We are a GO!!

We have gotten the GO signal from Mission Control, and all is well. The final report came in on the 8th that Rick was cleared to do anything and everything his heart desired, and that left us with just five days to get everything in order. We had been anticipating this would be the case, but nothing was for sure. The track day at Thunderhill Raceway was uneventful, read successful, with nothing breaking, except for a small oil leak that was repaired. The trailer was another matter, it needed new brakes and the spring shackles were shot and had to be replaced, naturally this was all discovered the night before we were to leave, so some midnight candles were burnt.
That all being taken care of, we were off at 3:30 am on the 14th, headed to Phoenix for the first stop. The excitement was only starting. Somewhere around where freeway 580 turns into Highway 5 south, Rich mentioned that he felt some kind of bump when he let off the gas petal, my reply was it probably was the cruise control!? Whatever! As we then stopped to change drivers, we checked the straps holding the car to the trailer, and found the two in back unhooked and one in front slack. The straps in back were also holding down a couple of new spare tires and rims, one was still on the trailer the other may still be rolling along on the Richmond Bridge somewhere. With that little problem solved, it was 900 miles to Casa Grande, Arizona where we spent the night. Next day on to beautiful Alpine, Texas, where we discovered the phenomenon of the Lights of Marfa! Next time you travel through West Texas, do not miss this sight, seriously weird! Today is the 16th of October, and I'm writing this from Convoy Headquarters in Laredo, Texas. We will be going to the border in a few hours to see about getting out visas and car permits. There has been some disturbing talk that things will not go smoothly because of the problems Mexican truckers have had getting into the United States. Gerie Bledsoe has been on the phone all afternoon trying to remedy this, we'll soon see if his efforts pay off.
Sorry there are no pictures to post on the blog, but you just can't remember everything, like the cord for the camera. We'll try and keep the reports coming from ol' Mexico as the days go on, until then, hasta luego!
Please see: www.lcp2007.blogspot.com