Packing and Saying Goodbye

The day before lift-off.  That stressful day when it hits you the hardest, you are going to be gone, out of the country, for three months.  Final errands to run, final packing to finish, final room cleaning to preform.  From the DMV to supermarkets to banks.  Maybe fortunately, maybe not, I don't leave town until 2:30 pm.  So I've got a good part of the day to do any final preparations.  I think it might be better to know that it all has to be done before I go to sleep, which is why I at least finished the packing of my bags.  Except the one or two small clothing items that have to be washed in the early morning.  

Will I really fit all this into my one check luggage and carry-on?  This is with my tent and sleeping bag already in the pack.

Success!  All those backpacking trips, world travels and  helping  10 yr old campers fit  all their  new and old belongings into the same luggage that got them to camp has certainly paid off.  

The great advantage of not leaving at a god forsaken time in the morning (like this time) is that I was able to enjoy a meal with some friends then have exuberant evening of Pictionary in my bedroom, fireplace ablaze.  It was a nice goodbye.  Though there was plenty of jubilance, I couldn't keep from moments of dolor at thought of leaving such a wonderful group of people. I will miss them.