A week from now, we’ll be spending the night in Williamsburg. All the reservations for our sites all along our route are made, but there’s still so much to get done before we go.
On the to-do checklist:
1. Wash the RV – we were supposed to do that today, but the rain intervened. I probably won’t have another chance until Friday.
2. Fix the TV antenna – A friend is coming over Friday to help with that one. I’m not so keen on crawling about on the roof. She may end up helping us wash the RV if the weather cooperates.
3. Unload the basement – I need to store all the winter items and things we won’t need on our trip in my car. I’ll be storing the car and its contents in a friend’s driveway for the summer. These are the same wonderful friends who have agreed to check our mail and act as our forwarding service each week and the ones who are helping with the antenna. Good folks, right?
4. Fill up the propane tanks – waiting for payday to get this done
5. Fasten up the underbelly pan – It’s a little wet outside right now, but it won’t take me long to do once I get up under there.
6. Put some anchors in the walls for bungee cords so I can secure the TV and other breakables.
7. Purchase a second 3G broadband modem and renew the service on the other one – again, waiting on payday. The modems are likely to be our prime source of internet access while we’re on the road. This is key because both of us are working online this summer. I’ve made sure that every place we’re stopping has 3G access through Cricket, the service we use. Many of these places have wifi, too, just in case.
8. Get the second round of flu shots for the dogs — MUST NOT FORGET this one. It seems that boarding kennels are now requiring these shots along with bordatella for all dogs. I want them to be covered just in case we find ourselves needing to board them for any period of time while we’re on the road. For instance, let’s say the RV breaks down and we have to stay in a motel. Not always easy to find an affordable place that will also let folks have three animals in the room!
9. Refill all prescription meds before we hit the road – Taking care of this tomorrow along with stocking up on over-the-counter meds we use on a regular basis.
10. Check and air the tires and check the battery.
11. Replace the patio mat – Our groundskeeper manage to mangle my $200 mat beyond saving. Thanks, dude! Another thing that has to wait until payday.
12. Replace burned-out scare light and basement lights – will probably do this while I’m unloading the basement.
In addition, we’re throwing ourselves a little bon voyage fete on Saturday, assuming it doesn’t rain. Having folks over for a little grillin’ and chillin’. The weather isn’t looking promising right now, however. Even so, I need to clean and shop like it’s going to happen because as sure as I don’t, the sun will smile upon us and I’ll be caught unprepared!
Whew! That’s a lot to get done in a week, but I think we’ll manage it. I’m getting more excited, and Lex, the driver, is getting more anxious as the date approaches. Hoping she doesn’t get cold feet. I would be a very sad panda, indeed, if she did.
The good news is that I have accomplished a few of the things I needed to do. Yesterday, I fixed the plumbing such that the fresh water holding tank is reconnected and working! I managed to undo it when I disassembled the water filtration system last fall. While I was at it, I flushed out the fresh water tank with bleach. I bought a battery-powered fan for when we boondock. We also managed to remove the washer/dryer from the RV and found a home for it through Freecycle. And I bought a fireproof safe for our important files and documents. I got a pruner with extendable handles so we can reach tree limbs that threaten the RV, and I bought a spare drinking water hose just in case. The cabinets needed reorganization, so I bought a bunch of plastic tubs to put our books and our spices in. Now they should be secure during travel. I gave away a bunch of miscellaneous stuff that had been taking up space in our cabinets, making a bit more room, and I completely reorganized the kitchen storage so that things I use daily are closer at hand.
I started teaching my summer class on Monday, so in between preparing for the trip, I’m also reading and responding to student messages and grading assignments. Plus we’re having dinner at a friend’s tomorrow night, I have a doctor’s appointment, and there are beaucoup errands to run. Even so, I’m managing to have some fun, watching movies, reading some books, Geocaching, sleeping in. Summer is here, and we’re almost ready to dive on in!
