When I was a kid, all of our vacations required traveling by car, er van (that's what it takes when you have a big family). Preparing for a trip didn't just mean getting packed and putting the house in order ('I don't want to come home to a messy house and sink full of dishes') - it also meant getting the vehicle prepared as well.

So early this week, I had the oil changed and a minor repair made to my 2-piece front bumper.  Every day this week that I drove the car (which was a lot for me since I work from home) I made sure to clean something out of the car.  Today I treated myself to the 'elite' services at the local car wash (vacuuming, waxing, etc.) and that means my girl is ready to help me hit the road on another adventure!

I'd like to say it is for fun, but like most of my trips - it is for work and hey, I do prefer to drive over flying, so I'm kinda looking forward to this jaunt despite the fact that Nick won't be along this time - he has been on every one of the work trips over the last year and it won't be the same without him!  However, I'll have a co-worker & friend with me who, besides being a multi-time road trip companion, also just happens to be a professional photographer, so I may actually get some awesome photos to post here for a change!  (keeping the fingers crossed!).

I have thought about making the traditional road mix, but she and I usually end up talking so much that we never really get to listen to the mix so and I have Kara Cooney's new book about Hatshepsut on my audible, so..... anyway, I have a few hours to think about it!

Anyway - Nick - the posts on this trip are dedicated to you!  We will miss your looking out for us, the conversations we have while you smoke cigars in front of the hotel, the laughter & hard work and the kind little things you did to help us feel not so far away from home while traveling for work.  Thank you for everything!

A very long time ago, I ran away from home (if moving 2,000 miles away at the age of 30 can be considered "running away from home") with my boyfriend Blaise (aka Michael). It was a most excellent road trip and overall an interesting experience (one best left for the scrapbooks).  While we didn't stay out of state or stay a couple, we did remain friends and I still look back on that trip and all the subsequent road trips we made together, with deep fondness, laughter and the occasional tear.

Now Michael is setting out on a new adventure - less then 1,000 miles away this time but still..... away from and without those of us who enjoy him the most, especially when there is a road trip involved.  I'm excited for him - but at the same time, I feel a great sadness, too, that really can't and shouldn't be explained here.

So why mention it in the first place? Well, because this IS a road trip (even if I can't go along for the ride and I would have done some driving if given enough notice.....) and it IS a adventure and that's what we talk about here!  I'm also trying to encourage him to start his own blog about his adventures and perhaps this just might do the trick!  So if you want to encourage him to blog about it as well - COMMENT HERE! 

And so Michael Blaise - as I wave my hanky at your departure I leave you with the following:

1. At least you are not driving to Chicago - we all know there is no parking in Chicago (hug the Shedd & the Adler for me!)
2. Don't eat a full pound of gnocchi - remember Atlantic City? 
3. Take your vitamins! You don't want to get to the end of your trip with a nasty cold.....like New Hampshire
4. Since making audio tapes of your adventures would be exceeding weird on a bus, keep a blog! (no room for all those tiny tapes & batteries anyway!) And no - you cannot take a cat with you....... and sit on your own Barney pillow!
5. Limit the Chinese take out - there's never any place to keep the left overs as we learned the multiple times we ordered delivery to hotel rooms!
6.  Be flexible - expect the unexpected and always travel with coffee (think Salt Pond Visitors Center hiking trail....)
7. Take lots of photos and share them - we want to be part of your adventure, too!
8. Sun block & sun glasses are always a plus & never turn down a free hot shower!(Delaware Sea Shore State Park)
9. Lastly, keep warm/cool; don't forget to eat and be safe! 

And never forget we love you and will miss you very much!

PS. I'm so proud of you!