First Post: The Countdown Begins

April 1, 2017.  Two months to go.

If it feels funny to make the first blog post of my adventure on April Fools' Day, it's probably because so many people have told me that my upcoming trip is foolhardiness incarnate.  Sometimes I almost believe them.

On June 1, or thereabouts, I'm going to set out from my home in Seattle and drive my bright yellow 2009 Mazda Miata to Tierra Del Fuego.  I'm leaving my job behind and hitting the longest road in the world for the journey of a lifetime.

It will be an even longer road for me, in two ways.  First, because in a Miata I'll be travelling two car lengths for every one that would be logged by a Toyota 4-Runner, VW bus, Chevy Van, or any of the other traditional vehicles favored by those lofty lunatics who set out on the "Overlander" lifestyle. Second, because I don't intend to stick to the Pan-American Highway all the way down.  I haven't picked out my route too exactly yet, but the point is to wander, to see some of the less heralded towns and places, and--since I'm driving a Miata--to seek out the smaller, more scenic, twistier roads.

Why Tierra Del Fuego?  Well, that's complicated.  The story has a little to do with divorce, a little with turning fifty (whoops, blinked, 53), a little with finding myself at the crossroads of a career I could no longer stomach, and a little with Donald Trump.  I've always wanted to see Tierra Del Fuego for the grandeur of its scenery.  But in truth plenty of places are scenic.  There are times when you need to go as far as the road will take you.  And along the way I want to take my stand with international brotherhood, social justice, and peace.

Why a Miata?  Well, that's simple.  Because the answer is always---never mind.

So I'll be chronicling my trip both here and on a YouTube channel with a regular vlog.  Once I figure out how this here Blogger setup works I'll set up links.

Oh, and I suppose this is as good a time as any to mention that I've never made a YouTube video in my life, I have no car repair skills whatsoever, and I don't speak Spanish.

Foolhardy?