hitchhiker’s guide – one of my faves – easy, right?

I have my towel, some peanuts and a pint of beer in hand!

I have done all I can before getting on the plane in the morning –

✔ Passport

✔ Visas

✔ Traveler’s insurance

✔ Shots

✔ boarding pass

✔ clothes & camping gear

✔ Int’l sim card

✔ cameras, laptop, solar charger

✔ water filter

✔ travel guides

✔ Bills / mortgage paid

✔ friends to look after the house / plants / mail

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this trip for months now, barely able to contain my excitement until July arrived. I would’ve left months ago if it had been an option. I have been jumping up and down inside waiting anxiously to start this grand adventure.

We have a teammate across the pond (UK) who for the past 2 months has posted the most hilarious, witty, satirical daily countdown on our team facebook page. I wake up in the morning and can’t wait to see what crazy thing Johnny has posted!

I was shocked, however, when absolute sheer terror set in once the countdown dropped below a week! And I panicked! Why? Hmmmmm…

I am SO excited to start this grand adventure. I know it will be amazing and life changing. I can’t wait to leave, to get on the plane and see what the future holds for me. I’m not scared to go, but I think a part of me is scared to leave … to let go of the present. Life is really great, right now, here at home. I’ve never been happier, more at peace, more secure in who I am and what I want. And I am leaving all that behind for a 10,000 mile journey across Europe and Asia??? WOW! Maybe I am crazy!

I grew up travelling the world. I race sailboats. I fly gliders. I climb lighting trusses 40 feet in the air. I’m a pretty tough gal & not much fazes me. But this….I’ve never done a trip like THIS before.

Life is all about learning how to let go, and this is definitely challenging me. I am, this week, finally allowing myself to feel all that I will be leaving behind, all that I will miss while I am on this journey. Although I would not trade staying home for what I am about to do, I feel the sense of loss, of change that is apparent.

I know I will feel better once I board the plane. The adventure will begin and I can not let myself look back. Here I come, ready or not….jump!

….Arrives in the UK!!! ….and quickly has a pint (or …um…4???) Hmmm…

I think we are all a bit jealous that the bus got to start the grand adventure ahead of the rest of us.

Don and Sarah bought this fabulous bus back in November from a camp in North Carolina and took it home to Charleston, SC where they, and an awesome team of friends and mechanics, spent MONTHS transforming the once “Hogwaller Express” into the Rally Ready “Team Dixie Chickens”! 

Not only did the bus receive new tires, shocks, brakes, roof rack, wheelchair lift, bucket seat, storage box, painting, stickers, handprints, and likely a million other things i’m not aware of, (but will likely be appreciative of) …

it also received a blessing by Geshe Topgyal – a buddhist monk!

Sarah delivered the bus to the Port of Charleston at the end of May.  It shipped out June 7 on the Georgia Highway…

and arrived in Southampton, UK on June 21. 

Gun Boat Don, our fearless captain (driver) and chief mechanic, along with Will and Tommy, wrestled the bus from customs on Independence Day (seems fitting).  Only casualty of its’ ocean crossing seems to have been the pilfering of its’ rockin hot stereo – (!!!)  

The only other hiccup so far, besides the stolen stereo, is the awesome package of school/dental/1st aid supplies that Dale shipped to the campground in the UK, (so I wouldn’t have to  haul it overseas with a broken hand) was *refused* by the desk clerk upon delivery!!!  Here’s hoping Dale can work his amazing magic to locate and re-unite us with our box of goodies for the kids!