Day -33: Getting Started

Location: West Suffield, CT

I think I’ve got the blog fairly close to how I want it to be for the trip, so I guess that means it’s time for the first “real” entry. Since the trip is roughly a month away, there obviously won’t be a whole lot of activity right now (aside from updating the characteristics of the blog itself), but I’ll post some background information here for now. There is a bit of information in the “Who Are We?” page on the right, so this post will consist of more specific details about our preparation for the trip.

First of all, I want to mention the mapping feature I’ve incorporated into this thing. If you click on the “Where Are We?” link to the right, it brings up a Google Maps view, with each marker representing a location from which Julia or I have posted. If you click on any marker, you can view the post(s) from that location. Once we get moving, there will also be a line connecting each location to the next, so you can visually track our progress around the country. Additionally, any post that has a location attached to it can be displayed by clicking the “Where Are We?” link at the bottom of the individual post. I’ll take this opportunity to thank Dylan from cyberhobo for his great plugin and going out of his way to help me implement it properly when it wasn’t working as I had expected. Speaking of help, I also need to thank Rob for figuring out all sorts of code work for me to help me set this thing up.

Moving on…

Julia and I are looking into GPS devices at the moment. There is an important advantage to the Magellan Maestro series – a partnership with AAA. As a member, I fully intend on utilizing their campgrounds and discount hotel deals on this trip whenever we aren’t staying with friends or family. Therefore, being able to see nearby campgrounds, hotels, mechanics and so on at the touch of a button could prove very nice. However, these units are expensive and reviews are mixed. My cell phone can be used as a modem for my laptop, so it’s reasonable to assume that I can use my phone in conjunction with Google Earth (which is what I am using to plan out this whole trip in the first place) to find nearby locations and plot driving routes on-the-fly. I could also pick up a GPS that directly links with my computer and simply use that to plot our routes. As of right now, this is the biggest debate regarding the trip, at least in my mind.

We are also trying to put together a comprehensive packing list for the trip, for obvious reasons. I’ve placed the list behind the link below. Feel free to look through and make suggestions.

• Camping/Hiking Supplies
  • Tent
  • Tarp
  • Sleeping bags
  • Roll pads
  • First aid kit
  • Parachute cord
  • Backpack
  • Water filter
  • Boots
  • Bug spray
  • Water bottles
  • Headlamp
  • Toilet paper
  • Castile
  • Stove
  • Fuel
  • Matches
  • Dishes
• Car Supplies
  • Check tire pressure (including spare) & tread
  • Check alignment & wheel bearings
  • Test alternator & battery
  • Portable jump starter
  • Techron
  • Tool kit
  • Spare belts
  • Fluids (coolant, gas, oil, transmission, steering, brake)
  • Maps/atlas
  • Spare fuses
  • Duct/electrical tape
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Work gloves
  • Reflector/flares
  • Zip ties
  • Main coolant hose
  • Crowbar
• Dog Supplies
  • Collar
  • Leash (short, long, and show)
  • Brushes
  • Food
  • Bowl
  • Treats
  • Bone Buddies
  • Vaccines
  • Heartguard
  • Advantix
  • Tags
  • Toys
  • Crate
• Clothes
  • All weather conditions
  • One dressy set
• Electronic Equipment
  • Camera
    • Tripod
  • Laptop
    • Microphone
    • Headphones
  • iPod
  • Phone
  • Chargers
  • Connectors
  • Batteries
  • GPS
• Other Items
  • Blanket(s)
  • Pillows
  • Air mattress
  • Towels
  • Cooler
  • Sun block
  • Toiletries