VagabondJeep.Com
O|||||O Bernie and Dave
Jeep, Jeep. Beep, beep.
Thursday morning has come. Sun and sky fill the space above, and Mother Earth lies firm beneath us as it flies through space at 66,616 miles per hours. So, it begins. This would be Chapter One if I were writing a book. Nope, no book. Just the diary of a derelict, and tales of Bernie and Dave. Bernie has an exciting trip planned that we have anticipated this for weeks. 
Late last Spring, maybe mid-Summer or so, Bernie the Eclipse Chaser and I began planning for the annular eclipse that will be visible over several western US states, October 14, 2023. This is her first. She is excited. She dug around and found several possible viewing and camping spots in New Mexico. There is enough BLM, Bureau of Land Management, property that Bernie and I can find a home for a few nights in one of the great places she has picked out. She used onXmaps with photography, topography, and maps. That is an app that works. Period. Bernie gives it four paws up and a wag.
But first, {insert dramatic music} the peril. Today, the Overland Expo 2023, October 6-8th is our destination. Seeing the dates, made us wonder if we could fit all that in before the eclipse. “We can do it,” she says. Bernie wouldn’t let Overland Expo 2023 us pass by. Jeep Invasion 2023 in Pigeon Forge was our first big event. What a time that was, eh? This will be our first Expo. We are excited. Bernie tells me that listening and learning are a good plan for Expo. The best thing we can take away is knowledge from someone else’s experience. This is often referred to as “Accident-Avoidance Approach.” (I made that up.) Learn from others’ mistakes, before they learn from yours.
I know the kinks in Vardo’s set-up, no biggies there. It works or we fix it. Vardo is packed up tight with what we need. Room for “nice to haves” is scarce. Necessary supplies and equipment get first dibs. She’s packed for a two-week trip with necessities … and my French press. 
In the kitchen box of the Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro/Quad Set, I found a small space, unoccupied by anything. Quiet, content. I asked the small, quiet space if I could place my French press there. “No,” it said. I threw out two packs of Ramen Noodles . Then the small, quiet space said, “Oh, yes. I welcome your French press. Bring on the French press. Some of my best friends are French presses.” Small, quiet spaces are funny like that.
That’s it, it seems. All is stowed and ready to go. Bernie will sit and watch me drive. Then she will start with something like, “Slow down, you’re going too fast.” “Have you used a turn signal before?” “The left lane is the passing lane, ya’ know.” “Watch out for that dog,” says Bernie, the Backseat Driver.
It’s going to be a long trip.
VagabondJeep.Com
O|||||O Bernie and Dave
Jeep, Jeep. Beep, beep.