the route

all right, two weeks out. ish. yesterday was two weeks out. but yesterday was busy. i didn't have time to post anything. so this is my two weeks out post.

almost there! only a few things left to collect (the elusive sunstrip is still...elusive), and then it's just a matter of figuring out how to fit everything on the bike (trust me, there will be photos).

till, then, i thought i'd post my route/itinerary so's you can all see exactly where i'm going. and by exact i mean the best approximation i can give, since everything is subject to change (and i find there is a very slim chance i might have to fly home for a night in the middle. more on that in a bit). but anyway, here is as finalized an itinerary as i will have (the cities are where i will be spending the night):

Aug 30- Seattle, WA to Corvallis, OR.

Aug 31- Corvallis to Arcata, CA.

Sept 1- Arcata to San Francisco, CA. Stay at Gaels hotel

Sept 2-5- San Francisco. Hurling tournament

Sept 5- San Francisco to Los Altos, CA.

Sept 6- Los Altos to LA, CA.

Sept 7- LA to Phoenix, AZ.

Sept 8- Phoenix to Albuquerque, NM.

Sept 9- Albuquerque to Black Kettle National Grasslands, OK. Camp

Sept 10- Black Kettle to Hot Springs, AR. Camp

Sept 11- Hot Springs to Indianola, MS.

Sept 12- Indianola to Conecuh National Forest, AL. Camp

Sept 13- Conecuh to Orlando, FL.

Sept 14- Orlando rest day

Sept 15- Orlando to Savannah, GA. Camp

Sept 16- Savannah to Greenville, NC.

Sept 17- Greenville rest day

Sept 18- Greenville to DC.

Sept 19- DC to Cleveland, OH.

Sept 20- Cleveland to Chicago, IL.

Sept 21- Chicago to Omaha, NE.

Sept 22- Omaha to Badlands, SD. Camp

Sept 23- Badlands to Yellowstone, WY. Camp

Sept 24- Yellowstone to Craters of the Moon, ID. Camp

Sept 25- Craters of the Moon to Walla Walla, WA.

Sept 26- Walla Walla to Seattle.

i've indicated where i'll be camping, the rest of the time i'll be staying with family or friends (i haven't put their names down, because i didn't want to ask them all for permission). there is a three day cushion, which i can always burn hanging around yellowstone or another of the parks at the end if i have time. here's what my map looks like now:

the green is a little hard to see. that's camping. the orange and pink are either family or friends. i am excited.

but wait, you say! why might i have to fly home in the middle of the trip? well, it would be for an interview, assuming i make it to the interview phase, in a residency i'm applying for. slim chances, but if it comes through i'm not going to pass it up. i'm not entirely thrilled about the idea of splitting up the trip like that, or flying home in the middle, it ruins the completeness of it, takes away some of the purity. however, i'm certainly not going to let this trip ruin what could be a career-making opportunity, and so i'm willing to make a small sacrifice. if it comes to that.

ok, that's all for now. i still have much work to do preparing my application for said residency, and i still have to find time to buy my last few articles and take my bike in for a fluids check. yeehaw. till next time.

rftc,

scott