As part of my whole minimalist thing, I made a risky move today--dumped the tent...shipped it on home...among a bunch of other superfluous items. I really needed to make some space for extra water as I begin my move across North Dakota where one does not find frequent water fountains or anything else for that matter.

I feel like I'm bare bones now, but no doubt I'll keep stripping until I'm down to the marrow.

It was a good tent

There is some anticipated regret in this plan, naturally, but relative to the anticipated relief of dropping the tent's space and weight, I believe this will utlimately be a wise reduction.

We'll see.

...and, yes, I have a decent bivy sack.

Departing Helena in the a.m., in Bozeman by 7/11 and Billings by 7/13. About 250 miles...still on a relatively light schedule. The intensity draws up as I get on past Bismarck and toward Fargo.