Hi to all. I have heard from so many and cannot tell u how good all the positive energy feels as I finish my last preparations for the trip. I just ordered GU energy gel(24 packets) from Amazon. They guarantee delivery by March 7. Hope they mean it. I understand from speaking with veterans of c2c rides that this energy boost may be essential to get me over the hills. I do want to be prepared.
This weekend has been a blast. Friday night my dear friends, the Hoffmans, Gockes, Gonzalezes and Clines. What a treat. We started with hand crafted lemon drop drinks with fresh lemon juice and glass edges dipped in sugar supported by a selections of cheeses that ran the gamut from spicy with horse radish to an ultra sharp cheddar served with a mix of crackers, some of rice and others thin and flaky-something new I had never tried before. Great start to an excellent meal of roasted lamb with mixed jellies, cheesy grits with spicy shrimp, heavenly roasted carrots and spinach with orzo that complimented the others so well. Karen our hostess make a beautiful coconut cake that everyone raved about. I took only the fresh fruit, trying to be good on my low intake of high glycemic index food which are supposed to be bad for borderline diabetics, like me. After this lovely dinner I was presented with great gifts, oh but I forgot to tell u about the table. The center piece was a bicycle, actually a tricycle, filled with mini daisies flanked by candle sticks and the piece de resistance, a pair of Michelangelo Davids in black bike shorts. These were sitting on a table set with antique china and embroidered linen.
We shared many a toast to my safe journey with red and white wine gifts and picture taking. Joan shot a great video of all of us that she will be posting here. Hennie made me bike shorts with pockets for ice packs to soothe my derriere and a lovely ditty to go along with it. I got biking earrings that I will wear as part of my going away outfit, chamois butter, m&ms smoked almonds, a universal bike tool--Alien II, yummy dark chocolate bars(Bill & Lynn) with sea salt,.All in all I felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world. Waiting at home were Marnie, Corbin Angus and Gillis. They along with Eileen, Rich, Jane, Doug, the Gonzos and JJG gave me a wonderful family dinner send-off with over the top cosmopolitans (Doug), champagne (Corbin and Doug), Lasagna(Lou), Shrimp, salad and Great bread(JJG), a magnificent bike cake(Lou) and a resolution to my week long effort to get my google contacts onto my ipad(Rich). Marnie, Jane and Doug all gave incredibly touching speeches,I was so moved, I think a couple of time my heart nearly stopped .I hope I can live up to all the nice things that were said.
As you can imagine, I have been getting ready for the trip in many different ways. My daily biking since I got my bike in August, my first since I was 10, ended last week when I shipped the bike to San Diego to Bernie's Bike Bistro with almost 1700 miles ridden. Also I have been collecting all of the items recommended by folks, especially the c2c folks. I just received my tripod flash light to add to my intent comfort from the  head lamp and down sleeping bag from Mike and Whitney.
I am putting all my gear in the guest room where Lou will help me pack in the most efficient manner.
Also as part of my preparation for the trip I have been reading the memoir of John Fairfax , the first person to row across the Atlantic. I figured it  might be helpful to. He reaffirmed my certainty that the answer to all issues and problems on my own trip will mirror his "just keep rowing".  You are too tired to go on, just keep pedaling, you feel out of sorts, just keep pedaling, you want to go home, just keep pedaling, you question your sanity, just keep pedaling,etc.

I am noticing that I am craving comfort food, especially animal crackers and sweet drinks, ergo the cosmos. Anxiety management at its most sophisticated. Thanks for listening. GG