Final Weekend Preparation!

More preparation for the trip throughout the week, and what to do with a 3-day weekend the week before our honeymoon? Preparation, preparation, preparation!!!

Our week started with a delivery that Crystal Rose was very excited to get… a National Parks Passport kit! We ordered the Passport with leather cover, extra pages, and stickers, two masks and a bandana, and an ornament. We are looking forward to getting our first stamp at Assateague Island.

Dave is just as excited to start visiting the parks because he has been donating to them for a few years, and they keep sending him goodies!

Next to be delivered was our new cooler. The cooler we used last time has seen better days, and we really wanted one that had a plug we could drain water out of (and not leak on the seat). It was also very important for this trip that the cooler kept ice for a day or two in the car since we will not be using the air conditioning (or driving) as much as last time. We tested an ice pack in our new EchoSmile cooler, and are quite pleased with the results.

On Thursday, Dave had the car checked over at the dealership. Overall, it was a disappointing experience because his “go-to” Service Advisor wasn’t there (even though Dave had scheduled to see him), and they overcharged him. Dave did get a belt replaced, and then called the next day to talk to the Service Advisor he trusted. Dave was credited with the overcharge, and we have a new belt on the car (with a clean bill of health for everything else), so the car is ready to go!

To make the most of our three-day weekend, Crystal Rose made a list of things we could work on each day. It was a good start, and we got most of the list done (and a lot that wasn’t on the list). And, of course, the list got longer…

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Maybe most exciting for the weekend was testing out our new Wekapo air-hammocks. They are quick and easy to set up (no air machine required). Without the box fan, it took Crystal Rose five minutes to inflate standing in place. With the box fan, it took two minutes. If there was enough room to walk, even in a small circle, no fan would be needed. It also took only two minutes to wrap back up!

Most importantly, we both got most of our clothes packed, and we did get all of the non-perishable items packed (non-food items and non-refrigerated food).

To end the three-day weekend, Crystal Rose finished marking up with colored flags the Blue Ridge Parkway Guidebook. These are all the places we hope to see along the way. The colors are for different types of stops.

With 5 sleeps until we leave, we are getting really excited! We will try to post here when we can, and we will ABSOLUTELY post when we get home. To see our updates along the way each day, check out our Facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the page (it will ask, just click “not now”), but if you do have an account, you can like/follow the page (even if you are not friends with either of us).

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Until next time!
Dave & Crystal Rose