Planning for Mahabaleshwar

Finally, a plan that was on paper for quite some time, was executed today.
I and Swati were planning a trip to Mahabaleshwar for almost a month. But for some reason or the other, it would not materialize. But today, finally, we made it to Mahabaleshwar :-)

We returned to Pune from Nashik on 14th. We knew that we have one weekend in hand, before our next trip to Nashik. And then we decided to go to Mahabaleshwar on this weekend. Why mahabaleshwar? well, actually there is nothing special about this place (not atleast for us!). We just wanted to go to some place near (?) Pune, on bike! So the options were ...
1) Some Ganapati mandir (Astavinayak mandir).
2) Lonawala / Khandala
3) Matheran
4) Panchgani / Mahabaleshwar

Now Ashtavinayak were ruled out, as it would have been (strictly) a few hours trip. We wanted to spend the weekend at some place (at least one complete day). Now out of the remaining options, Matheran was ruled out, as one can not take vehicles up there. You have to park then somewhere (no idea where) and the walk to the main city. So 'I' canceled the idea. I have been to Lonawala, and I just cant think 'what a person can do in Lonawala in summer?'. I believe Lonawala/Khandala are places to be visited only during and immediately after monsoon. So we were left with only one option.

Panchgani / Mahabaleshwar was a considerable option.
The reasons ...
1) The place(s) is at a drivable distance from Pune. (120km - approx. 3 hrs drive)
2) The place(s) is known as a 'Hill station'. A perfect place to visit in Summer?

So ... the plan was fixed, the tank was filled full, the bags packed, alarm set and we went to bed dreaming about tomorrows drive.

To be frank, I was a little nervous. I have been doing long drives (Pune - Nashik ... 210km) pretty regularly. But in last 3 years, there was not even one drive when I took someone along. But this time, Swati would be with me! I was thinking about a lot of worst case scenarios ...
its a long drive. she has never done this before. would she be comfortable? what would happen if the tyre goes bust in the middle of nowhere? what would happen if we meet with some accident? etc. etc. etc. Actually I always think of such worst case scenarios when I start for Nashik. But then, I am always alone, and don't have to think about anyone else but myself. But things are different when someone ... your wife ... your love is going to be with you :-)

well ... in spite of all these negative thoughts, I decided to give it a try. and there we were ... at 6.30 in the morning ... on our way to Mahabaleshwar!