Celebration and Preparation

The humid summer morning breeze seeks through my open window where my head rests. The breeze on this Monday morning carries a flavorful smell that satisfies my nostrils and rumbles my empty stomach. The smell is grilled charcoal, which on the last Monday of May, can only mean one thing: a Memorial Day celebration.
As I honor the men and women who died for our country, I count down the prescious days before Chet and I jump on our bicycle saddles for the 3,000 mile Eastern American / Canadian Tour. We depart from Point Judith Rhode Island in 26 days. The tricky part is that I have to be completely prepared for the trip in the next 12 days.
Before Chet and I depart on our American / Canadian bike tour, my mom is treating me to an adventure outside the United States, to United Kingdom's St. Andrews, Scotland to visit Davis, my friend of 15 years. Davis is graduating from St. Andrews at the end of June, which means that this trip is our last chance to fulfill our agreement to visit Davis at St. Andrews. I am excited for this trip for many reasons; I get to see beautiful Scotland, I am able to spend time with my mom, and most importantly, I get to hang out with Davis. Also, because my mom and I fly out of Newark National Aiport, I made plans to drive up on the 11th to see my sister Lindsay and her husband Kyle in their new home in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
Not one hour of my life between graduation and June 11th has gone by without thinking, planning or dreaming about Scotland or the bike trip. As much as I am eager to witness the Scottish culture, and curious to ride the open roads in 14 states and two countries, I am nervous for the short time to prepare.
There is a laundry list of things to complete, equipment to buy and people to talk to between now and the 11th. First and foremost, I have to make sure that I have enough money to finance the bike trip. After talking to experienced bikers, reading other bikers' blogs, and making our own calculations, Chet and I estimate that we will need to save $1,500 for our trip. By working at Jimmy Johns for the past year, I am financially prepared.
I also need all the necessary equipment. With the help from our dads, who both are experienced bikers, Chet and I put together an equipment list. All that is left for me to buy is a storage rack, bags for the rack, and a sleeping bag and pad.
Because I am leaving two months prior to the end of the lease on our house, which I rent with Chet, and my other college friends Jeff and Alec, I need to move out completely before the 11th. This is a project that I will start in the next couple days.
Lastly, and most importantly, I need to get my big ol' butt on the bicycle saddle and get my rear in shape. I have biked sparringly this summer. Because I've been working so much, I haven't had time for long bike rides. Between now and the 11th I need to bike more. Chet and I plan to average 50 miles per day on the trip. Chet nor I have biked this distance. Biking between now and the 11th will put us in greater shape, and will allow us to gain a better understanding for bike maintainance.
I have learned that setting personal goals pushes me to accomplish what I need to get done. By June 3rd, my goals are to have all the necessary equipment to begin the bike trip, bike at least one 20+ mile ride, and pack all my belongings in boxes for my move-out day.