For the months leading up to our extended vacation there was definitely a “buzz” in the air. Where are you going? What are you planning to do? How long? When does it start? It was thrilling to have everyone so enthused (perhaps envious?) of our upcoming adventure. One of the most common questions was “Are you getting excited yet?” The answer, however, was no… I was finding it hard to be in the present when I was so worried about all the things that we needed to get done before we left. Two years to plan! And this PROcrastinator leaves it all to the last two weeks… two days.

Along with the impossible “to do list” I was anxious about goodbyes. Yes, we don’t have to go to work. Yes, we get to go on a some amazing trips. (Am I gaining your sympathy yet?) But, it really got me thinking about everything we were leaving behind. Speaking as the Captain the Nostalgia Team, I started to get a little sappy about my departure from everyday life and the people that make it all worth while. (So not proud of it, but totally took a pic of my tidied desk on the last day of work.)

I am not really sure where this is going? I guess what I really want to say is thank you to everyone who went out of their way to send us off in style. Friends, family, coworkers and covolunteers it means a lot. From dessert gatherings, to visits, to gifts and cards, to lent trailer items, to favorite snacks for the road (the homemade ginger cookies just HAD to be eaten before we got to the border) we feel very loved. And to honorably mention the prewritten letters to open at specific points in our trip, we have not had a chance to “roll the dice” for out next meal yet but are looking forward the day.

So, after completely underestimating how long it would take to get things done, as per usual, we said goodbye to our cat, Kierra at 6:00 PM on Thursday. The goal was Wednesday… and then Thursday at noon, in case anyone was wondering. I am sure Harley’s hour long pre-adventure adventure chasing a deer through the forest didn’t help…

Less sap next post, I promise.