Countdown

[60 Minutes ticking timepiece intro plays]

Two more days until I venture out on the biggest adventure I will ever venture to take. 

Riding to the northernmost point in North America accessible by road has been my BHAG for, say, 20 years or so, and now it's really, finally about to either happen or not happen as fate shall decide. Arctic Ocean or bust.

This trip has made it as close as "looks like next year" at least twice, scuttled each time for reasons equally legitimate and disappointing without so much as a checklist prepared. I've been collecting ideas, clippings, and advice over the years, but that's it. As you would imagine, I'm over the moon that all of it is finally being put to use, and will serve as more than a reminder of an unrealized dream haunting me to my grave.

The process reset again with a new job 2-1/2 years ago, and a concerted effort to get my feet under me, establish my value, and hoard PTO. That led to a casual conversation with my boss last spring, which was met with "then make it happen!" He didn't have to tell me twice. 

And here we are two days out. I've never been more prepared for anything in my life. Donna and I were certain that I would be out of my mind these last 2 weeks, up all night, furiously scrambling to finish everything and solve problems unsolvable in the time I have left. If she didn't end up euthanizing me to put her out of my misery, I would end up climbing onto the bike hours behind schedule with no sleep, an Amazon order shipping to a hotel I hope to be at in two days, and a need to stop at a Cycle Gear, Walmart, and Cabela's on the way.

Instead, last week at this time I legitimately thought I might be sitting here today with nothing to do but wait.  That didn't happen, either, as I do have a few things to wrap up (that's another post entirely.)  But I did spend a nice, relaxing weekend with Donna at the lake, and the bike is 100% prepped, packed, fueled, and ready to go. I have time to write this.  With any luck, I'll be sipping a cocktail Thursday evening and heading off to bed in a state of peace.  

When the route was coming into focus and the daily average became a real number and smacked me in the face, I put in for the extra half day on Friday and will knock out the first 500 under what looks to be perfect conditions.  I will leave Saturday morning from Toledo perhaps in rain, but with a positive attitude and a nice head start.