The date is closing in and I have much to do. My sweetie has finished the trailer walls just in time for several days of rain. We will have to wait for a dry day or two before we start loading.

I have made list upon list of things to take. 1. The 3 gallon antique butter churn with a crank on the side and a spigot to drain buttermilk (will likely be a while before I make that much butter but it was available at a great price and I will use it before market days!) 2. The hammock and banjo for my sweetie to finally relax after so many months of days too long, missing supper, and working weekends. 3. A bed and dresser for the little guesthouse. 4.The bedding, 5. window panels, 6. rug, 7. wash-basin and 8. water pitcher & chamber pot. Yup, that’s right, chamber pot!

Then there is all the equipment acquired in the last few months for jobs at the farm. The chipper for twigs up to 8″ diameter (if you can believe it) and the log splitter!

Yup, that trailer is going to be holding some pretty valuable stuff. Not monetarily, though I suspect it would be expensive to replace, but in “necessary to the goal” and “make my life sooooo much easier” categories, invaluable.

I am sad to report that my travel companion – G – is not able to join me this trip. On the up side, she has landed a wonderful job that she loves and is gaining fantastic experience while making pretty decent coin!  So as sad as I am to not have her with me this summer, I am thrilled for her and look forward to perhaps having the pleasure of her company next year instead.

On that note… meet my new travel companion… Ella

Three feet at the shoulder, she is not fully grown yet. She thinks she is a lap dog.

Ella is our great dane. Surprisingly sweet and gentle unless you show no fear and wrestle with her. Then she will lay you flat with one stroke of her paw. She allows little kids to pull on her tongue and count her teeth, ever so slowly, while she keeps her jaws apart and her mouth dries up, she waits….. till they are done….. which sometimes takes a very… very… long time.  She is a darling dog and a very good traveller. I shall be lucky to have her for company.