Day Zero – School’s Out

Here we are. The house is clean. The fridge is emptied. The gear is organized. The car is completely packed.

We’ve eaten our traditional departure eve meal at Chipotle and there is literally nothing left on the to do list. I can’t speak for everyone, but I am feeling so anxious tonight. The next 46 days will be full of unpredictable adventures. We’ll learn more about our country, one another, and ourselves than we could possible guess now. Despite all the planning, we’re bound to hit some snafus, some bumps in the road, some unexpected predicaments. I’m hoping I can approach all those with grace and patience. Yet the adventures that await are nearly more than I can handle. We are going to sled on sand at White Sands NM, go white water rafting, climb to the top of our second 14er, be spoiled at 4 Kiptons, and prove UFOs exist in Roswell. We’ll embrace Ranger Mike, the Berrys, the Stewarts. We will eat local delicacies and drink local brews. We are going to connect with people from totally different walks of life than us. It is all almost too much to think about.

Tonight, we’ll sleep well in out own beds, in the comfort of our lovely home. And then we’ll be ready to spend the next 46 nights in small hotel rooms or tents. Oh help me!