Random pre-trip observations

Ok, so we are three and a half weeks away from the trip.  A few thoughts:

• Here's hoping the Empire Builder is actually running by the time we go through there.  One line has just been opened by BNSF after the flooding in North Dakota, hopefully the others follow soon.
• Cell phone contract expires this weekend - time to upgrade!!  I want a fancy one for the trip.  Or an iPad.
• We still don't have much in the way of firm plans for what to do in Seattle and New Orleans.  But the hotels are booked, so that's good.
• The one thing I want to do in Seattle is the Underground Tour.  That looks neat.  We might do a meal at the Space Needle, but it's crazy expensive.
• I propose afternoon naps in New Orleans.  I have pretty much no desire to wander around in the August humidity in that city.  Evenings in the French Quarter sound nice, though.
• I still need to do some more ancestry stuff before the trip - complete Rosenberg family trees for that side of the family and some cool lineage stuff for Kathy - back to our super famous ancestors (how come people refuse to recognize my claims to the thrones of various European nations?!?!)
• Maybe find a new place to live? 
• Are there any bizarre things I need to remember to pack that I'm likely to forget?
• How many books should I pack?  I'm having a lot of trouble with this...
• Actually, I'm kinda stressed about the entire packing process.  
• I think we should place bets on the combined number of hours late we will be between all the trips...