Planning Continues....

Progress continues on the preparation front:

Yesterday I met with Judy at Chucks to talk about shipping a 'vette back to New Zealand from LA.

The costs are a little higher than expected, but not too far off my initial estimates. Assuming I can find the right car at the right price, the numbers still seem to stack up OK. I've got to chase another couple of quotes, but Chucks have a good reputation, are really nice friendly people, and are genuinely enthusiastic about Chevs. Nice and local too.

I'll talk a bit more about 'Project Corvette' in a later post, but in short, one of the trip objectives is to do a road trip across the southern states, and what better way to do it than in a classic American Muscle Car? Bringing one home with me is the icing on the cake.

I also caught up with two key members of my 'support crew'; Sheryl and John, who have set me up with all the meds I am likely to need en voyage. When travelling with a medical condition, it is very reassuring to know you have the support of your doctor and pharmacist, and that they are only an email away if needed. Fingers crossed I won't have to...

I've also been trading emails with Rich Weyand, a 'virtual friend' and fellow Norfolk & Western Railway enthusiast from way back. We have arranged to catch up when I pass through Chicago, for some 'Great Italian', and then a tour of Rich's awesome Pocahontas Division layout.

Next on the agenda is buying some luggage, getting an international driving permit, and sorting some US dollars (should have done that last week - hmmmmph).

Itinerary

Here's a copy of my itinerary as it stands now:

14-Aug Flight AKL-LAX on NZ0006 (I gain a day crossing the dateline)

14-Aug Hertz Car LAX to Oxnard
Casa Sirena Hotel, 3605 Peninsula Rd, Oxnard, CA

15-Aug Coast Starlight - OXN to EUG

16-Aug Eugene, 2 nights at Best Value Inn, 1140 West 6th St, Eugene

17-Aug Visit to Mark Murphy at Blue Sky Design

18-Aug Cascades 504 - EUG to PDX
Empire Builder 28 - PDX to ESM

19-Aug Izaak Walton Inn, Essex

20-Aug Empire Builder 8 - ESM to CHI

21-Aug Chicago

22-Aug Lakeshore Limited 48/448 - CHI to BOS

23-Aug Boston
Accom tbc
Hertz Rental Car - BOS - BOS 9 days

24-Aug Boston to Portland
Econolodge, Sth Portland

25-Aug Portland to Parkman via WWF, KC
Bennett Hill Lodge, Parkman

26-Aug Parkman to Kingfield via MRR
Herbert Grand Hotel, Kingfield

27-Aug SRRL Tour with Gary Kohler
Herbert Grand Hotel, Kingfield

28-Aug Kingfield to Portland via B&H
Portland - 27th NNGC
Sth Portland Econolodge - 5 Nights

2-Sep Portland to Boston
165 Regional - BOS to NYP

3-Sep 91 Silver Star NYP - MIA

4-Sep Miami
Vette Hunt/Rental Car

8-Sep Miami to SFA

9-Sep LOR to LAX
15 nights on road (170 miles per day)

24-Sep Flight LAX-AKL NZ0005

What's this blog all about then?

Welcome!

I've created this blog as a way of keeping family and friends updated about my upcoming trip from New Zealand to the USA.

The idea of a trip to the states popped up nearly two years ago, when I learned that the 27th National Narrow Gauge Convention was to be held in Portland, Maine in late August 2007.

The scope of the trip has grown a wee bit, and all going well, will cover about 11,000 miles (not including the bits in the big tin bird between Auckland and L.A.), 27 of the lower 48 states, all in 44 days!

I will post more detail about my itinerary over the next few days.

Only 19 more sleeps to go!! I think everything is pretty much under control too.