We are in the final stages of the planning for this adventure and I'm running out of things to plan for. Our itinerary is set for the Seattle area; our hosts are checking out the roads for us to follow from Idaho back to Renton; Miner's and Fat Smitty's have increased their inventory of red meat to accomodate Blue; Starbuck's is building new stores all along the route so McManus will feel at home and the bear is patiently waiting at the table for "lunch" to arrive. Now if we could get John Bay to toss a few lahbstuh's our way we would be set. I wonder if we can get some Dungeness crab while we're out there? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I also wonder if we can sneak over to the Horse and Cow while we're on the Olympic Peninsula? How about a little side trip to the Pacific Ocean; just to see it?
Blue is now in the air somewhere between Perth and Tokyo and will be over the Pacific on his way to Chicago and ultimately Orlando over the next 24 hours.
Ralph and I have been comparing packing lists and I think we have all the essentials covered. We have camping gear, tie down gear, emergency tools, my neighbor is going to loan me a tent/sleeping bag pad repair kit and I have stocked my Unit 1 medical bag. I have a bottle of really good insect repellent for each of us and I think I can come up with some good stuff to spray inside the tents to kill any critters that get inside before we climb into the sleeping bags. Now if I can just find a horse hair rope to keep the "slithery" things at bay I'll be all set.
Jim has the coffee pot and it will be interesting to see if our aging guts can handle "campfire coffee" Sorry McManus no latte's and bagels while we're on the road unless you can find a good caterer.
I might toss in a bottle of Famous Grouse just to take the chill off each night before we turn in. I'd bring single malt but I know it wouldn't last past Marquette; Mulanix would be sneaking over to have a "wee dram" every 30 minutes.
Pat is taking care of all the "cook out" supplies and even picked up some "Independence Day" plates and cups so that Blue can experience our celebration of freedom here. We'll go to the parade on Saturday morning and then return to my house for the final prep, briefing and food fest.
Be prepared to leave at oh dark ugly on Sunday July 4th. Ralph and I are the early birds and I'm chomping at the bit to get underway.
Shipmates; it is all coming together and to date we've had the minimum of FUBAR'S; this is going to be fun.
That's all for today unless I find a good photo to post later.
ADDENDUM:
Now that Blue is on his way here our temps in Michigan have shot up into the 90's F. From a very comfortable 77F yesterday to this; the man sure does have an effect on the weather. If he can make it 90F+ in Michigan just think what is going to happen in Florida and South Carolina.
Ride safe;
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It doesn't take but 10 minutes fora wee dram.. Seriously, I salute you for the work you have done, this will truely be an excellent adventure.
ReplyDeleteI concur with Jim.
ReplyDeleteWe are having some severe pop-up thunderstorms today and it looks like they will continue on into next week. hmmmmmmm Sort of makes you wonder, don't it. lol
I still can't seem to post....oh well.....
ReplyDeleteas far as slithery things....take some food grade diatomaceous earth and put it in your sleeping bags...should kill just about all insects.....
Dave
Wow! I can post!!!!!!!!!! Cool.....Fred, since you won't have a fully automatic weapon on this trip, how do you propose to keep out the many varieties of snakes in the pacific northwest out of your tent? They seek warmth during the cool evenings! If you stake Blue out as mosquito bait during the early evening, you might let him loose with a rattlesnake steak recipe and he could possibly get in a pre-emptory strike against the serpents.
ReplyDeleteI don't thinks snakes can read very well in the dark, so scratch your idea of hanging a sign on Ralph that says "I'm a rat"
Snakes?!? Nobody said anything about snakes! No lattes and now freaking *snakes*?
ReplyDeleteWho says there won't be automatic weapons? I checked out our T.O. and they are authorized. Don't bother looking for them.
ReplyDeleteBob: those aren't "freaking snakes" they're bigger than that.
Bob....I think Haley Mills had a solution for that in THE PARENT TRAP....maybe that's what Fred was referring to in his horse hair rope comment.
ReplyDeleteBig enough to eat our subway rats, err, track hamsters? Send us some. :-))
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I'm getting jealous again. Still. What a trip you guys are making.
>>Bob: those aren't "freaking snakes" they're bigger than that.<<
Well seeing as we 'own' 5 or 6 of the top ten deadliest snakes, you ain't scaring me....well,OK, just a little bit.
ReplyDeleteCurrently in Narita airport, Japan. 4 hours to go before I head over to ORD....Going to take a mere 11 hours to get there, man I hope I can get some sleep.
Oh yeah Fred, I recorded me playing the didgeredoo on my video camera, so will show you when we meet up. Catch you soon enough guys *_*
Bob....I think Haley Mills had a solution for that in THE PARENT TRAP....maybe that's what Fred was referring to in his horse hair rope comment.
ReplyDeleteA common cowboy belief was that a horsehair rope coiled around a camp bed would keep rattlesnakes out. Got this out of the "Texas Handbook" so it must be true. Besides, would Hopalong Cassidy lie to us little kids?
I agree that the snakes "down under" are more deadly, however it is not at all uncommon to see a 6 1/2 foot western diamondback with a mouth that could span your thigh.
ReplyDeleteAll our big snakes have two legs. It's not at all uncommon to see them in City Hall.
ReplyDelete>>it is not at all uncommon to see a 6 1/2 foot western diamondback with a mouth that could span your thigh.<<