Along the way

Along the way, we of course, need/want/have to stop for potty breaks, meals, stretches, and those stops that you just need to stop for.

10,000+ miles may seem like a long time in just 6 weeks ... but actually, it is a lot longer when you're inside the van.  ( ;

We're not killing each other.  We are, overall, getting along very well.  Our biggest stresses are most often associated with a GPS that is less than ideal in many instances.  All the bugs we need to have ironed out are always fixed by tour's end, and we have to start over a year later.  Sigh ... lol

I am proud of this lil band of road warriors when I look back at what has been accomplished thus far.  I would travel with either of these ladies again, and they are both invited for a future tour.

On the road, we are working with the Outback Steakhouse of Tacoma, Washington (38th Street).  Joe & his crew have been so supportive of our efforts, and are going to be part of our future events to support our troops.  They "get it", and give from their heart.  I have been there several times, and overheard their enthusiastic welcome home messages for our local troops.  We're proud of the things we have heard of Outback.

And so when they asked if we would take along a small mascot, and get it pinned along the way ... Well c'mon, there wasn't a moment's hesitation.

And so, "Joey" has been collecting pins along the way, and taking pictures with Outback teams along our route.  He's looking pretty dapper!

We also got a chance to relay a message from a troop (from 2 years ago).  He asked that if we ever got back to his hometown, Danville, PA., that we would tell them thank you for the shirt and support from home.  And so, at last, we did. 

Continental Fire sends back their messages of support for all of our deployed troops.  We salute them!

It was a really good day ... a really long day.  We drove into the late evening, and found ourselves in Sturbridge, MA.  The hotel was dark and we were concerned about parking.  But we needn't have.  Right next door wazs the fire and police department.

We parked it out in their rear parking area, and in the morning, Kathy went over to meet them and thank them for allowing this.

They were great to her and even began to wash our rig, only to get a call.  Kathy finished the car wash and we were off for Framingham.

lj & the road crew