Sundowning Practice

As I settle in for the night in a bed I constructed out of fir 4x4's and a discarded snowboard, the perfume of the roses floating up to my room in the trees, an owl calling, the stars twinkling and the bills paid, it gets harder to go and do what I plan to do.
I have been pining for the sight of the West since I was there last.  It has been a long time.  Decades.  I keep trying to carve out a moment between thinking other people need me, or that I don't dare leave, or I can't drive because my knee hurts, or I don't have any money or my arms are too heavy.  Time does what it does, and the mirror lets you know that it has and now I really have to either go do this or stop fantasizing about it.
In a few hours, I will be meeting up with a friend and driving with her to Chicago where we will eat Chicago-ey things and have a bike ride on the lake, I will see her family who have all become people by now and rest up for the next thing.  Getting to the Mississippi is nothing short of a pain in the ass.  Starting out is ok, Vermont is pretty, but eventually you are spending eternity on the New York Thruway.
By Utica, one begins to question motives.  By Canandaigua, sanity is in doubt.  Knowing my friend has often made the drive in 17 hours is encouraging.  I have never been able to make it in less than 24.
It's helpful to bear in mind that Niagara Falls is on the way, or could be if we decide to go through  Canada.  I have been advised not to sing the Canadian national anthem at the border unless I want to be searched.  Any inside information on this would be gratefully received.
There really are no more excuses.  Last winter, I think many will agree with me was the limit.  I know there are a few of you who were as excited about the snow as a Lab with a stick, but I feel safe stating that you were the exception.
My daughter & her family have had to flee a mold and lead infested rental, so I have house sitters.  They aren't in a particular hurry to do anything beyond catching their breath and making a new plan, so I have some time.
Going to pretend to sleep now so that I can get an early start.
I would like to make the promise of a collection of amusing vignettes when rolling, but you will be the judge of that, I just need to hear myself talk.