Bob Skelding is making the final preparations for his journey and is scheduled to leave his home in Deerfield Saturday, WMUR-TV, Manchester, reported.

"I'm not going nowhere," he said. "I'm not trying to make the West Coast at such and such a time or the East Coast. I'm not supporting a cause. I'm just going out and seeing everybody and having a good time."

Skelding, whose marriage ended recently, is taking only one companion, his 17-year-old poodle, Clementine.

He expects to travel about 10 miles a day in the horse-drawn vehicle. He decided on the trip in February and put together a portable home that includes a hot-water shower and a small kitchen.

"It's like opening up a Christmas gift every day," he said. "If you knew what was behind every corner, life wouldn't be fun. It would be boring."