After a final few days of frantic packing and preparations, Project 100 has officially launched! We loaded up the car this morning (can you believe all this stuff fit neatly into the Prius?) and headed east from Phoenix.
It wasn’t until about 24 hours ago that I began to think maybe we were crazy for embarking on a scheme like Project 100. Up until that point I had just crossed off items on the to-do list that seemed surprisingly easy: plot out our route, select the travel gear, get new tires, leave my job, sign up for an Obamacare plan, rent the house, pack away our belongings and move them to storage, make arrangements for our other car, etc. But as I was scrubbing floors and taping up the last of the kitchenware boxes last night, it dawned on me that only someone bordering on insane would leave behind a perfectly good job, cozy home, family, friends and everything comfortable and predictable to spend a year living out of a Prius and visiting national parks. What had I done?
However, as we made our final two trips to the storage unit this morning (pushing overloaded carts down the hallway of the U-Haul facility for the umpteenth time this week, akin to the movie Groundhog Day), the doubt from the night before disappeared and I knew all the logistical gymnastics, stress and bother would be worth it once we hit the road. And all the well wishes from friends, family and coworkers will surely keep our spirits up through the more challenging moments we might have to face.
There’s certainly something enchanting about pulling up anchor and setting sail on a big adventure of discovery and learning. And from our first day on the road as we made our way over to Las Cruces, New Mexico, it seems we’re not the only ones. Every time a vehicle packed to the gills passed us by, we asked each other, “Road trip, or moving?” Our guess is, they’re other adventure-seekers like us. We hope to meet some of those folks as we make our way around the country!
So glad you guys are doing this blog! I will be living vicariously. I hope we can meet up somewhere!
Christi and Hector, you know I will be praying that you have ‘the best time of your life’ … be safe and have a great adventure!
Aunt Shirley
Christi & Hector
Have a safe trip, hope to see you sometime.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Aunt Dolores
I wish I had the guts to leep and be adventurous like the two of you! Enjoy every moment, every sound and make sure to tell us every cool thing you get to see!
¡Buen viaje para los dos! Que la bienaventuranza los acompañe.
Wow how exciting!!! I can’t wait to read about your adventures! Just watch out for marauding horses, pack your food away properly ?
Yes, between the horses at Zempoala and dogs at La Malinche, we’ve learned our lesson about keeping our food safe from critters. Wish you guys were here with us on our adventures!
Drive safely.
Okay, off to a good start! Looking forward to your daily postings.
Way to go Hector and Christi. I wonder how long your organized packing will last.
I’ll send your blog site to my women’s party folks and they can follow along! Looking forward to following your journey!!
Thanks, Marcie! Organization is key. Putting the same thing in the same place each time will save time and headaches. So far, so good!
Great, you guys. Will track your progress and maybe share some favorite stuff as you approach areas Francie and I have hits on our 2 1/2 run around the country.
Yes, Bob, we want to hear your suggestions!
Christi and Hector,
Praying that you have the ‘best time of your life’ …be safe and have fun!
Aunt Shirley
Have the best time of your life…be safe, have fun
Have a great adventure..be safe and have fun!
Have a safe trip.
Enjoy every minute, new experience and new vista!
But, it’s a really fine line between insane and genius 😉 Happy adventuring and I hope to see ya on the road sometime!
Christi, I love your website! I just finished looking at all your pictures. I can’t wait to read about all your adventures on Project 100! Have fun!
Thanks, Tracy! We’ll be posting many more as we get back to civilization (and WiFi coverage) after each wilderness excursion.
Safe travels.