Hey folks! It's almost time to start my journey. Today is my last day at Microsoft and Saturday, I begin the ride. (Right after Ultimate practice of course)
I didn't do any documentation of my preparations, boooo. But, really, it was a lot of reading and shopping and packing and cleaning. Not much material for an exciting blog post.
I have been working on a post about why I'm going. Maybe I'm working on it too hard since I haven't just wrapped it up and published it. I think I will commit to finishing and posting it before I leave. Might be interesting to compare the why before and the why after.
I plan to spend my first night at Twanoh State Park. They have some "primitive" campsites (no parking for cars) that I'm hoping won't be taken before I get there. It's a holiday weekend, so I'm a tiny bit worried, but hey, maybe I'll get to try out stealth camping on my very first night!
It's been a bitter-sweet last few weeks here. Many friends saying they loved having me here and they hope I come back soon. Many thoughts of things I wanted to do and never did while I was here. It's very different than my last two goings away... (Modesto & Chico) I suppose part of it is that I didn't throw myself a going away party the last two times. Give people a bunch of free booze and look what happens! Nah, it's probably not the booze... maybe 40% booze, 40% genuine care and concern, 35% love and 20% not good at math.
If you're curious about my routes and love staring at google maps, here's a great site by a guy named Steve just for YOU. I'll be hooking up with the Pacific Coast route first. Then, a side shot over to Chico through the Mendocino Pass. Down to Modesto to see the rents and the grand rents. Then back to the coast route, stopping to see Scott in Alameda, of course. On down to San Diego where I get to see Uncle Johnathan, Easy and Hard. Then, east on the Southern tier route. Assuming I"m making decent progress, I'll take a side trip up the Grand Canyon Route. Sneak in a visit to Flagstaff to see Amanda. Back to the Southern Tier and on to New Orleans! If we can swing it, Rick is going to fly out we are going to try and meet up in New Orleans for a bit. Then, onward to the Atlantic! If I'm lucky, my timing will work out to see D.P. on his home turf. From there, take the Amtrak up to Arlington, VA to spend some time with Tyler and explore the Nation's capitol a bit.
After that, I have a date in Santa Monica in January with a gorgeous and sexy 1,500 pounds of fun I like to call Better Leied Than Never. After that... Well, that's all pretty far away, so who can say?
Anyway, It's actualy Thursday now and I have to get packing done. Toodles!
