Any day now.

Seems like this is all about fixing up vans and nothing about a trip...but as the guru says, every journey begins with the purchase of a new power tool.

Today I finished getting all the doo-dads installed in the van and touched up some spots where the paint came off and orange was peeking through. ACK!!

The finished product has paneling on the ceiling, throw rugs on the floor, a bed, mosquito net, storage and "al fresco" closet. Also got my CB radio in and working and fixed the rattley-bangy back door.
My lovely wife Susan made some curtains for me but the velcro wouldn't stick to the interior panels. She super-glued the strips in place and got her friend with an industrial sewing machine to sew the other half of the velcro on the curtains.

BTW, the lady with the machine, famous artist Dorothea Tortilla, was celebrating her birthday today and took time out to sew my curtains. She has certainly received a hefty deposit into her karmic bank account. Big shout out to D.T.!! Yo, Happy Birthday!

Susan also talked me into getting the van's air conditioner fixed. I was balking at the expense but she reminded me that there's REAL weather in the midwest and I'd be glad I did it.
So Brunhilda is off to the shop tomorrow while I take a trip to DMV to see about getting a license plate for my new bike.

I also need to do a little McGyvering on my bike trailer. I wanted to paint it camo to match the new bike but have run out of time. Maybe somewhere along the road it'll happen.

Next step is to put everything I'd like to take in a big pile and see how much of it fits. I'm pretty good at traveling light. I figure if I really need something, I can buy it on the road, preferably at a big truckstop. They have the coolest stuff in those stores and great greasy meals at the attached restaurants.

So, whatever day I get out of here, my first stop will be Sacramento where I plan to eat some real Japanese food! And pick up some sake for future campfires.

Then it's on to Route 66. I'll let these ladies tell it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imqg6sHS0Zg


...more follows...