If you are reading this it means we are on our way to Colorado. It also means that we managed to stuff everything into our Suburban. But probably just barely. I feel like singing that song from Vacation, what was it Holiday Road? But I sure don’t want to have that kind of trip. No dogs left tied to bumpers ... no dead old ladies strapped to the top of the car. Now maybe Rick would like to skinny dip with Christie Brinkley but I doubt he’ll get the chance.

Unfortunately we’ve had to take some precautions this year due to unauthorized use of our yard and pool in the past when we are away. It’s sad, but necessary. A new pet sitter, security cams installed, and our little community offers “drive-by” service by the local police department. Pretty nifty. All you have to do is fill out a “Check House” card at the police department. Part of the perks of the high taxes we pay I guess. We have to get something for the exorbitant taxes that come with living in New Jersey.

There will be plenty of people stopping by too. The pet sitter every day. Our pool deck is finally being stained (after all Rick’s hard work of power washing) while we are away. We have a great guy as a painter. Our “pool guy” (the man who opens and closes our pool and whose store we take our weekly pool water samples to and buy all our pool supplies in) has graciously agreed to check on the chlorine level and make sure we are not growing any algae in our absence. Our yard is being professionally mown (don’t get used to this treatment, dear grass!) so we don’t come home to a pasture. Check and double check. Everybody and everything is set to go. Or come. Whatever. When we leave our driveway I’ll feel good about everything.

I don’t know if I will blog on the road. Depends on whether we can connect in the motel room or through Rick’s iPhone or not. If not, I’ll be checking in once we are there. My blog header while on vacation will look like this, so don’t think you’ve come to the wrong place.

This photo was taken two years ago from the top of our driveway.

I will be blogging but might not get to checking everyone’s blog, so if I am absent in your comments please forgive me. I don’t have all my links since I’ll be using Rick’s computer but if you leave a comment I’ll be able to follow your link back.

We wish ourselves a safe and uneventful journey West. Look out cabin ... here we come! Your sleepy reverie is over!