Leaving out of Boise gave us the opportunity to spend the prior night at Van and Bobbi’s – friends for too many years to count and through as many different circumstances. We’ve grown older and somewhat smarter together, been through our share troubles, been there for each other through it all. As Van noted, we’ve lived two hours from each other for 20+ years; wish we’d spent more time together.

Their home is the ideal stopover, lucky for us – lucky for them, I couldn’t fit their precocious cat, Pavarotti, in my bag. What a character he is. Long live Pav.

Saying good bye brought out emotions suppressed while prepping to leave for two years dominated our thoughts. Good byes are hard! Texts and calls were coming in too, and each one brought me to tears, thinking of all the good times shared with friends. We’ll have to concentrate on more good times upon return.

As well, creating so much work and so much emotion made me realize that one year wouldn’t be worth all this fuss.

Then it was off to the next stop, Washington DC, and my niece’s house in Falls Church – two days before the coronation.