The past 2 weeks of intense preparations have been a blur. I'm exhausted, and if I didn't need a vacation before all of this, I sure need one now. But, carrying the bags out to the van always gives me a second wind. It is proof that we are almost ready to go. I still have to stuff the maps into the console and wrap up a few loose ends.

They say you aren't really having fun until someone gets hurt, so Brian must be having a blast. He is on his way to Urgent Care to get checked out for what is probably an ear infection. That should make crossing the Rocky Mountains real interesting for him. I guess it is better than the time he got strep throat in Russia....

We are a few hours away from departure. The little ones are too keyed up to take their naps, but that is OK--they can pass out on the drive to Winnemucca. I know I plan to!