Three Days Left...

...until I start my adventure through America. Here's what Google and I have planned.

I'll leave Monroe sometime Monday morning and head north toward Cleveland. Right now, I plan to take the road less traveled, and head toward the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. From there, I'll head northeast to I-77 and Eastern Ohio, ultimately arriving at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in South Euclid. I plan to visit my grandparent's graves, see the house where I grew up, then head toward Saline, Michigan and a visit with my sister and mom.

It's kind of up in the air from there. About the only things I really want to see on the way west toward Ennis, Montana are Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. I think I'll abandon the Interstate and take a trip through the badlands as well. I'll have 3 cameras and plan to fill up the hard drive on my laptop with pictures and videos.

From Rapid City, it's an easy day's drive to Ennis, through most of Montana.

By this time, I'll have used up a week of my journey, and will be ready to throw myself on the mercy of Teddy and his cousin for a week. According to Teddy, his cousin knows places to fish that the local guides don't. I'm dreaming of a trout as long as my arm.

Since we'll be only about an hour from West Yellowstone, Teddy and I plan to take a break from the fishing orgy and do a one-day flyby of Yellowstone National Park.

Once I've fished myself sick, I'll point the Jeep southeast toward Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The rock there was a major landmark on the Oregon trail. Then it's on to the obligatory visit to Sidney, Nebraska and the home of Cabela's. Two rest stops later, I'll be in Seward, Nebraska where I went to college and Bobby was born.

Seward is only 4 1/2 hours from Concordia, so that's my next stop. I'll visit with Marilyn's mom, and should be there in time for her birthday.

From there, it's two days on the road to Home where I'll get to see the new kitchen and the sorely missed Marilyn, Wally and Gizmo.

This weekend, I'll be packing the Jeep and running around with the video camera trying to get greetings to grandmothers from grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

You have been warned. Beware of Camera-wielding-ne're-do-wells.