Update: 11 am found us at the local aspca shelter, even tho i'd emailed them with the picture, we figured a personal visit wouldn't hurt, had to return in the afternoon, when they opened. The lady that pulls the lost info off the website was off today so she will do that and then they will have his picture.
We discussed that we will be able to remain in fairly close proximity till the 16th good news: bad news is that they said they normally don't ship pets home, but it is a no kill shelter and Geo said he'd drive the car back up if he has to.
We will be good here tonite and tomorrow nite and I suspect till we are supposed to leave for our friends in NH on the 7th.
Thanks to all your advice, I did just what you suggested, shaking food bowl, calling quietly, and we've left his litter box outside can't get more personal then that!
Gotta post this before I lose the connection again...thanks for the good wishes and support.