Love this man, really.

Today was the hardest day because I knew it was my last.

I will miss you buddy, I really will...

Saying goodbye is hard.  These guys, I've been working with for years.  Omar on the far right was here before I was, and I've been here for ten years!!! Jose on your left is one of the most solid line cooks ever. No matter how busy it is, when I ask for a table, all he says is  "ready chef, waiting for you"  LaLa, aka Lazaro is the guy on your right.  Organizer.  I will miss my guys..

One month...one month from today I will be handing back my apartment keys and heading out on the road.  Seems like just yesterday I started this planning and everything was off in the future, something to look forward to and prepare for, anticipate. Now I have this feeling that there is so much to do before I go.  Say goodbye to friends, pack up, change address, etc etc.  Had a little panic moment, but when I really thought about it I realized I am ready.  I could jump on the bike today and head out.  That's how ready I am.  Apart from my new rubber, above, the bike is ready to roll.  Packing will take a day or two and the rest a day here and there.  I'm ready.  Look out 'merica, here I come...

I know y'all been waiting with baited breath to see if I could install the running lights.  here they are!

They're 5w LED's. Not on there for greater lighting, more so to make me more visible to others.  Bike is now ready to go.

The Luggage is ready now.  I will tie down a big duffel and my backpack directly in front of the top box ( back of the seat).  This will also give me a backrest on long stretches. A little worried that my weight is all in the back, but don't have any luggage for the front.  I'm not offroading so this setup should be fine.