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I was originally going to call this post “Halfway There” but then it occurred to me that a headline like that was a little too close to a lyric from a certain singer who is my arch nemesis. This “artist” has songs that get stuck in your head for days … weeks … years. I won’t name names, but it rhymes with Von Bojee.

From the vault – Showing my appreciation at HOB Hotel in Vegas ’07

ANYWAY, I’m halfway through my 4200+ mile road trip. A few quick stats:

• 2332 miles
• 14 States + DC (Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota)
• 6 days of driving – in various stints from 2.5 hours (WI to MN) to 16 hours (NC to IL)
• 147 times I’ve said “we’ll see” while describing what our life in Angola will be like

Driving Day 1: VT to CT via Brattleboro

In a rush to close the door on 79 Walnut for the final time, I first forgot my bike lock and then forgot to eat. Lucky for me Red Hen Bakery is open on Sundays. I snagged a great sandwich and a few 4-packs of Heady Topper for my hosts in Connecticut and North Carolina. Mmm … Heady Topper.

Red Hen Baker – a worthy first stop

I stopped in Brattleboro, VT for a quick visit with old friends from SLC/Backcountry Fred and Jason. As we caught up over a cup of coffee, I noticed a much more relaxed and at-peace look in their eyes. They’re back in their element in Vermont.

On to New Haven, where I ended up spending an extra day to maximize my time with George and Tori. After BBQ clams, tapas and a 25 mile bike ride to the ocean, I can officially call this road trip “coast-to-coast.”

Driving Day 2: CT to NC

Maybe because it was 4th of July Eve, but I hardly hit any traffic through the NYC/B-more/DC corridor. I broke down and ate a Quarter Pounder with Cheese somewhere in southern Virginia, but damn … was it good. I also started my first Portuguese lesson: “Disculpe, a Seniora fala Inglies?” No chance in hell I spelled any of that correctly.

Once in Raleigh, we didn’t venture far from the house. Great homemade food. Beautiful people. Can’t wait to see Louise, Thomas and Gilbert again soon … with Kelli next time!

Gilbert on his way up

Driving Day 3 – NC to IL

One word: Brutal. I was flying the first three hours. I had made it to West Virginia, was filling up my tank and was like, “this isn’t going to be bad at all.”

Famous last words.

Right after I pulled back on the highway, I hit a seriously severe thunderstorm. Traffic was reduced to a crawl. I could hardly see 10 feet in front of me. Lightning crashed outside my windows. White-knuckled to say the least.

But I made it and ended up taking my time to Charleston, where I stopped at the Blossom Dairy for a Cubano Sandwich. Thanks, ChowHound.

Blossom Dairy

Later in the day, I had to make an emergency stop in some random town in West Virginia to help out a client whose website got hacked. It was the first time the library had been open since the massive storms passed through. Problem solved, but all these stops added up to the 800 mile drive taking 16 hours.

After crashing out at a La Quinta, (lalala la la lala la la la la la la), I paid my Uncle Eddie a visit.

Uncle Eddie – you can’t help smiling back

Eddie has a way of saying “Hi!” to people that sounds like they’re long-lost friends that haven’t seen each other in years. No one can resist smiling back and returning their own heart-felt “HI!”

I left Eddie to recover from the 103°F+ day, and drove 2.5 hours up to Bourbonaise / Kankakee (two of the best town names ever). My Aunt Lois ruled the SORRY! board despite my and my cousin Cassie’s protests. After a mellow night and a sunny breakfast, I was once again making my way west towards some much-needed tent time.

Blog central at Black River State Forest

Which pretty much brings us up to speed. I’ve spent the last few days at Laura & Joe’s in Minneapolis, enjoying not moving. Tomorrow I fly to Houston to see Kelli and do some Angola-type stuff. So I’m pretty much halfway there. Uh oh …

“Ohhh … we’re halfway there. Oh oh! Livin’ on a  …. ”

Fie on you, Bon Jovi.