September 18th: some last-minute prep. I give up (for now) on a new bag for the tire jack, pack the jack into the damaged but correct bag, secure it the wheel of the spare tire with the aged spring, and store the whole assembly into the upper position.

Next, I make sure that the lighter element I have in the car a) heats up correctly and b) doesn't blow the fuse. Good on both counts—moving on.

Finally, checking the megabuck ($895 in 1984!) stereo. There's serious contact noise on the bass slider, but that's what contact cleaner is for. Fixed—but I think I'll bring the cleaner with me to Altoona. Now, the cassette. The Cars Heartbeat City goes in. It plays nicely in forward, but slowly in reverse—I think that's the belts. The stereo will likely have to get rebuilt … again.

3 days to go.