Almost on the Road

Charlie's worried. His strategy for not getting left behind- sit next to our stuff.

So we really are getting on the road (we hope) tomorrow. The trip got delayed a couple of weeks but now the car is mostly packed and after finishing up a couple of more things we'll be ready to go. We want to leave early tomorrow but now we hear there is severe weather downstate  and are wondering if we should push it back a day--I guess we'll wait until the morning and see. What's one more day?

The big plan- road trip for the next couple of months. Our emphasis will be on finding warmer weather and natural beauty. Taking a slower pace. Mostly avoiding the interstate and enjoying smaller towns and out of the way places. Finding whatever each place's version of the largest ball of twine is.  Enjoy some good local food and music.

We hope to check out a number of national parks, seashores, and monuments. Heading south then west and eventually ending up at the Grand Canyon for a 4 day trek down into the canyon before heading north again.  This will require a detour through Boulder, CO where we'll leave  Charlie with his Aunt Jan and Uncle Phil, where he'll be thoroughly spoiled (no dogs allowed in the canyon.)

In the next week we'll head south- through downstate Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Stopping to see some family, taste a little bourbon, and go to our first National Park- Mammoth Cave.

Then onto the Gulf Islands National Seashore before turning west.

Mike has grand plans for camping and I'm sure we'll do a fair amount once we get south enough. I'm a tiny bit of a wimp when it comes to winter camping so we'll enjoy a dog friendly motel with Mike's new AARP discount if the weather doesn't cooperate.

We welcome any suggestions for interesting attractions, food, music or people to meet along the way. I tried to put the whole trip in so I could post a map but Mapquest couldn't handle that many stops and maybe we shouldn't think so far in advance anyways.

Marquette to the Gulf- 1604 miles per  Mapquest

New backpacking tent.  Definitely not enough room for two people and the dog. Charlie hasn't figured out that he's not invited for that part of the trip.