Day 1: Gainesville, FL

TUESDAY. We didn't get very far today, but the good news is that we are on our way to New Mexico. We met some friends for breakfast in Port Charlotte, and then ran some errands before returning home to do a massive, insane packing of the Grand Caravan. Fully loaded, the Grand Caravan doesn't look nearly as grand as we anticipate. But somehow we pushed and shoved every last bag in the car. We stopped at Mom & Dad's on the way out of town for one last goodbye - she was entertaining my cousins and Uncle Julius, so we got to see all the Port Charlotte family. (It was also an excellent opportunity to grab a few slices of Mom's famous pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and carrots - to go - which I thoroughly enjoyed when we stopped for a brief rest this afternoon.) I even got to check out Dad's new tool shed, carport and hurricane shutters.

We are safely ensconced in our reasonably liveable room at the Quality Inn in Gainesville, FL. Gainesville is a cool university town (cool in the "hip" sense - it's been in the high 90's all day...). We hope to get an early start tomorrow.

Jet is an 8 year old (very large) black Lab who is staying in the room next door. Murphy and Jet have been wandering in and out of our adjoining rooms. They have played together and chased a very slimy tennis ball in the large grassy field next to the Inn. Jet makes Murphy look like a runt. So far, the only two rooms occupied on this side of the Inn are Jet's and Murphy's. June isn't exactly peak season in Florida.

Highlights of today's roadtrip: many cows, cattle egret, osprey, and a bizarre armadillo parading alongside the interstate wearing a large empty snack bag on his head. Hopefully I will have more to report in the coming days. Tomorrow we hope to hit the Gulfport, MS area and see the aftermath of Katrina up close and personal.

I don't much enjoy living out of a suitcase. Or in our case, a dozen suitcases. Neither one of us travels light. Even the dog has 2 bags and one large box. Try as I might, there is just no way for me to cut back. I am too addicted to comfort. Must I bring my own pillow? Absolutely. Do I need a case of designer water? You bet. There are far too many "just in case" items in my luggage. The odd thing is, I always need much less than I actually bring. I never learn.

Stomachs are grumbling now, so I'm off to unearth paper plates, plastic forks, and pasta that I cooked this morning for our trip. I even brought grated cheese, salad fixings, and very nice Italian vinaigrette.