After I tell people what we are doing, a common question I get is, “Where will you go first?”

We have yet to make firm plans but we do have an initial outline. We plan to remain near Seattle through Thanksgiving for two reasons: to have time to see friends and to practice towing and using the trailer while still close to assistance and familiar resources. Because it will be winter by the time we hit the road we will start by going south, likely taking the coastal highway through Oregon and California. I’ve heard it is a pretty amazing drive and we have friends in Portland and in California we could visit as we travel. I suspect weather will somewhat determine how quickly we make our way south.

We will continue the “Snowbird” strategy, heading south in the winter and north in the summer trying to avoid extreme weather both for comfort and safe driving. One of the things that we both very much want to see are the western national parks like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and so forth. I plant to plot a course north through them as the weather permits access. Ideally we can work our way north and possibly make a trip up to Alaska mid to late Summer, then make the trip back in the Fall.

From there we likely work our way east zigzagging north and south across the country until all the states have been visited. We don’t know how long this will take but there is no schedule to keep. Part of the idea of the whole trip is to take our time, follow up on opportunities and discoveries, and not feel bound by time and place.

As we get closer to our departure date we will have some specific plans, and we intend to keep everyone well up to date on our current location and upcoming destinations. Any recommendations and suggestions you may have would be appreciated.