Aaaaaaaanndd they're off!! Months of planning and anticipation culminated in our (almost) on time departure this morning, leaving the US Capital in our rear view mirror for a month as we steer the loaded-down 21st century model family truckster westward. As Todd encouraged the kids to rise to the occasion for the next 28 days by exhibiting more than their typical level of patience and flexibility it didn't take long for our first opportunity to model the same to arise. Within a few hours of driving, the conversation went something like: (Tap, tap, tap, tap) Marcia: "Would whoever is making that tapping noise please stop?" (tap, tap, tap, tap) Marcia: "I mean it - stop tapping!" (Tap, tap, tap, tap) Marcia (twisting around to discover no one is tapping): "Huh, that can't be good." After opening ... read more

Well, t-minus 34 hours (roughly) and counting. Todd is in full vacation mode, having finished his last day of work today. Marcia is scrambling to get as much work done in the next 34 hours as humanly possible so as to not be bogged down with getting a start-up off the ground while on this monumental vacation! The kids are squeezing every last minute of video game and TV time as they can and asking how big the stuffed animals they want to bring can be. A sprint to the finish line, to be sure. Todd posted our route (see map picture) on a wall map for the kids to see. Over 7,000 miles in 28 days. Yikes. Two huge loops traversing almost coast to coast. Feeling excited and trepidatious all at the same time. But ... read more

Well, we're 8 days away from departure, and haven't packed or even started a list yet! Yikes! But the excitement is palpable, and we can't wait to hit the road and begin our grand adventure.... read more