Sept 18, 2004:

  To start of the year on the right foot, Gus and I went kayaking 
from La Jolla shores to the sea caves by the cove.  I'd seen an 
ad for a "Doggie Paddle" last month and signed up for it.  Bill 
came down to watch (and take pictures).   There were a group of
about 15 people and 7-8 dogs that gathered at a local kayak shop
and they basically gave us the stuff, pushed us out from shore and
set us free.  I'm pretty sure that Gus wouldn't choose to do this
again - he seemed nervous the whole time we were out paddling - but
he didn't jump off the kayak.  Although I thought he might when 
we got to the caves and he saw Bill standing there taking pictures.
  He was pretty happy to back at the beach.  


Sept 19, 2004:

Who knew how much stuff you have to do in order to leave your normal
life behind?  :-)

  Since I've been asked "Where are you going?"  by many, I'll
put down our schedule as I know it....

  We leave tomorrow 9/20 and head north to Sacramento where
we'll visit with Bill's Dad Jerry and his wife Vicky.  Next day
we'll head to Bend, Oregon where we plan to stay a day or so
at Smith Rock.  Then on Thursday, we'll head to Portland to 
hook up with Dsh and Ali.  Next day we'll caravan with them 
to Idaho to do the "Race for the Cure" with a few other women
we used to play soccer with, one being a breast cancer survior. 

  On Sunday 9/26 - we're off into the wild blue yonder - at hopefully
a bit slower pace than the first week. 

  I had a wonderful sendoff from my co-workers at Accelrys.  It really
makes it hard to leave...It is truly a mixed-bag of emotions to be taking
this trip - excitement, fear, saddness and happiness.  But underlying it
all is the feeling that this is the right thing to do at this time in 
my life.  I've probably said it before, I feel that this is as much about
internal, personal exploration as it is about geographical exploration.

  Well, there's time enough for this introspection later, right now I 
have to finish packing!

More later!