Good Bye Gritz (aka Mo)

Precious Mo, she is so squirmy this morning, I cannot get a good picture.

Thank you little brother Aaron for taking care of the babies while we are away.

Good Bye Guido

Here he is, nestled on my goose down sleeping bag. His eyes absorbing the color perfectly.

Leaving Tomorrow

We would Like to formally thank Mark and Kristy Dym, owners of Marco's Coal Fired Pizza, for all of their support and encouragement. Don't forget to try their incredible wood fired pizza and unique coal fired lemoncello chicken wings. Colorado's only Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napolitana!

2129 Larimer Street

Denver, CO 80205

(303) 296-7000

So this is it. Our last farewells. Pack our panniers, load the bikes and head in a north westerly direction. It should now get more interesting from here on out. First stop, about 67 miles out, Fort Collins. We opted for fast over scenic, since we have both been to and from Fort Collins via cycling before. Pecos, to Lowell, to 120th to Highway 285.

some pictures

                                                    Lovin' Denver

 Our toolkit.  Believe it or not, with these near complete disassembly is possible

 everything in a pile

Lucy's stuff in a pile
The cat, Mo, is not coming though ) :

moving day

well, today we bot most of our stuff out of the house.  I had to drive.  shudder.  And I feel for the other road users too.  Anyway,  It's getting close.  By this weekend we will be living out of our panniers,  then I have to help out at work on tuesday, and we should be outta here wednesday or thursday.  Lets just hope
nothing explodes.

So Things Have Changed. As They Often Do

So both of our work environments have become encouraging to our decision. We have both prolonged our stay with a promise to return. After concluding the return to Denver, that is. It has cost us less money and physical labor to do so. Inexpensive storage and welcoming arms is all it took. Thank you jobs. Once you agree to sponsor, then we will mention you with larger gratitude. Haha.

We must retreat by September 1st. We hope to be in Vancouver by October. We have not trained. Just doing it will be our training. ( Hint hint, any other sponsors...)

A shake down, and other preparation photos  will be included once we figure out how to use our new camera. Thank you helpful staff of Wolf Camera!

Prep Work

Preparation builds the excitement. Loss of physical possession encourages the reality. It is now in existence. The challenge lures us on......

Scotty has put in his notice at work for July 31. I have one more trip to Pittsburgh, then I will put in my two weeks. Well, actually, with a change in management, the cat is way out of the bag. Which is fine.

Scotty has been fantasizing about a long tour since the last one he was on. New Mexico to Georgia, a few years back. He has done this before. He is ready.(as noted in the photo) Me on the other hand. I have no idea what I am getting my self into. We have done a few overnighter's. 200-250 miles. Nothing crazy. This is the time to do it. We are not getting any younger......

We have discussed the possibility of a trip like this for a couple of years. We have both been ready to make a big change. Feeling a little stuck in our situations. I quit my "real job" almost a year ago. This set me free. Leaving me with less responsibility. Making it easier to flee Denver.

Scotty has hated his job since we met. I have often consoled him with the idea of this trip. To hang in there. It will pay off. This is now. Well, soon.

Here is an

example of our inspiration. I made this card to cheer up Scotty. It reads " Keep your eye on the carrot, Jackass! I love you and want you to follow this one through. It wont be easy, but lets make it work the best we can"