Minus 2

Hello Dear Reader,

This blog is intended to be a way to share our Big Adventure with friends and family. Photos, comments about where we go and what we see, experiences. We have never attempted such an epic driving tour. Ontario to New Mexico, Arizona, points in between, and back again.

What could go wrong? I'll let you know here.

We were maybe (isn't that the best way to start a vacation? No plane to catch, no particular place to be) going to leave tomorrow but winter weather put that off a day. I'm happy about that because for me another day to prep and pack was needed, really. I was ill a couple weeks over the holidays and that set me back a lot.

Two days to departure. Van is prepped. Cargo storage on the roof partially loaded (picnic shelter, tent, sleeping pads, solar cooking thingy (I plan to write more on this as we travel).

The van has a Thule Ascent 1500 cargo bin. New winter tires (I know, I resisted at first: heading to desert country, winter tires wtf? But we have Ontario, several northern states, and sometimes destinations at altitude down south too. Why not. In January they are on sale.

Most of our regular camping gear has been heavily pared down since it's just just the two of us this time (not four people and two dogs). We want to be self sufficient when needed. We won't be far from conveniences most of the time, but sometimes we will, and sometimes we just want to be!

Prepping for a month away from work has been a challenge. Colleagues have stepped up and I am not worried. If disaster strikes, well, a couple more southern borders to cross and we're in Costa Rica, which we like very much. No problem. This blog will probably be deleted then, and I think my phone might fall out the window. These things happen.

We are playing the go with the flow game, with a few determined set points. If we make Indianapolis for our first stopover, that's a win. Depends on traffic, weather, roadworks.... Another day or and two we might be able to camp, using either the tent or the bed I've built into the rear of the Grand Caravan. The bed is untested technology I made up as I went along - and that will be another story for sure.

If you made it this far, thanks for tuning in. Starting with the next post I will try to include photos of where we are and what's happening.

stay calm,
j