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August 01, 2006
Just About Ready...
I was originally hoping to depart today, August 1st, because it's a good, clean date to start from. But alas a combination of factors has delayed the start by a couple of days, so I will hopefully leaving on Thursday, August 3rd. I'll start my ride from Scooterworks, since that's a known scooter landmark and has been my workplace for the last 4 years, lots of friends up by the Car Wash there on Damen Avenue. Probably aiming for an early afternoon departure, sometime between 12 and 2. Right now the forecast says Thunderstorms for that day, but of course we won't know with any certainty until it's upon us.
Why the delay, you ask? Well, first of all I worked an extra week longer than I had planned on working, because we didn't know when my replacement would start and there were some very urgent design matters (and a photo shoot) to attend to. Fortunately they seem to have found a good replacement, his name is Eric and he's already in the fray, started on Monday! He does nice work, here's hoping that he likes the job.
I was also delayed by my landlady, she'd originally said that I could store my belongings in the empty basement of the building (and pay her what I'd pay for a storage space), then after I'd spent the weekend not getting ready to move into a storage space, she changed her mind and I had to scramble to get a space and hire someone to help me move with their van. No big whup, I got Garth, "A Man With a Van" (Vanessa's boyfriend) to come to my rescue and give me four+ great hours of sweaty moving help. Naturally I chose to box/move on the two hottest days we've had this year, with heat index temps well over 100 all day long.
I had a very nice (and touching) sendoff get-together last Saturday at Sally's Lounge in my neighborhood, many thanks to all who came out and offered their words of support (and in some cases good-luck gifts for the journey). I count myself very lucky to have such a wonderful group of friends.
I've been having a lot of trouble with the laptop I was going to bring, so I've decided not to bring it...so that leaves "cyber cafes" and people's home computers (hello world of PC frustration!) I will have the digital camera as well as a video camera, so hopefully I will get some great footage and put together a cool video about the trip when I return. I'll try to keep good notes and write a journal entry at least every few days.
Anyway, that's why I'm not on the road just yet, I will be cleaning the old apartment, tying up some loose ends and packing up most of the gear and spares tomorrow aiming for the Thursday departure. First stop: a few days with the family in the old hometown, Paw Paw, MI...and then it's north, hopefully to some cooler weather. I'll check back in when I'm in Paw Paw, thanks for following along and for all of the support.
Posted by pj at August 1, 2006 10:50 PM
Comments
Hey PJ...
Have a GREAT trip! My wife is tired of hearing about how jealous I am of you....I'm SO jealous!!
Hope you make it to our rally in Chattanooga on the 18th. Stan, Jen and the rest of us wish you a fond and safe journey!!
Best wishes,
Steve Hamaker
Hill City United Scooter Club
Chattavegas, TN
Posted by: Steve Hamaker at August 4, 2006 05:29 PM
Hey P.J. Liz gave the warehouse the news on Friday. Hope everything works out.
-andrew
Posted by: andrew at August 6, 2006 11:28 AM
Hi PJ, I have been following your trip. I could only read updates 10 at a time when I had time. Your trip is an instiration to me. I am contemplating a "Route 66" trip to the west coast on my 1980 P200E. This is a trip I have heard much about because its a trip of my generation (I'm 20 years older than you). Anyway what software are you using to power your rambling? Did you write it yourself or find it on the web? Hope to meet you sometime. Enjoy, Jim
Posted by: Jim Velguth at October 24, 2006 01:57 AM