T minus 11 ...HOURS!

Just home from a wonderful bon voyage dinner at Lobster on the Lawn as guests of our very good friends, the Blisses. Window boxes are started thanks to my sis, Kate (I couldn't get begonias today so she'll finish them up for me). Banking is done, bills are paid and/or prepaid, kitty litter boxes washed out, spaghetti sauce made, and VISA has been advised that I'll be making $20 purchases at gas stations clear across the continent and back "so please don't freeze my card for fraudulent activity!"

I've been reminded that there would be no shame in turning around and coming home (at Bangor if I come to my senses by then) or holing up in Quebec City for a couple of weeks and pretending that I made The Trip. I also have a friend who clarified with me last week that I AM planning to ride my bike home. He has a wager with "someone" (he wouldn't tell me who) that the bike was coming back in a box and I'd be on a plane. Duh! That's like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I told him to kiss his money good-bye ;-)

I'm all packed, with room to spare. What else to tell you ? We're leaving at 0900h. I'll stop at Mom's to say "see ya later" to her and then it's on to Jim's on the Woodstock Rd. We're going through Maine via McAdam and the Vanceboro border crossing. He tells me I'll be surprised at what time we'll get to Manotick where the bells will be ringing and the banners flying at Jim's sister/my cousin Jan's place.

Thank you to everyone who called or emailed today to wish me well! And to the Russells who offered up their kids' addresses in Barrie, ON and Golden, BC as potential layovers (I didn't ask if they cleared this with Kevin and Pete!). I plan to check e-mail daily but likely won't get into long replies on the wee netbook. See ya when I see ya!