The time has come!

It's 5:26pm and I'm all packed (everything crammed into one take-on suit case) and ready for the Super Shuttle to pick me up at 7pm.

My flight isn't until 10pm tonight - this is one flight I don't want to miss! I just hope the monsoons don't cause any problems tonight with the flight. Fay (the tropical storm that's been terrorising Florida) had better stay in the South 'cause I don't wanna be driving back across the US in a torrential downpour!

All posts after this one (until I return) will be on my other blog:

http://whereinusiswilliamandedgar.blogspot.com/

Check it out - I hope to be posting details of the day and pictures as well.

Anyway, I'm SO ready to get this trip going and pick up the car... I just hope I can get some sleep on the plane tonight!

Here a blog, there a blog...

I created the first post on the "Where in the US is William & Edgar" blog today...

http://whereinusiswilliamandedgar.blogspot.com/

I'll be using this blog to document the trip to pick up Edgar - pictures and all!

Right now, I'm stressing about all the little things I need to get done before Sunday night when I leave on the plane.

Starting the QA process...

I contacted Jerry today to let him know that I had some concerns about a couple of items on my Clubman. I explained that I'd heard from other Clubman owners that a couple of items routinely get mixed up at the factory:

- Driver's side door missing weather stripping along the bottom
- Interior Chrome line - is messed up 90% of the time when the HI-FI option is ordered AND when the center arm rest is ordered (I have both) What winds up happening is that 75% of the chrome parts I paid $250 for aren't installed.

Since I've given them a full week to work out the kinks, I'm sure it will all work out.

One week from tomorrow.... can't wait!

Edgar has arrived at the Dealer!

I just got a call from Jerry at MINI of the Hamptons and he said that my Clubman is being taken off the truck right now! Part of me wishes I could move up my trip a week but I know that's not possible with all of the reservations I've made.

Now I have to get my insurance coverage paperwork sent to them so Jerry can get the temporary tag.

I guess now is the time when the days start going by slowly? :)

One step closer

I just talked with Jerry at MINI of the Hamptons and he says that Edgar should arrive at the dealership today or tomorrow. I feel ALOT better knowing that it didn't get delayed at the Vehicle Distribution Center.

He also said one of my packages has arrived - there should be 3-4 more coming to him.

I also got email from the Cocomat guys - they have a new variegated color they'd like to show me so they're sending a sample today. I should get it Saturday or Monday and can let them know if I want to stay with the black with grey dot or switch. They also made me a good deal on getting the boot mat done too!

10 more days till my flights and 11 till I start motoring!

Edgar's on dry land!

The ship docked a full day early and left port around 10pm last night EST. I know the VDC doesn't work on weekends so I hope Edgar got on the first ride to the VDC and is standing 1st in line!

Also, I've pretty much determined my route driving back. I posted it on the NAM forum to get some feedback. As usual, the folks on there are VERY helpful with ideas!

Here's my trip so far:

Day 1: Southampton (NY) to Costco (37 miles away to pick up air pump, MF cloths for wiping brake dust , maybe a cooler and plenty of snacks) then on to North East (MD) to stop for the night

Day 2: take the back roads to Front Royal (VA) - taking Skyline Dr thru the Shenandoah National Park - twisties galore , Lynchburg (VA), Danville (VA), Burlington (NC), Liberty (NC), Asheboro (NC), Mt Pleasant (NC), Midland (NC), Matthews (NC), Fort Mill (SC) Home of Cocomats AND my Parents / Brother!

Day 3: Work on getting my Southern Accent back and stop by Cocomats to pick up my order!

Day 4: on the road again to Kings Mountain National Park (SC/NC), Shelby (NC) where I spent 99% of my childhood, Forest City (NC), Rutherfordton (NC), Asheville (NC), Waynesville (NC), Fontana Village Resort at Fontana Dam (NC) whoo-hoo! TAIL OF THE DRAGON! Now - for some Interstate / Freeway driving

Day 5: Tallassee (TN), gonna bypass Dollywood this time , Clover Hill (TN), Big Springs (TN), Friendsville (TN), Antioch (TN), US 75, US 40 to Nashville (TN) then Memphis (TN) ending up in North Little Rock (AR)

Day 6: Staying on US 40, passing thru Oklahoma City (OK) to Amarillo (TX). Stopping for a bit to see some friends, then continuing on US 40 to Tucumcari (NM). I guess I'll have to 'splain to Edgar that any weather "twisties" we might see in OK/TX are NOT the kind we want to drive!

Day 7: Continue on US 40 for a bit, then head up to Santa Fe (NM) or maybe just head on thru to Albuquerque (NM) - I'm not sure yet. Then to Grants (NM) where we'll take a hard LEFT to Ramah (NM) across the reservation to Zuni (NM), into Arizona to St Johns (AZ) then stopping at Show Low (AZ)

Day 8: All familiar territory here... take US 60 to Globe (AZ), Miami (AZ), Superior (AZ), Apache Junction (AZ) to HOME in Phoenix (AZ)

Today, I hope to speak to Brian (the guy doing the clear bra install when I get back) to see how he feels I should protect the paint on my way home. I also want to see if I can schedule an oil change while in Fort Mill (Charlotte dealership)

It all seems so far away, but I know it will be here in a FLASH!

Stay tuned

A Day Early

I just checked the status of the Integrity and found that it's about 150 nautical miles off the coast of Boston. In fact, the shipping line has updated it's arrival date to 8/10/2008 - a day early!

It would be nice if that means it will get into the VDC (Vehicle Distribution Center) a day early as well.

I'm going to finalize my route to drive home tonight and get all of my hotel stays reserved. I'll post here when done.

Getting affairs in order

I finalized my loan with Sharonview Credit Union today. They will be mailing a pre-approved check to me that I'll just sign over to the dealer when I take possession.

I also have ordered Cocomats (front and rear, haven't decided on boot area yet) - and will pick them up when I visit Mom/Dad. Found out that Cocomats are made in FORT MILL, SC! What a small world.

I've also ordered windshield and sunroof sun shades. Had them shipped to Jerry at the dealership so I don't have to carry them on the plane.

Finally, I ordered a radar detector (yea, I know) so I can keep out of trouble as I take the back roads of the US getting back home.

Halfway there

It's day 5 of Edgar's boat ride to New York. I've pretty much decided what my trip route will be - am thinking of making lodging reservations sometime tonight.

Oh, here are some pictures of the boat Edgar's on - the Integrity

Take a look at the life raft that's positioned on the rear. Can you imagine what it would feel like to launch off the back of the boat in that!??!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

I've purchased my one way flight to JFK - a red eye flight arriving in New York on 8/25 around 6am. I'll then take the train to Southamptons to go to the dealer.

I'm currently in process to map out how I'll get back to Phoenix. I've taken off 2 weeks but will likely try to make it back in 10 days - leaving me a few days to tie up loose ends (window tinting, install clear bra, license and registration, etc)

I've learned about the "tail of the Dragon" in North Carolina / Tennessee (the site of the annual MINIs on the Dragon). I'm seriously considering taking that route since I'll be stopping to see my Mom/Dad/Brother in North Carolina as well.

Once my route is decided, I'll be posting a link to google maps so everyone can make recommendations as to sites I "can't pass up!"