Road Trip Countdown - this is the "Beyond" part

Ah, sunshine; it feels so good in the morning and so promising for the day.

Today begins the true countdown for our road trip.

• House sitter: Check!


• Car serviced: Check!


• Clothes, shoes and such: Check!
• Neighbors notified: Check!


• Garden planted: Check, including a few things I would normally wait a bit longer to plant, but thought I would take a chance.


• Soaker system installed in the garden to make it easier for the house sitter: Check!


• Pick up clothes from the cleaners: Check!


• Car cleaning: Check!


• Dog grooming: Appointment made


• Hair cut: Appointment made


• House cleaned: Wednesday is the day - thanks Kelly!

I think I have it pretty well covered; just a matter of doing it. I'm attending a seminar on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday will be the day to clean up the loose ends regarding work and we'll pack the car that evening. Thursday we take off.

A big deal? Well, it depends on how you look at it. Jim and I both traveled a lot for work over the years but for the last 9 years, with a couple work exceptions, I haven't traveled and Jim and I haven't taken an extended vacation; anything beyond a 3 day weekend. Mostly we just like it here. In fact we love it at Sunrise Acre and are very satisfied to be here. It is especially hard to leave in May, my favorite month in my gardens.

Why now? It started with Jim's 50th High School Reunion taking place in Gary, Indiana this month. We went to the 40th, the first reunion for either of us, and had a great time. Jim reconnected with some high school friends, some who now live out here, and we decided to attend this reunion.

We could fly, but what to do with Abby?

Abby, for a variety of reasons has never been alone. First there was LC the elder White Shepherd who helped raise and discipline her who was always there unless she was with me at work which was the first 1 1/2 years of her life. Then Jim retired and he and LC were both there. With LC gone, Abby has still been at Jim's side at all times unless she is with me. Besides, we didn't want to be without her and she demands quite a bit of attention that others wouldn't give her.

Besides, who wants to get on an airplane, get herded through lines, stuffed into the tighter and tighter seats, fly over all that beautiful country? Just not appealing at this time.

The solution: Road Trip!

I am not a big planner; get in the car, point it in the right direction and head out. This time however, because of Microsoft's "Streets & Trips", I have the route pretty well planned out. It is fun to play with the software and I've enjoyed tweaking the trip to include scenic byways, avoid interstate highways, go places we've never been and visit some old favorites.

Click on the map for a better view.

This is the plan:

Phase One: Hwy 20 over the newly opened for the season North Cascades Highway, cutting up to HWY 2 and following it to it's western section terminus in Upper Michigan.

Phase Two: Down through Michigan visiting some of my relatives and looking for Lake Perch for Jim. Entering Indiana we switch to Jim's friends and relatives and his 50th High School reunion.

Phase Three: Winding our way home via scenic byways, places we've wanted to go and some of our old favorites. The entire trip avoids interstate highways.

I have debated whether or not I want to blog on the trip. I want to disconnect from electronics but that mostly means electronics attached to work; the Blackberry, business e-mail, newsletters and such. I think I want to maintain my personal blog. I know I will be taking pictures and I am sure I will want to share some of them. So, come back and check out our progress. For Abby's fans, there will certainly be pictures of the beautiful girl.

A big deal? I didn't finish that thought. Yes, it is a big deal and we're excited about the adventure despite the reservations about leaving.

I look forward to your comments and e-mails if you follow along.