The only way to lead off this inaugural MarrowTrek post is with a huge Thank You.

We are blown away by the collective generosity of everyone who has offered support. Early this week, we passed our initial goal of $5 per mile in pledges and donations, and we haven't even set foot on the trail yet! It was beyond our grandest expectations.

After a week of cooking, packing, roof repairs, a goofy car accident, and trips to nearly every store in Albuquerque, it is time to hit the trail and start making good on our pledges!

Our backpacks, weighing in at a comfortable 30 pounds, are packed with four days of food, after which point we hope to be in Lordsburg, New Mexico -- the site of our first resupply.

Whistler and Scooter are ready too -- they have been introduced to their new dog packs, dog shoes and the several hundred pounds of food we expect them to eat during the course of the adventure. They are very excited, even though they have no idea quite why.

We'll post again wherever the next computer shows up, hopefully with a few pictures from the treks first days.

Best to you all. Again, thank you for your support.