen to.  Nothing depressing and nothing scary.  Think Harry Potter fun and John Muir inspirational.
• I love quotes.  They help me stay centered and motivated.  Quotes about the peace of the night help me sleep.
• Socks.  I don't have my favorite pair yet.  I'm game to try anything.  And I'll be eating holes through them like a mad-hiker.  I wear a women's size 6.5.
• Notes.  Thousands of miles away from any of my many homes.  Tell me about what's going on!  It'll make me cry, but I'll be happy.  :)

What NOT to Send:

What should you not put in a care package?  Anything illegal to send.  And anything that I would have to carry.  If you send cute little stuffed animals, toys, or books, I'll have to send those home, 'cause I can't take them on the trail with me.

Also, a few foods on the strongly dislike list:  Celery, raisins, frozen peas, and most granolas. (I know, I know, I'm supposed to love it.  But I don't.  Too sweet!  And I was forced to eat it once for 77 trail days.  Yuck.)  My belly does not love too much dairy.


When to Send:

I do not have firm dates for when I'll be at specific locations.  If I say that I'll be someplace on June 5, it's possible that I will get there a couple of days early, like June 3, or a couple of days late, like June 7.  Or I could be off by a week or more.  Plans are never set in stone on the trail; so, it's a good idea to plan for your box to get to the town a couple of days earlier than my scheduled ETA.  If you're planning on sending me something, I suggest you contact:

Guy Rodrigue
816-519-8635 (preferred), 503-873-8681 ext. 35 (work)

rodrigue_guyc@yahoo.com (preferred), guy.rodrigue@state.or.us (work)

He'll know about where I am and when.  The easiest route for you may actually be to send your package to Guy, and he can incorporate it into a regular maildrop.  Or, if you live in the Valley, drop it off at his house or the Park!

* * * FOR MELISSA * * *
Melissa (my hiking companion's) package person is my mom; she's in Iowa.  Here's how to contact her for assistance with sending Melissa packages:

Gail Brown

319-573-0951 (cell), 319-535-5945 (work)

brown.gail@gmail.com

Where to Send:


Here's my updated resupply point list, complete with estimated dates of arrival, shipping addresses, and shipping notes.

DBK's PCT Resupply List




Thanks for reading this far!  If you're reading this, you're probably a detailed oriented person.  Watch out, I'll recommend you for helping others with packages and food pack-outs!