My van is in the shop today, getting a thorough once-over before the trip.  Because the weather around the country has been so unsettled, and also because I plan to drive to Alaska, where roads can be rugged, I am having my winter tires put on.  The tread is deep, and I think the tires will grip the road better.  It may mean gas mileage will suffer a bit, but I am more concerned about safety and stability.

Among the features of my van are a bench seat that becomes a bed; a refrigerator; a makeshift toilet, created using an orange bucket from a well-known big box home improvement store, lined with a plastic bag and topped with a toilet seat and lid; a free-standing plastic sink with a base that holds 5 gallons of (cold) water; a small TV; newly installed toaster oven that air-fries along with the usual stuff a toaster oven does, and a microwave; and little cubbies filled with whatever I am convinced I will need on the trip: pots and pans, utensils, clothes, shoes, coffee maker, camp stove, food, water, pet stuff, electronics, blankets, etc. I think I have packed, unpacked and repacked the van around 40 times, and doubtless will continue doing so until Saturday morning.

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My auto mechanic installed a back-up camera for me, and I have a dash cam as well.  The dash cam can record sound as well as picture. This is an added safety feature, so that if I am stopped for any reason, or have an encounter  with someone who makes me uncomfortable, I have a means to capture the moment. I also have a loud keychain alarm, a gift from my friend Helene.  Last week, as I was shopping, there was a loud noise, and people all around me—including me!—were looking around for the source.  After a moment of confusion, I realized *I* was the source—I had accidentally pulled the pin on the alarm in my pocket! So I know it works.

All of my medical appointments are completed.  The pets’ appointments are on Thursday.  They will be brought up-to-date on shots and checked for health. Along with pages of my own medical issues, immunizations and medications, I will have copies of their licenses, rabies cerificates, and health certificates. This way, I can document their immunizations and health, and, should they need to go into a kennel for any reason, they’ll be protected.

The house is nearly ready as well.  I have people scheduled to check it out, a place for mail forwarding, and security installed. I am worried about the sumps in the basement. They are a constant source of aggravation, and I have determined that nothing horrible will happen if they fail; the cement floor will be wet and yucky, but nothing that can’t be fixed when I get home. Never having been away from home for such a long timeframe, I can’t quite wrap my mind around not sleeping in my own bed, or being out of familiar territory for so long.

Planning where I will go and stay is still fluid.  I have maps of all the states and Canadian provinces and territories, a road atlas, various books about different regions, and a few articles that intrigued me. I am making reservations as I go along, somewhat risky business, as I may not always be able to find campgrounds with last minute, short-term spaces. I am leery of staying in Walmart parking lots, though during last year’s travels I saw a number of RVs parked in the lots.  In 1993, Ifound several manned rest stops where I felt safe enough to take a quick nap if I was too tired to keep driving.  Having the pets means I will be making frequent stops so they can stretch their legs and relieve themselves, as well as stretch my own legs and take a break from the open road.  In my experience, RVers and campers are a friendly, helpful group.  Traveling solo sparks people’s curiosity, and garners the good kind of attention. There is always someone around with advice or help to fix a problem, and often I am invited to join someone for a meal or come to their campfire.  On my last trip, I invited people to join me.  We are still in touch, and, in fact, I hope to meet up with them during my travels.This is one of the best things about camping: the opportunity to meet new people and hear their stories!

My three pets are already seasoned travelers.

Spice is a merle sheltie (Shetland sheepdog), 8 years old.  She is my worrier, and stays within a paws-length of me at all times. She is a bit excitable at first around strangers, but she warms up quickly.  Her mellow nature and gorgeous coloring garners a good amount of attention.

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Nemo is also a sheltie.  His coloring is identified as mahogany tri. At 3, he is *finally* calming down.  There have been times when I felt ready to kill him for being the stubbornest dog I have ever tried to train! He is very sensitive to moods, though.  When I had a severe case of gout and was in pain, he would sit beside me and lick my hands to comfort me.  And when a friend at camp lost her dog and needed a dog fix, he quietly sat with her for a solid twenty minutes and let her pet him, something I’d never seen him do.

Oreo, my 8-year-old tuxedo cat, is not wildly enthused about car or van rides, but once she is into the rhythm of the schedule, she does well.  I am trying to get her used to a halter, but she refuses to walk when she is strapped into it.  I also bought a sweatshirt intended to hold your cat in a front pocket. So far that hasn’t been met with much enthusiasm.  It also isn’t the most flattering sweatshirt I’ve worn. Although most cats are not happy travelers, Oreo really hates to be left behind. She is definitely part of the pack.

Thanks to so many people: Lorraine, Elaine, Helene, Marie, Julie C., CJ, Michelle, Pete, and Julie G. for their concern over my safety and plan to monitor my trip, let me forward my mail to them, check on my house, take care of my property, and make suggestions to keep it simple. The guys at Wakefield Gas deserve thanks for coming out to get the tires I want on my vehicle (which were too heavy for me to lift!), install them, and give the van the one-over before the trip.  Thanks to countless people, including friends from the quilt class and Hammersmith Quilters Guild, woodworking shop, and Facebook buddies for their suggestions on places to see.  (Seriously, though, I don’t *need* more fabric—tempting me with the names of all the great quilt stores across the country was unnecessary.)

As Launch Day approaches, I am more and more anxious to get started!