Many thanks, everyone! I do indeed feel very grateful to be doing what I'm doing. I've done the cubicle dance and I don't miss the gray walls and clock-watching.
I think that's the furthest I've driven that car in one shot since the Eureka Springs trip last year. When many 17 year old higher mileage cars would be struggling, this one has been a trooper.

It almost hit 80 degrees yesterday, but with wind gusts pushing 50mph I had to keep the top up.

I'm wondering when we are going to have winter here. It hasn't really shown up yet. the weather can turn on a dime in Oklahoma so I'm fearing a March full of pent-up violent winter storms!