The Owl has been with us for over 15 years! For the ten years we flew our Cessna 182 around it was on every single flight and, if the kids were with us, they made a ritual of kissing it on the head before we took off --- especially Keith (how's that for embarassing? ;-) ..
The Owl went with us on every hike and on every significant bike ride -- residing in a special place in Tina's pack. Then last year it was with Tina on every step of her Appalachian Trail thru hike and it has always been with her this year too -- as she hiked and as she rode with me on the bike.
Since this year we were going to spend so much time apart we decided we needed a mascot just for me. Thus, "The Turtle" -- which has now ridden with me from Mexico to Canada and has its own dedicated place in my panniers.
So that's it! It's not the bike, the tent, the pack, or the ice axe -- it's the The Turtle and The Owl that are our most important "equipment". ;-)
Okay, back to our regular programming.
/David :-)