We're Picking Up Speed!!

4 weeks from today we leave and we are really starting to pick up speed preparing for this project!!

Ken joined about 400 other crazy cyclists riding in the "spring" of western Montana May 9&10. The morning weather was 34 degrees F, and it moved up to a balmy 44 degrees on Saturday. A mix of sleet/snow/rain greeted several as they reached the top of one of the many peaks and passes. Bet that was fun careening down on 2 inch wide tires, sliding on elements that shouldn't be associated with any sense of bicycle stability. He rode 100 miles on Saturday and another 40 on Sunday. Monday he reported he "really had fun" (had to be the high altitude-low oxygen combination). So we are again sighing in relief that we CAN do this ... day after day after day.
Although I am the eternal optimist, I recognize that usually the honeymoon phase of any endeavor will become a bit thin and less enjoyable about days 5,6,&7. Quote me one this. Just wait and see....

Kudo's to Ken for packing on the bicycle miles. Remember, we are each hoping to reach 1000 miles prior to the start of our trip. I just tipped over 600; Mark has 800 and I have no idea what Ken has. I'll have to peek the next time I am near thee vehicle.

Then the two boys went out "van shopping". I am always impressed what avenues we travel to learn incredible knowledge involving great detail and comparison that will probably never again be applicable to any other part of our lives. This is one of those learning opportunities. We have been perusing the Internet for the past many months seeking "deals" or "great rental opportunities". Now reality sets in.
Did any of you know most vehicle rental companies do not allow you to take the vehicle "out of their range"? That means, if you rent the vehicle in Spokane, as we are planning, then you can only drive within an "x" mile radius of that pick-up site. Which means, you cannot legally drive it from OR through N.Jersey, and then back again. Or, when you find a vehicle that you CAN do that with, then they charge "per mile". That is certainly something we do not want to do as we want freedom of traveling without keeping track of miles and where we are/going, and all that silliness.
So that narrowed the search promptly to Avis. **Next problem**: They had 3 mini-vans that were acceptable to our requirements. They can't guarantee which, tho they can guarantee they'll provide one of them for the 6 weeks. Now....how could that possibly be a problem? After all, we are flexible (Ken and & I, remember, work Urgent Care). Welll.llll.l.l.l..... We need to attach the bikes on the outside of the van in order to keep us and the luggage and equipment clean and dry and (ha-ha-hahaha) organized. Of course, not all 3 mini-vans can be fitted with the same attached bike rack. Of course. What could I have possibly been thinking???
That took the two of them to REI, where they carry the 2 rack types we might possibly need. So all was well again. Until they came back to "Ms Pessimistic". So, I queried, what if you go out to rent "thee van", take it in to REI to buy "thee rack", and they happen to be out of stock? I do realize "they can order it in for free shipping", however, (call me a realist) that can take "5-7 business days". We have just burned the first week of the only 4 weeks that we have to complete this venture. At this rate, we may start competing with the RAAM folks (for those of you not familiar - Google it. Your findings will make us look real sane).
Now Ken is thinking about buying an SUV instead. He and his wife had discussed doing so in the autumn, but that choice might be pushed forward a few months. The three of us had also planned on spending, roughly, $1000.00 each for the rental of the van. So, now we are negotiating which portion of this long term purchase who would buy or pay back what to who. That makes sense, doesn't it?

And life continues, whether we want it to or not, and most of it totally unplanned.

Mark and I have a house, put it for sale on the market, took it off, put it back on with a different Realtor, found a buyer and signed a commitment for sale - all withing 10 days. Who would have thought. We will now move forward - BEFORE LEAVING HERE - with renting a storage unit, moving the remaining (many) items of "stuff that I just can't possibly let go of" into the unit while still accomplishing the other variables and requirements of "life". You know, jobs, groceries, putting in riding time to meet the requirement of 1000 miles by start of the trip, blogging, B-days, Mom and Dad's day, etc, etc, etc.

Yup, I really am thankful for every day "I have to work". I could be like those many thousands who are unemployed. And yes, I an really grateful for "I am sooooooo busy today - there is sooooo much to do!!!". Again, I could be sitting in a chair gazing out wondering if I would ever walk again. Yup, it is all good ... with only 4 weeks to go.