Todnem.com (beta)

Wow, cool!  Glad to see you guys are getting out and about and actually enjoying your retirement.  Just out of curiosity, do you have any plans to hit Colorado any time soon?  Perhaps you could do some house hunting for us while you're there?  Oh, and while you're at it, can you line us both up with great jobs too?  

In all seriousness, it sounds like a lot of fun.  Road trips are always an adventure and knowing that you're not in any particular hurry probably makes the trip a lot less stressful.  All casual driving aside, I'm sure you realize that as the man, you must make the trip as quickly as possible.  Yes, yes, it IS a contest and you must get there FIRST!  Oh, and after you pass all those slower folks, you cannot, and must not, stop for any bathroom breaks, food, or anything else that may jeopardize your pole position in the pack.  The amount of commitment required is substantial, but the reward for your sacrifice will be great.  Did I mention that you'll be the first one there?

I would consider getting a laptop personally if you plan to travel more often.  You can even get a broadband wireless plan nowadays so you can connect to the internet while you're driving down the road.  It's great for getting info on hotels, local attractions and directions to your next destination.  I was actually talking to HD about it not that long ago even for our short commute.  She wanted to start taking classes again but there's no time during the week because of the commute.  But if she could work online while I'm driving back and forth it would actually be quite feasible.  In my adventurous spirit, however, I actually wanted to build a mini-computer that would mount permanently in the vehicle, out of site.  Another side project for a later date I guess.

BTW, I also have a preparation monkey at my house, highly trained in the art of anti-procrastination.  I don't understand it myself, but a lot of stuff sure gets done quickly and well ahead of schedule.  And I am VERY THANKFUL!  Now if I could just get the monkey to train HD, we might actually get something accomplished.    (I'm gonna get my arse kicked for that one.)

Lastly, if you don't have some sort of portable phone for the trip, please get one.  Traveling nowadays, especially over long distances, can be a task all by itself.  Doing so without a phone, IMO, is not the smartest idea.  Anything can happen along the way and with no way to contact someone, you might be in for a long walk or worse.  You might try looking into Trac Phone.  That's what we use and it works great for our purposes.  It's a pay as you go program, and you only have to add minutes once a year.  I think we end up spending roughly $100 a year total.  A lot of the other programs charge you that much per month.  We only use it for occasional phone calls and emergency situations so it works great.

So what is the going mode of transport these days?  Did you guys finally end up with a motorhome or 5th wheel?  Or is this a car/truck only trip? 

Well anyway, have fun and drive safely.  We'll see you when you get back!

Remember that ANY phone, as long as it has power can dial 911, whether you have a plan/minutes or not.  So, TAKE A PHONE!

I have the perfect plan!  Why don't you stop by my house, and I will lend you my cell for your trip. 

Jeff, you've been on the east coast too long.  In the Great Basin, it's entirely possible to drive for a hundred miles, without leaving the state (or crossing two others), indeed it's possible to drive 100 miles between what passes for towns.  Cell phone coverage??  Wireless broadband??  You jest.  You'd have more luck picking them up on your spy satellite system.

Nevada has, officially, America's Lonliest Road, although I don't remember the number.  We were on it with a damaged and leaking oil pan, racing for a town 80 miles away to get more oil before we went dry, and the only signs along the way warned of a state prison in the area and not to pick up hitch-hikers.

This may be hard to imagine for people immersed in wall-to-wall civilization.  I suggest coming west of the Mississippi, and recalling what this country is all about (or at least used to be.)

Dave

Jeff,

This "preparation monkey" will be coming home some time in the middle of the night to properly kick your arse, as suggested. Hope you enjoy the meatloaf and dessert that the aforementioned monkey prepared for your dinner before she left for a 16-hour shift.