Yeah if you can get your thoughts and plans for the first part of the RP organized and written down and a coGM you feel you can trust to carry things out while you're gone. That would be ideal for us.

Still though seventeen days is a long time to miss. Id completely understand if you'd prefer not to miss those important days. I think if we can find a good stopping point, a break could work too. 

If anything we just want to avoid GM-less wandering that'll get everyone bored with the RP before you get back.