De laatste loodjes wegen het zwaarst

Today was psycologically the last day, because tomorrow only leaves us 3 hours of driving.

The title of this post is a Dutch (or Belgian) expression, meaning that the last steps are the hardest.

And so today was the tough last step:

* The drive was mostly through Nevada, which is extremely beautiful, but not as entertaining for us because we'd seen it before.

* The drive was extremely long, because we added on 3 extra hours in order to make tomorrow extra-short.

* It was hot (in the desert of Nevada).

* We were counting the hours and miles (which makes it feel and look extra-long).

* Black cat on the road (see other post).

* Bugs (see other post).

* Dogs were restless (maybe they also feel we are nearing the end of the voyage)

* Rest-stops were few and not as well organized as we had hoped

So we got to the hotel, and tried to put our accomplishments above our tiredness.

Besides the 'laatste loodjes' expression, I also believe in the feeling that 'the harder and tougher it gets, the more satisfied one is, after all has been accomplished' (please don't seek any second meaning in this sentence :-))

So this small hardship today will make the victory and the achievement tomorrow even greater...

Beware of the Black Cat

Today was the longest day of our trip. We decided to stretch to Reno so tomorrow we will only have 3 hours to go, but that resulted in 11 hours in the car. We crossed the last time zone today so we are officially on Pacific Time now and we spent that extra hour we gained driving.


Of all the things one expects to see crossing the highway when you are doing 70 miles/hour, a black cat is NOT one of them. So there I was, bright and early, driving the first shift still in Idaho, when this black cat came out of the mediam and ran towards us. Thank the Lord that I was on thr right lane, so I had time to break a little and then the ....amn cat got scared and ran back to the left (or at least I think it did). I know I did not run over it. I felt my spirit leave my body, I swear it, and my blood rushed to my feet and my heart to my throat. I strung quite a few long curses too, it ouwld make a sailor blush hehehe. But it all ended weel, for us and the g...amn cat. I hate cats!!!!!


Idaho was ok, we had the opportunity to cut through some country roads and that was nice. The hay is packed in squares in Idaho instead of rolls, so I guess Idahonian cows do not like sushi hehehehehe.




We also were attacked but a "rain of bugs". Miniscule bugs that just kept dying on our windshield continuously like rain, it even sounded like rain. It was grossss!!!!!


It was a LONG ride through Nevada. It is beautiful, but quite inospitable and deserted. And HOT too. We went up and up and up until our ears popped and then down and down again. We have some pictures and just a few videos. It was a sort of a boring day, so unfortunately, this report is kind of boring too.


Tomorrow is the BIG day. We should be arriving in Napa by lunch time and all good spirits permitting, we will be in our new home by early afternoon. We will make our final entry then and show you all pics and videos of our home. Hang it in there everyone, we're almost there :-). Closing with a few pics of our troopers: