//------------------------------//
// Day 0 
// Story: The Winding Northward Road 
// by Rambling Writer 
//------------------------------//

I’m leaving tomorrow.  Everything’s all set; I’ve got my tent, my sleeping bag, money, medical supplies, and a few miscellaneous tools that I may or may not need.  Not packing food; I’ll live off the land (hopefully I’ll be able to find enough stuff to eat).

Still wondering if this is a good idea.  I’ve never gone for so much as a long walk before, and now I’m going all the way to the Crystal Empire?  Ten bits says I’m going to chicken out halfway there and take the train back.  Well, actually, halfway there might be stretching it a bit.

But still, I’m going to try it.  I can’t just sit here on my rump for the rest of my life without seeing something of Equestria outside of pictures.  Nobody should.  Lareindo’s fine and all, but it’s all I’ve known my whole life.  I need a change of scenery for a little while.  I need to get out, see the world before I get too old.  Don’t think I’ll be one of those healthy old types, either, that can climb Mt. McKinskey no problem.  I’ll be one of those that sits around all day.  But with luck, I’ll be one of those types that sits around all day while talking about cool stuff that happened to me when I wasn’t an old coot.

So here I go.  An inexperienced pony trekking all across Equestria just because I’m a bit bored with home and want to go for a bit of a walk.  This can only end well.

Wish me luck.