I leave in 4 days for my 9th trip north (TN9), to Massachusetts to see family and friends. It will be different that most previous trips north in that (1) it will be an auto trip rather than an RV trip and (2) it will be less rigidly planned. The use of the auto is due to it being a relatively short stay in MA (4 weeks), the high cost of diesel fuel and doubts about the condition of my rig (the truck needs major brake work, I am told). The minimal planning is due to me making the trip alone. I won’t even have a dog with me. As a solo traveler I have more freedom to go where I want, when I want.
But I do have some specific plans. I will visit Jett’s family in VA. And I will see some old friends in both Charleston SC and in the New York City area. The planned (sort of) route is as shown here.
The trip will be about 1,600 miles in (probably) 4 hops over a total of 10 days/9 nights. Long days of driving but with breaks in Charleston SC (2 nights), Montclair VA (3 nights) and Greenwich CT (2 nights). I will be making lunch stops in Sanford FL and Rhinebeck NY to see old friends.
I will stay in MA for 4 weeks. My son Tony will join me for 4 days in the third week and Marlene will join me for the final week. She and I will then drive back to FL together, arriving just 4 or 5 days before we embark on our 30-night trans-pacific cruise. I am packing for TN9 in anticipation of the cruise. I will pack a single suitcase weighing no more than 50 pounds (which is the limit for checked baggage on airlines) and pre-packaging all of my medications (because I won’t be able to get any meds on the cruise).
Like any of my other trips, I will provide frequent updates.
Oh… almost forgot. There is one other thing that will be different on this trip: I won’t be shaving. Marlene wants me to grow a beard, so I have promised to not shave until we return from the cruise. I am not wild about this. The last time I grew a beard – back when I was about 30, so 45 years ago – I found it annoying. Worse, it is blond and when I shaved it no one would believe I had ever had a beard. I had to show them my driver’s license to prove that I had had one. Embarrassing. I guess I will have to provide occasional selfies to keep you updated on the progress of my facial growth.