[chris.817]

Thank you all for the well wishes and detailed comments. I hope to do this community justice with updates, pictures and travel information to help others. I plan to respond to all your posts without a bunch of "thank you" posts in this thread... If I forget to say it later, we had a GREAT time sharing this with you.

Thoughts and logistics update.

First, I commented earlier that a goal was to GET across country. I should have said DRIVE across country. Brian does not want to fly to the west coast, he wants to drive. I did it when I was 16 with some friends and I remember every day, and every stop along the way. An example would be a steak house in Amarillo with the 6lb steak free if you finish it... No, I did not take that bet.

Second is a comment on routing. While I would dearly love to spend a month kicking around every place west of the Mississippi, I do have a limited timeline. I'm still nervous about being away from work for two weeks... Brian has seen very little of this country so it's all new to him. I have spent a lot of time in southern CA but little elsewhere along this route. I have a bit of an attachment through my father with Seattle and have to go there just because. We like big cities. Trains. Walking the streets. Sporting events. Theater. A slice of pizza. I'm trying to marry a great drive through country side that is new to both of us, with some fun and excitement in new places. I'm really not sure how to explain that... Seems like a week getting xcountry and doing all we can do in the process, and a week enjoying the west coast is a good mix.

I, personally, have no problem with 700 mile days. I have not tried to do it 3-5 days in a row. At the same time, we are out there for a drive so maybe I could push a little harder. I have dozens of places on my list that you folks have suggested but am a bit leary to get too ambishious. Any thoughts?

Technical stuff... I did 100 miles cruise tonight for a little shakedown on new tires, etc. Tightend RF wheel bearing. Remounted steering wheel straight. Changed oil and filter. Borrowed Valentine 1 (thank you John, Jack and Gina). Received a thumbs up from my detailing guru that I have polished my "turd" as best as it can be polished and left with a Griot's collapsible bucket to boot! (thank you Wham and Pam) Re-installed windshield wipers and have new blades on my shopping list for Seattle. Have front sunroof seal to replace. I burned through the old one. The back seal will have to wait. Tried to add 19mm socket to tool bag in case I have brake caliper work to do along the way. As most of you know that's lug nut size, so it's a wash...

I have no hotel reservations between Chicago and Seattle. I'm leary of showing up at some place and asking for a room (I've been stiffed and gouged). Anyone have thoughts on that? I'd like to just drive until it's too much but... I'd also like lodging suggestions in LA and San Diego. I like the beach.

That's it for tonight. 80 hours to departure.