Welcome to the new Cipollas on the Move blog. We are keeping the blog, as we always do when we are on a major trip with the kids. This time, we are actually moving as well. After over 2 years in New Jersey, we have decided to move back to Phoenix. We are doing things a little differently this time around. Instead of driving a uHaul, we have loaded up uBoxes (similar to PODS, but significantly cheaper), and now uHaul will ship the boxes to Phoenix for us. By doing this, we now have two drivers of cars. Charlie will drive the Yukon with the camper, and I will be driving the Honda with the dog. Yes, that is another change; this time we have a dog to take with us on the trip. Bo has never been on one of our epic journeys, so this will be a big adjustment for him. This is old hat for the cats; based on prior experience, I'm anticipating about 20 minutes of adjustment time for Pounce and Echo. In no time, Echo will be chilling on the dashboard watching the scenery go by.

Our plan was to leave this morning. We are, no surprise, already way off schedule. We woke up to a torrential downpour, and not having watched the news lately, we had no idea this was coming. So we quickly did the things we had to do on the camper and we now are taking our time because of the foul weather. We still have some odds and ends to deal with, the propane tanks need filling, the fridge and freezer still need filling and then there is the issue of us having no place to spend the night because of the holiday weekend. The bad weather might have ruined a few camping plans, so I will call the first campground on the itinerary and see if anyone is bailing out because of the weather, othewise we can squat on federal lands somewhere in the PA Wilds--which for the law-abiding among you readers--isn't really breaking any rules because my taxes have paid for my stay.

So, the itinerary for this trip is essentially as follows (and readers of my other travel blogs know we don't adhere to our own plans all that strictly, so don't hold me to this):

• Corry PA-To visit my parents
• Wisconsin Dells-I have no idea what is there, I need to look this up
• South Dakota (Mt Rushmore, The Badlands and the Caves)
• Yellowstone and Teton
• Utah-Going to visit the major parks that aren't too hot this time of year.
• Arizona--Might swing by a few sites before we head for Phoenix

We still have a few things to work on before we leave, I'll post another post when we get wherever we end up today (that is if there is any internet access--and readers of my blogs, know I often compose posts in remote locations and uplaod them the next time we can get internet access.)

I hope everyone is having a nice July 4th weekend wherever you are!