Pre-travel planning isn't easy. Some frequent flyers have it down to a science, I'm sure. But an extended departure is tough no matter how you slice or dice it.

The bulk of my travelling has come by way of a 4 year military enlistment in the Navy. It took me to Southeast Asia, the Pacific Rim, and a stint in the Persian Gulf during America's unfortunate First Gulf War. I also visited Australia and parts of Saudi Arabia. With the exception of some long, rowdy weekends ashore, I slept in my bunk on the ship every night.

Prior to that I volunteered three months of service to a community health organization. I lived in a poor village outside of Guanajuato, Mexico and organized a community sanitation program along side of a reforestation effort to prevent local erosion. I was 16 at the time.

My wife and I shared 3 wonderful trips to Jamaica and Playa Del Carmen, but they never ran longer than two weeks.

Five weeks is another animal altogether. I've never done anything quite like this.

Getting a home ready for long-term hibernation is also an odd experience. The yard is raked, I have light timers, and I'm following through with some long overdue maintenence. Purchased a fire safe, just in case. I'll remove the starter fuse in my car, pay bills early, and get our plants together. Organizing the house sitters comes next week.

Aside from the house, we have two pets to consider: a very loving large dog and an ornery, but amusing, parrot. They are truly like children, and the parental/owner sense of obligation makes the inevitable separation tough to swallow sometimes. We get teary when we talk about it too much.

I liken this experience to sending kids off for a month of summer camp. As a boy, I hated leaving home, but I loved camp. I'm sure it's a tough experience for parents to endure. Boarders and housesitters will have to do.

I share this merely for the curious reader who wonders, "Maybe I could do something like this?"

My answer is: yes you can. Just be ready for the heebie-jeebies and a ton of chores. It's worth it, no matter what.