Re: the filter bottle, I'm not generally too picky about water, so I'm just taking some small powder mixes to help cover up any bad taste in the water. I don't mind a little grit either. Hopefully I won't regret my decision. Given current finances, I'm trying to do this with as minimal an additional investment in equipment as necessary for now... I'll keep that suggestion in mind, though.

I think the quiet miles are the ones I'm most looking forward to. It'll be nice to bet out of "civilization" for a while on some of the more remote stretches of the towpath. FWIW, in case anyone's remotely interested, I started a CGOAB journal here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/MyFirstOvernighter

The commute last night was nice. Swung by the property management company office to drop off the rent check, so I got a different route and 2.5 extra miles out of that.

The ride in this morning was nice. The heat and humidity are back for sure, but it appears to be for only a couple days this time.