Last Day, First Day

It was the last day at work today. Very moving. I appreciated everyones support and in many cases generosity. Its amazing to realize that I have met so many people at lotteries. Many of which whom I deal with on a regular basis. I am truly blessed to have met you all. I spent at least a half of an hour shaking hands before leaving. The workplace has become a steady environment in which have grown comfortable, leaving was by no means easy. Thanks for making it fun.
And on a lighter note: The trip. I have almost finished testing out the gear, and the luggage container is mounted on the back, ready to be filled. Tomorrow I will help a good friend move, then head home to pack my own gear. Thursday after a good breakfast, head to langley to meet some friends who have gratiously offered up a super comfortable bed for me to sleep in for the night, then on to oregon.

Langley, then Oregon!

This morning was warm enough that I drove to work Sans gloves. Not super warm, but warmer than it has been. No frost, or ice on the road at all. Gloomy clouds and rain yesterday that almost felt like snow, but i think that if I book it over the coquahala to langley thursday, I should be fine.

Also, I have been checking out www.couchsurfing.com in an effort to meet locals where I am going (and travel the most inexpensive way I can so the trip can be a long one). And I have had a number of postive responses from at least 3 to 4 people, but I have gone with the first response and will be heading to Bend Oregon the day after i am in langley (visting friends).

Its very exciting to be finally moving forward with the plan. I had thought at times it would never get to the point where I would be out on the road this year, but things are working out.

Stay tuned for more exciting tales

Planning, Packing, Riding

Well, this week is the wrap up at work, and my final days as a Senior Programmer/Analyst . It has been a bit of a change of mindset looking for something new, but I think its part of the great adventure. Its not quitting a job, but rather finishing up a career, and exploring a new avenue that may have been neglected in the past. Whatever the years ahead hold for me, there is still a future, there is another bend, another road to be traveled, and other careers to be had.

And on that note, I have decided to embark on the trip with the bike. Back to plan 'A', but in reverse, states first, then canada, even if i have to do it in two stages. I think most of this decision was made because the travel time between destinations was 3 to 6 times what it would take if one was to drive it. And i figured that since I was to be waiting in places, and not having a place to sleep in others, I would take the risk and ride the bike. Weather for thursday looks warmer, so it may be thursday or friday that I get out of here rather than the weekend like previously thought.

I will be posting my USA itinerary on monday, so check back soon!

From the smallest acorn grows...

I just thought i would take a moment out of my day to post this. These folks are lending their backs and sweat to a good cause to people who have been devistated by Katrina. I am always amazed at stories about how people put such amazing effort into helping others.
http://acorn.org/index.php?id=10223