DAYS UNTIL TRIP: 11
I keep wanting to update this blog more often, but there’s really not much to say until I actually start the trip. Today I upgraded my AAA membership to the premium level, which means I can be towed up to 100 miles for free, have free gas delivered to my vehicle, and all sorts of other benefits that may come in handy while on the road. I bought an emergency gas can which holds a gallon of gas. But now the inside of the van reeks of gasoline. I have to figure out how to deal with this…
I’ve come up with a plan on how to fit everything inside my vehicle. I’m taking my guitar, even though I don’t really know how to play. I’ve been saying for years that I’m gonna learn. With all this time on my hands, maybe I finally will.
Last weekend I played frisbee golf and was reminded how fun that is. I’m gonna be on the lookout for frisbee golf courses as I travel, because that’s a physical activity I can do while I’m on my own.
My friend Robin, who was going to accompany me on the first leg of the trip, will instead join up with me later, so I’m on my own for the first month. This means I’ll probably be doing quite a bit of couch surfing via www.couchsurfing.com. If you haven’t checked out that site, do so immediately! It’s a huge worldwide network of folks who let you stay at their house for free.
That’s it for now… time to go visit a locksmith to see what can be done about my spare tire carrier…
9000 Miles 
Can’t you just get a hack saw and cut the lock off the tire carrier and then replace it with a pad lock of some kind?
Yeah, I called some locksmiths and even called the Chevy dealer and they said the best thing to do is drill through the lock or break it open somehow. I guess this will be my course of action!