It's hard to believe that while the journey has already started, there are just nine more work days before this whole thing kicks into high gear.
Those who know us well are starting to ask "so where are you going first"? A great question that I can answer without having to go through the whole "so you're buying an RV?" routine.
While there are still a few things left to do here (one less than we thought), we're winding it down pretty quickly so here's what's on the horizon:
On Friday, April 29 at some time earlier than usual I will loudly and boldly proclaim "it's Sabbath somewhere" and head for the exit. The difference this time is I'll be leaving the keys and badge on the desk and heading out the door to start the next chapter of the journey. Good luck Kenneth Rose, you are going to be awesome!
My favorite Uber driver in the world and life partner will be waiting outside in the parking lot and we're off. We'll be heading straight out of town and to Fort Smith, Arkansas to spend the weekend with my favorite daughter, son in law, sweet baby James who is still under construction and two of my three favorite grand dogs (Max and Scooter). Joey is preaching Sunday and we're looking forward to hearing him as long as he doesn't go too long!
We're then heading towards a place that neither Beth or I have been before, Memphis. We won't be there long but long enough to track down some bbq, listen to a little blues and at least ride by Elvis's place. We're probably too cheap to pay the overpriced admission to do the Graceland tour.
We then go to a place that holds a lot of great memories, Vogel State Park which is near the bustling metropolis of Blairsville, Georgia. It's a beautiful state park where I spent several weeks every summer. Mom and Dad loved it and didn't really think there was any reason to go anywhere else for vacation so every year we'd load up the camper, Buffy our short fat dog and off we'd go.
We'd get there and camp with about half the folks from our little hometown of Mulberry who also made Vogel their summer home. Even though I often tried to be a cool teenager who acted ambivalent to going I always had a great time and I know memories of summers of long ago will come rushing back.
We then head to Florida to unload most of our worldly possessions and head right back to Texas. We'll be coming back to celebrate our son in law Joey's graduation from college. He's worked and gone to school and it's a moment we look forward to sharing with him, his parents and Sarah.
The next morning we're off to San Francisco. It's always fun visiting a place so liberal they think Bernie Sanders is a conservative. We won't be there for long but I'm sure we'll grab some great seafood, walk a ton and enjoy the great city in spite of all the flaming liberals.
We then hop on a ship and it's North to Alaska......................
More on our itinerary and post cruise plans next time.
