Shackleton has sold.

Tomorrow evening (Friday), Bobby, Elise and I will drive out to the trailer for one last sleepover. We’ll pull out the couch, have a movie night with popcorn and sleep one last time in our beds. The transport company is coming at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to tow Shackleton to his new home in Austin, TX.

As my dad said tonight, “Selling the trailer really puts the final nail in the coffin of the trip, doesn’t it?” He meant it in a supportive way (if it’s possible to use the word “coffin” while being supportive) because my dad knows how hard it will be for me to say goodbye. I am guilty of anthropomorphism — giving inanimate objects human attributes — and I hate change. The thought of not having Shackleton anymore makes my heart ache and my throat tighten.

Elise has inherited some of these characteristics and I worry that Saturday morning will be very hard for her. It’s important, though, that we head out there one last time and say goodbye. So send us your happiest thoughts Saturday morning — we’ll need them!