Count down!

  The count down has begun!  Plans are to depart our home base on November 1, 2010 either with the trailer or the goats for a hiking trip.  If a hiking trip is first, we will have the trailer 95% packed and as ready to leave as possible after we return. 
  With Silver Serenity the plans are to head south and across the US.  Planned stops along the way are Mississippi, Texas, and some parts of Arizona before Yuma/Mexico and dental work.  From there it is a big ?.  We have applied for our first workcamping job in Monterey County CA and have not heard back from them yet.  Somethings are still up in the air.  Travels will again take us up the CA coast to Oregon and Washington then across the north after the weather breaks.  Hopefully this trip will be at least 6 months long.  Yippee!
  Lots more needs to be done around the Micro-farm and home to get ready.  The animals have temporary homes and the garden is being put to sleep with thoughts of not being planted next year.  Lots to get done to put this place to sleep for 6 months!
  Silver Serenity has new tires on her (as does our truck.)  The inside has been touched up with paint and the floor has been redone.  The soft spot at the door was replaced before complete new vinyl was put down.  While doing the floor, we have found out that the old floor, paint, cabnets, everything was original 1969! 
  Our only battle with the trailer is the stupid solar system.  Still trying to work out the kinks!  Last year the batteries would only hold for about 2 hours with the computer running at night.  Now it seems to be about an hour before we hear the warning sound from the inverter that the batteries are low.  We may yet have to buy new batteries.  This may be done before we go if we can get someone locally to look at the system.  Otherwise, someone will have to look at it after we leave.  There was Solar Mike at the Slabs who told us last year he could order batteries for us but his price seemed really high.  We'll see what happens.
  As it gets closer to time, we will let you know which direction we are going first - hiking or travel.  Only time will tell......
Looking forward to getting back on the road and sharing our travels with you again.
Thomas and Brona
Silver Serenity