Only 7 weeks to go

Only 7 weeks to go !!!!! That seems crazy. I can't believe how fast the this last year has gone by. This time last year, we were only talking about our future.. now it is here. Last Spring we decided it was time to start having some new Adventures.. we talked, we planned, we dreamed a little and then started our countdown to the big day. But I had no idea then how quickly the year would fly by. I started packing the house in January, knowing I wouldn't ever be going back. That turned out to be a bit harder than I originally thought it would be. But... I got thru it. By end of February we were moved out of the house, stuff in storage, stuff sold, stuff given to family and only what we needed stowed away in the 5th wheel. Thanks to some great friends we even had a place to go for the 3 months until departure.... a quiet, very private piece of property out at Freshwater Bay. Here is where we could stay until we leave.
It was also a time to work out all the kinks. We soon discovered that we had brought a lot of things that we really didn't need. We also discovered things we had forgotten. I rearranged the cupboards 4 or 5 times until I felt they were finally right.
Living in a "Small" 5th Wheel does have it's challenges, but I remember back when we spent 5 months in Alaska a few years back... in an 11 foot truck camper. This place seems like a mansion compared to that. There are things that are hard, like taking shorter showers..due to a much smaller hot water tank, but at least we have a shower ... like having to crawl up into bed, instead of flopping down into it. Also being very creative with cupboard and counter space, but all in all, its not so bad. Miss my recliner, but surprisingly, I don't miss the TV. We still have a nice TV and bluray and tons of movies, so when the mood strikes , we have lot's to watch, but I find instead, each day I am hoping for no rain so I can sit out by the fire instead. It's a much more peaceful and laid back way of life and it is definitely something I am adjusting to very nicely.
The countdown is almost over, and we are almost ready to leave. I will miss my family...very very much and it will be hard to be away from them all for a year. Thank heavens for "Facetime",  and "Skype", and "Texting".. and free calls back and forth from Alaska to Washington. There will be days when I am sad, and homesick, but there will be ton's of new adventures, Challenges and discoveries everyday. And most of all.... I know.... that in a year I will be back home and then it will be time to plan for the next Great Adventure.
I will be starting a weekly newsletter and photo blog when we get on the road. I will share it with all who are interested in travelling North with us.
Alaska Bound... Only 7 weeks to go.