Blasting off!!!!

Our bags are finally packed, the maps have all been studied, and we are set to begin our journey westward tomorrow morning. During our two weeks in the Carolinas we managed to stay busy and active while still finding time to hit the Tivo once or twice a day (we all have guilty pleasures, right?) The downstairs basement was painted (it's all about the prep!), the screen porch door fixed (thanks JP!), the storage unit cleared out (ever wonder what 14 years of idle junk smells like?), and the curtains for the Eurovan sewed (thanks Patti!). While we tried to run, climb, stairmaster, walk, and lift heavy boxes as much as we could, we're still taking a few extra pounds away from here thanks to all that delicious southern cookin' (thanks again Patti!!) Mix all these up with a Carolina Panthers NFL game, more sweet tay than you can imagine, and some hush puppies, and y'all be sure to come back now, ya hear?

After a trip to AAA and a glance at a calendar (yikes!) we needed a strategy to get back to Cali by Christmas. We spent the morning mapquesting and now we have a plan, detailed enough to include specific city stops, regional ideas, and possible camping locations for the next 26 days. Scary but true. Of course, you all know us, and plans change, but as long as we keep heading somewhat Westward we think we'll be okay.

First, it's North to the Linville Gorge area of North Carolina to hop on some local granite. Then, it's Southeast down Florida's coast to Key West (note the Westward direction? We thought so.) Up the left side of Florida and across the panhandle along the gulf coast toward New Orleans, with our sights set on Texas. Stops around Austin and at Hueco Tanks will bring us across to New Mexico and Arizona, with ideas of Carlsbad Caverns and Cochise Stronghold. We'll have to move quickly up California to make it to Yosemite by Christmas where we will hopefully rendez-vous with the Cane gang at various elevations off the Valley floor.

We are open to suggestions and must-see locations and adventures, so if you know of any Superman museums or killer BBQ joints that we absolutely have to check out please let us know! Bon voyage!