While driving cross country in the winter sounds like a dumb plan, it is not the first time I have done this (maybe it will be the last?!). Last time I drove north from Michigan back to California in January. Because I chose to live somewhere habitable (yes- the implication here is that much of the midwest is not fit for humans to live), my drive should be easier. But the weather has been so fiercely cold in the north, I have been keeping an eye on the forecast.

Today is my last day at work and Tuesday is the first day of my drive out west (yeehaw). I have been attempting to prepare myself for 9+ hours a day of driving alone with my pup. Because I only have 4 days left- I came up with a list of steps.

Step 1: Have car checked! Because I am the luckiest girl in the WORLD, I came back from Thanksgiving to find a nail in my tire. That called for an oil changed, tire patch, pressure check etc.

Step 2: Cram what is left of earthly belongings into recently serviced car.

Step 3:  Take whatever cannot be crammed to thrift store or post office to be shipped.

Step 4: Realize that the dog needs to fit somewhere. Recram- I mean repack car

Step 5: Avoid being depressed that everything you own now fits in a late model Honda coupe. (It is my understanding that alcohol helps with this…)

Step 6: Download ALL of the podcasts you keep telling people you want to listen to (I am coming for you “Undisclosed”)

Step 7: Get a stash of funyuns (don’t judge me), diet coke, and bubble-yum.

Step 8: Say good-bye to everyone you have gotten to know over the last 6 years and put the pedal to the metal. First stop- Jackson, Tennessee!