Let's do this.
So, this is happening. Tommorow I take off for Illinois. On my bike. By myself. No reservations. No set schedule. I'll be operating with a rough idea of a route and a vague notion about how one goes about a trip like this. The rest will be "on the job" training as they say.
The bike is all packed and the forecast looks beautiful. Hopefully I'll be able to catch some sleep tonight as I mull over in my mind things I may have forgotten. Here is to safe travels :)