Woke at 5AM. We were going to do it today--we were going to LEAVE! After finishing packing the car, it was time to put the kayaks up on the roof rack. It went very smoothly; however, Bob was a bit disconcerted by the flattened tires caused by what was in the van and on the roof. We both decided we would leave one kayak home (we also have a rubber boat with small engine). That was a bummer. Then I got an editing project. Then there was crazy traffic. We ended up leaving at 8AM.
I write this from one of my favorite cities, Santa Fe, New Mexico. We arrived around 5 PM. I set out to do some of the editing work--things were progressing well until I went to save about an hour and a half worth of work and the screen froze. Bob had gone to get me a salad and that salad is now sitting in the pit of my stomach--UGH! I can't believe I'll have to do all the work over again.
The trip was boring because we had to take the highways--we enjoy traveling when we can take the side roads and stop at little mom-and-pop restaurants and non-chain anythings. However, since I had to work tonight, I will not be shopping (don't have the money anyway as my checks haven't come yet) or enjoying the Santa Fe art scene tonight. Sad.
Tomorrow, if I can get to bed soon, we will wake early, get on the road, stop for an hour in Pueblo, Co--another favorite little town and head to Sean's.
So far, it's not been the greatest trip--it could be worse though and I don't even want to jinx us by even bringing it up.
The brightest moment of my day came when Ana (my granddaughter) called. She is such a wonder. Talking to Matt, her daddy, was pretty nice too.
Talk to you tomorrow--gotta try to get to bed.
Tomorrow--it's Denver or bust. We're about 5 hours away.

It looks like we will be able to leave tomorrow. I'm so DONE with packing. We've been packing for four days. I woke up at 5AM worrying that 1. we were bringing too much, 2. the car would be sluggish with all the extra weight, 3. all of our stuff would be stolen while we were either in Colorado, at a hotel, or in New York. UGH!
The McGraw-Hill project has been put to bed, finally. It was a gruesome task. It was also the first time I didn't enjoy my work, but it was the project itself.
Today, I have to climb into the van and rearrange all of the stuff that Bob has packed, so we have more room, so there is clearance and Bob can see out the rear window, and so I know where everything is. I actually made a list of inventory--what was in what bag, box, sack, so we wouldn't go through what we went through the last time we made this journey.
Our landscaper hasn't shown up in two weeks and I am so pissed. I might have to find someone else to work here while our housesitters are living here. Uh, just give us a little bit of courtesy and respect and PLEASE call us to let us know why you haven't been here. If you are out of the country, way behind on your houses, sick--just CALL us to let us know what's going on. I'm getting ready to fire their asses, but I need to find someone else now--Angie's List, here I come.
FREAKY, just as I was writing this, my landscaper guy calls--hahaha. I think I should buy a lottery ticket today. He's very lucky he called because as soon as I finished this entry, I was going to call someone else.
I'll post a pic of the inside of our van today. Stay tuned!

Today we made a trip to Dick's. We got Kevlar cable locks for the two kayaks so I can sleep without worrying that are canoes are being stolen. I also bought a 20-pound kettle bell, a 10-pound medicine ball, a door-jamb bar for pull-ups (hahaha--like I can do them), Coleman lantern mantles, and a few other odds and ends. I am hoping to continue doing some CrossFit training on the way and when we get to Maine--with the help and advice of Kirez and Sean, of course. I'm not qualified to think up my own WODs. Kirez has advised that I stick to a two-days-on and one-day-off schedule. I need to stay motivated. Now if I can just find more info on the Paleo/Zone diets.
Although the dining room is still filled with far too much stuff (especially books, magazines, musical instruments and way too much art supplies), Bob and I are starting to get things organized. This is a step in the right direction because I'm beginning to become overwhelmed and have been avoiding this packing work. That's not like me, so I'd better type this quickly so I can get downstairs.
I read an article that the lobsters are starting to shed their shells 6 weeks earlier than usual in Maine, so the lobstermen are catching many soft-shell lobsters much earlier in the season. The shell shedding enables the lobsters to grow. I cannot wait as lobster is on the paleo diet.
We are hoping to stop in Santa Fe for a bit and also in Pueblo, one of our favorite towns in southern Colorado. Then we will spend time with my sister-cousin Sandra and her husband Mike. We're hoping we can get out on the lake and do some kayaking there before beginning our cross-country trek.
I'm a little disappointed that we're not heading through Missouri on our way because that is one of my favorite antique expanses. Maybe on the way back and maybe on the way back we'll hit the longest yard sale experience (when is that, anyway?). You know us, always looking for bargains.
So, I'm heading downstairs now to "organize." House stuff is done pretty much, so it's ready for the Wawros, our mighty, dependable, and vigilant housesitters who will live in our house while we are gone. 

Maine or Bust 2012

Welcome to our blog. This is our second cross-country trip to Maine. The last one was in 2009 and we took our time driving and stopping throughout the South and up the eastern seaboard. This time, after a stop in Colorado and maybe NY, we will be blitzing through the heartland. We have a cabin near Milbridge, ME, on the water from June 15-August 18. Ah!

Today is going to be a packing day, I think, and a gathering of essential items, like the GPS which I can't find the charger for. Bob and I take secondary roads rather than the main highways. It's more scenic and much more interesting, even if it does take us a little longer. Also, just like last time, we are going to try to eat only at local places--no chains.

I'm hoping that we don't overpack the van; however, two people with many hobbies and interests will have great difficulty with that. We have everything laid out on the dining room table, now, but I haven't really made up my list yet, so that pile will probably double. In Facebook, I posted all of our planned activities. It will be tempting to just sleep in and lollygag around for a few days because this McGraw-Hill project has kicked my butt! However, I plan on acting like a real retiree with a long bucket list that needs to be worked on.

This summer: makeshift, on-the-road CrossFit, guitar playing, piano practice (no, not taking the piano on the road--a keyboard will work), painting a huge painting (mailing it home), listening to music and dancing, drawing and painting every day even if it's just a small piece, hiking, hill climbing, reading, writing (chapters 1-4 are ready to go), working (doing some editing/authoring work that I'll enjoy), blogging, crocheting Bryn's afghan (beginning year three), learning calligraphy, studying French and Italian (again), taking an MIT course, cooking cheap lobsters, kayaking as often as possible (launch is right outside our door), spending quality time with my best friend, watching the sun rise and the sun set. No television, not much Internet surfing (maybe renting a movie or two). Heaven on earth is getting closer and closer. Please friends and family members--stay healthy and emergency free this summer (and forever, of course) and follow our blog.

Meet Lola, our trip mascot. On our last trip through the South and then up the east coast to Maine in 2009, our mascot was a stuffed animal, a coyote, with one eye. I like Lola better.

Bob and I have rented a cottage on the Back Bay near Milbridge Maine. We're bringing our kayaks, our art supplies, our musical instruments, books, computers, woodworking tools, and fleeing the blistering heat of the Arizona desert.

I just finished a project for McGraw-Hill, so we're starting to pack.

Thanks to the Wawro family for living in our house while we're gone and taking care of things for us.

I hope all of our friends and family members check in often and join us on this trip. We'll be leaving when we're packed and the house is ready for the Wawros--don't know exactly when that will be, though. Our first stop is Santa Fe, then Denver to see Sean and my cousin Sandra and her husband Mike. I'll be writing every night.