Our plan is to depart October 22, heading West from Bozeman, then south down the Pacific Coast. No schedule beyond 4-weeks. As the title says, 2 adults, 2 dogs, 1 bike.

What's a Plaid Mobile? The Plaid Mobile is a 1984 Toyota Dolphin. In 1984, plaid was "in," brown was the vogue, and after the 1st gas scare, small RV's boomed. Moving on nearly 30 years, plaid is so out it's back, small gas-frugal rv's are back, and this one is about to embrace 55 mph. So if you are behind us, we are pedaling as fast as we can. 

The Plaid Dolphin. Thanks to Beverly Christiansen, we have the "Plaid Mobile" name and decal.

Driver #3. Eli, the standard poodle, loves to drive, just like when we were kids, Dad stepped out, and we crawled into the driver's seat. 

Equal Billing. KC, a.k.a. Killer Cottonball, is Eli's 16-year old pack mate, shown here on Drinking Horse trail in the Bridger Mtns. above Bozeman, MT.

Best Buds. KC and Eli, no worries.

So what to pack for 4-weeks? Not much room in a 22" house on wheels. Nancy's priority is dog stuff, followed by shoes and books. For me, it's the Bike Friday, a folder, books and magazines, and ample tunes. Fortunately, Apple solved the tunes in small packages issue.

We each have one drawer, about 24"w x 18"d x 5"h, and 1/2 of a 24"-wide half closet. Then it's all 9" high ceiling cabinets, with significant space for "dog stuff."

So here are a few packing truisms:

• No one but your traveling companions knows that you wore the same clothes x-days in succession. 
• Stores exist along the way.
• Whatever you pack, you will not need it all, but obsess about it anyway.

So while I start this blog, Nancy tends to vital final tasks: Eli get's his monthly trim; K.C. got her trim last Friday.