Preparations continue for the trip. Matt's Jeep "Blue" is still in the shop getting overhauled. The improvements will be sweet. He will have only a few short weeks to get ready when he gets back from deployment.

I still have yet to put my TJ on stands and getting the work done on the drive train. Springs, shocks and changing out all the fluids are just a few of the things I must do. Everything front to back and top to bottom must be in working order and stay that way for better than a month of exploring for close to 5500 miles.

I've been packing and re-packing making sure I have everything I will need and nothing I won't need. It is funny how everything but the kitchen sink finds it's way into your vehicle the first time you pack it.

Matt has a bit more leeway account he pulls a trailer, but every bit of space is priceless. A trip of this length requires much thought as to what is needed and what is not. I hope to have my Jeep and all else ready to go when he gets home so we can concentrate on getting him ready.

The route we will take is posted in the "Planned Route" part of this blog. Narration has been added to each section so the general route can be followed.