Yes, I'm driving cross country and yes, I'm doing it by myself

I'm officially retired now. That means I can be gone from Ann Arbor any time of the month. Before, my editing schedule was such that I had to be here the last 2 weeks of every month (except December and June), which really put a crimp on my traveling. I feel confident that Clare, the new editor, can do it without me from here on, so I'm hitting the road next week. My plan is to be in Portland, Oregon, by February 6. That gives me 8 days to drive 3400 miles. After coffee with Nick R. today, I realized I might have been a bit too optimistic is my ability to drive 6-7 hours every day for 5 days straight. So, I vow to be flexible, smart and take time to enjoy the scenery. I will drive on freeways, not back roads, and if the weather is bad, I will wait it out. Along the way, I hope to stay in other cohousing communities (Iowas City and Salt Lake City for sure) and explore as many museums and cultural centers as possible, thanks to my membership in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association. (more on that later.)
     So, yes, I am driving in winter by myself, and yes, I will wait out any winter storms I encounter along the way. I feel confident because my car is awesome — a 2017 Subaru Outback with 4 wheel drive, and lots of safety features, and an iPad filled with music, podcasts, and audio books. And, a long list of friends I've been meaning to call for way too long. After a week or so in Portland, I will head south with my Ben thru California, all the way to Santa Barbara. Tentatively I'll then continue on my way to LA, then maybe to some national monuments in Utah, before heading south to see friends in Austin and San Antonio. I need to be back to Ann Arbor by mid-March. Its road trip time!!!