Mark is soooo sweet. He cleaned my leathers, polished my boots and now he's detailing my bike before I go. What a great guy. Had dinner w/ the family last night, thank you Hilary, Nathan, Dustin and Mark. Lucia's in downtown Barre is a great place to eat. And if Max is bartending, tell him you'd like to try his signature drink the "Surprise Me". It was a thought on the spot when I asked him to "surprise me with a drink that is fruity and sparkles". He thought for a minute, asked me a few questions like: do I like rasphberry, do I like pineapple, do I like.....he mixed a few ingredients off the top of his head and walah! A blend of light and mildly fruity...a delectable and refreshing cocktail which after two, I think it was me who was surprised...little tough walking down the steps in my heels.

No hangover by the way. Rode down to see Mom this afternoon, after picking up my dress for my son's wedding (which is when I get back). Did you hear me toot as I went by your house?

I think I'm almost ready, set, yeeehhhaaaa! I'll finish the last minute packing and when the bike is done, I'll load her down with my gear.

And she's ready. Mark did an awesoome job. I think the bike looks better than it did when I bough her. We loaded the gear, including the cowboy hat from Kokopelli's and took a little test ride. Topped off the tank, so the next time you hear from me it will be from the road and probably from somewhere in another country (Canada)!

To my traveling buddies: Hey Guys, are you ready?

Phew! I just finished my trial packing and loading the bike. I think I have waaaay too much stuff. So I unloaded everything from the bike and reassessed the situation. Changed the catagories to: Must Have's, Really Wants, Smart Choices, and Luxury Items.

Got rid of most of the must haves and smart choices, in order to keep the luxury items...kidding. Decided I could live with only 1 extra pair jeans since I will be wearing some when I leave (come on now. I'm not really riding naked....yet.) Swapped some of the camping gear out for other, lighter and smaller camping gear (I own enough to start my own outfitters store)! And things are feeling a bit lighter. Now to see if I can back the bike up with all this stuff on it. I'll get a photo on here shortly with the bike packed.

Then I finished all my HOG responsibilities by updating the membership databases, filing all the membership waivers - newsletters - meeting minutes - etc. Responded to all my emails, sent a few of my own. Managed to get the laundry done, some of the housework off my list of "to do's before I leave" and now I'm going to get ready for the big Thomas Birthday party n dinner tonight. And wrapped some gifts for another birthday that's right around the corner and will deliver those before I leave as well. Enough done!

Went shopping for a few last minute items that will most likely be needed for this trip. Little things like a can opener, camelback, sunscreen and bug spray (hate those six and eight legged critters that make me squeal like a girl...oh yeah I am one), shower shoes (a must in those campground showers) and a couple of tank tops for layering.

I have all of these items piled up on the king bed in Lane's room. I have shuffled and changed the items in the piles several times using different catagories like: personal hygiene, sleeping gear, camping cookware, camping other, quick access, 5 minute access, need easy access to, bury it at the bottom for later, and the "oh crap emergency stuff" that goes in the right sided saddlebag. Why? Because it's on the side away from traffic when stopped on the side of the road. Things like tools, rain gear and first aid kit. You know, the important things you never want to use but have to take with you just in case stuff.

Some people would call all this preparation "Anal Anxiety". I think for me it's more like I just want to go on this trip so badly, that it gives me something to do while I wait for August 1st to get here so I can be on my way. I know...the sooner it gets here, the sooner it's over.

The Begining

Ahhh. The packing has begun, several times over. Like with any trip, I get a little stressed over how much to pack. Do I have the right blend of warm and cool weather clothing to be comfortable against the elements. Did I bring too much; things that I will never use or need? I usually do. I really don't want to pack and unpack a gazillion unnecessary items every night at the campsite. Oh, the stress I create for myself.

We did have a great practice run this past weekend when a group from our HOG chapter went to Bar Harbor, Maine for a long weekend of camping and riding. I learned two things over this weekend. The first is that I don't want to pack my tent and camping gear the same way I did for this trip....and the second is to always put the kickstand down before getting off the bike. oops!

Yes folks, I dropped the bike right in the parking lot where we had breakfast...and took a bow for my faux pas. I haven't had to pick it up by myself...yet (knock on wood). Well duty calls and until the magic day arrives where the packing will have to do and the trip begins, I still have to go to work.