Given the amount of people I've talked to over the years about going bear hunting with me, I was surprised when Doug said "yes" and followed through. We talked some logistics a few weeks previous which gave me an opportunity to really start planning. This helps the mental state as the days counted down. Prep for an audit at work, months in advance, is growing in pain. The redundant (often dumb) requests demonstrate a house of cards. A break is needed.
In the grand scheme of things, I don't know Doug that well, but he's organized a few fishing trips. After we talked logistics, he gave me a heads up that some family issues were brewing. This was followed a short time later by notice he was not going to be able to go. I felt really bad for him. He dealt with it well, by letting me know when he could and also letting Vance know. It is still a bit frustrating; I'm sure it isn't the first time this has happened. For all involved, including myself I suppose, I hope the best.
So I'm solo for yet another grand adventure. I'm good with this too.
Prep for the trip progressed as the days counted down. I wasn't going to subject Doug to my audiobooks, so I had to scramble to find some since I would be by myself. I tried using ChatGPT for book suggestions, but as that effort progressed, it started hallucinating like crazy and suggested books which I do not believe exist. Good job ChatGPT - I guess you can write those books or something.
I packed up everything on Thursday in preparation for a Friday departure after work.
Friday finally came; I saw a few deer on my way into work. This isn't unusual, but it can feel like a positive omen when heading out on an adventure.
Being a day before a long weekend, work was relatively quiet. I left after a sufficient amount of time and effort. Leaving from work meant a quick jump onto the freeway and I started to head north and west. Traffic was tolerable. Indianapolis was hairy, but at least predictable. There were only a few traffic slow downs after Indy, and they were pretty short.
I was listening to Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed - a collection by writers on the decision not to have kids. It was good but not great. A few of them I related to, but most sort of fell into not having kids. It kept me entertained for the afternoon.
Soon enough I was at a Days Inn hotel. I didn't like parking right next to a gas station, but it should be OK. The hotel smelled like curry, so I didn't feel too bad about eating a noddle bowl for dinner. I resisted the urge to buy junk food at the gas station.
I waited for dark - actually looking forward to a long day on the road.
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