T-minus 16 hours...

The trip is only hours away now, and I think I have things just about prepared for my departure.  It seems to take more doing each trip, which I would imagine would have something to do with having a few more responsibilities each time I go.   Aside from that drudgery, there are the more fun preparations of prepping the bike, deciding what gear to take, and dialing in my various electronic devices.

Fortunately, I also have some wonderful friends to help me with the trip, and some have volunteered to look after my house while I am away.

The box in question together with sister
backpack.  Certainly seems like enough crap
for 7 weeks!

The flight there and the flight back is out of Lisbon, Portugal, a decision largely made on behalf of a box.  Granted, it is a very nice bike box that I stumbled on when making the decision to do this trip, and I bought it at the consignment shop out of equal parts thriftiness and bowing to fate.   Though it offers an excellent opportunity to pack my bike and  all of my touring gear in a durable and easy-to-deal-with package there and back, as well as a portable storage locker once there, there does remain the unanswered question of w
hat the heck to do with it when I get there for 7 weeks.  The answer, I trust, will reveal itself at the hostel I am staying at upon arrival.

The box does offer another option as well- I (and my rear end) have some reservations about bike touring for the entire 7 weeks, particularly in Morocco.  With accommodation being pricey in Europe but affordable in Morocco, a viable plan would seem to do, say, 3 weeks of bike-camping in Portugal and Spain in a loop, then the remainder of the time backpacking across Morocco.  Bike and bike gear safely stowed in a box in Lisbon, I can traipse about North Africa with only what I require for that period.  But as experience has shown, these sorts of plans tend to get modified quickly and often, so it doesn't bear much thinking about until I get to the decision points.

In the near future, I have a few days in Lisbon to sightsee and get my act together.  My phone tells me the weather will be sunny and warm, which will be nice to recuperate in after a day and a night in a plane and various airports.

So not the most gripping post, I realize, but of course the adventure has not yet begun.  I could not be much more excited, and I will talk to you all again on the other side of the ocean!