MSR, crushed nail & my new babies

My bike is serviced and ready for my short trip in about 3 weeks. No, I haven't packed yet, but I know what I need to bring. I'm thinking of not bringing any tools to cut down weight, but I do need a couple of cameras, my small laptop and various chargers. My plan is to pack all this stuff and see if I have any room left for clothes. I'm thinking 2 or 3 pairs of shorts, one convertible pants and 3 T-shirts. Plus tank tops, 3 underwear and a few pairs of socks, sandals and my trademark Crocs©. The difference this year is that I will be bringing camping equipment for emergencies; Tent, pad, sleeping bag and my new MSR Whisperlite stove



As you know, I'm not one to open new 'stuff'. My new; helmet, Bluetooth communicator, JR Alter Ego jacket & Tourmaster Flex pants are all new just waiting for me to use them. My AlpineStar* riding boots I bought last August and I have only worn them once or twice. But I thought I had better figure out how to use my new liguid fuel MSR stove. I bought the MSR Whisperlite Universal which is multifuel and can also use Canister Gas. I read that Unleaded Canadian gasoline is NOT recommended for use in this stove due to the gas formulation and I didn't want to ruin my new stove, so I just happened to spot a used MSR Whisperlite internationale for sale on Craigslist, so I snapped it up



This is the old design as you notice from the wire legs. The new ones have pressed Stainless legs. Anyway mission accomplished. I managed to set it up and boil a pot of water in mere minutes using MSR Superfuel.

I'm really not that clumsy but early in May I managed to crush my finger and my nail turned black



I thought that the blood clot would clear up in a few days, when when I went to Victoria a couple of weeks later, Dr Dar told me that she thought my nail would come off. I thought to myself "how would she know", but she did and she was 100% right



The new nail is pushing the top one



The last week or so the nail was catching on my clothes and I knew if it ripped off it would hurt immensely, so I started to trim it



I would imagine it will take a few more weeks before it looks normal again. Then about a week ago I closed my car door on my right finger. I missed the nail but my finger swelled up for a couple of days and is almost normal, except for a scab where it was bleeding.

On my prev post I mentioned that we had a new bird nest in our carport area which I found while trying to clean it up. The tiny eggs looked like they only hatched a day before. I tried to make "chirping" noises but I think they can't hear yet. Then I decided to "tap" the wood and they must have sensed the vibrations. I think it's neat to see those little beaks searching for food . . .