The craziness of summer travel begins today.  Ryan flies home this evening, and then we start the drive in the morning.  We’re stopping in Nashville and staying with the wonderful Miss Etouffee (I will be giving alternate egos to some of my friends and colleagues, which I believe is typical in blog fashion.  I think it’s fun nonetheless).  With all of the flooding that’s been happening in the home of country music, I’m not sure how much we’ll be able to do on Sunday, but we’ll see!  The Literary Southern Belle’s parents also live in Nashville, so Oscar may have a date with their golden retriever, Minnie.  He’s very excited; he bought new cologne for the occasion.

Home to my parents in Hanover, PA is the next stop.  We haven’t been home since Christmas, and that was really an unexpected trip.  During December I was working in Eugene, Oregon on Le nozze di Figaro that would open on New Year’s Eve, a lovely tradition, and with little time off I didn’t expect to fly home for the holidays.  Unfortunately, a few days before Christmas I got a phone call from my mom confirming that my dad had prostate cancer.  I knew he was having tests, but was hoping for the best.  So, long story short, I flew home for about 36 hours to be with my family and flew back to Oregon to run Piano Tech #1 the next day.  Let’s just say, “Not ideal.”

That trip was hectic and emotional, and the last few months have been hard not being home with my family during my dad’s radiation treatments.  However, he finished his radiation last week, and Ryan, Oscar and I will be home in a few days to celebrate!  And we’ll be in Hanover for almost 2 weeks (practically a record).  My sister and parents are extremely excited for us to get there.  Eating lots of food, drinking cocktails, and playing golf are the primary points on the agenda.  Oscar will also get to play with his cousin, Saxer, a 90 lbs weimaraner (he may be few pounds lighter because he’s been on a diet - sad for him).  That’ll be a treat for both of them.

So the Summer Sojourn begins.  Nothing is really packed except, of course, Oscar’s toys, food, and clothes.  He has to make sure that we don’t forget him.  But who cares about packing!  I cannot wait to see my family and friends along the way.  It’s a long drive with a huge pay-off.

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Saxer and Oscar waiting for a treat from my dad.