the trip has started! well, kind of. I'm in toledo visiting my family, dana is in bowling green visiting his friend Jeff.

We will be meeting up tomorrow so that i can drop him off at the airport to go to Yosemite, and i will head off to Chicago to pick up the Jeep from Eric. Yes, we're taking the Jeep. After much debate, it became oh-so-apparent once we packed the car. (and some of the places I want to visit suggest a 4 wheel drive vehicle) It is disapointing that we won't be saving the money (and comsuming less) on the the gas, but i think it's the right decision.

I am still having an ongoing debate with myself about whether or not to buy a nicer digital camera... perhaps in minneapolis...

check back next week for some real trip news - we should be in montana by then, and perhaps have climbed devils tower... i know the suspense is killing you!

So the planning is coming to an end, for now. we have a ton of destinations set up - all while realizing that we will probably only visit a fraction of them. ;) the plan is to be flexable.

here's our basic itinerary:
* First Major stop for Julie is the Outward Bound Base Camp in Ely, MN.
* First Major stop for Dana is Yosemite
* We'll meet up at the Minneaoplis Airport on Oct 1, and then really start our trip.
* Devils Tower, Wyoming. To climb or not to climb....
* Montana (Bozeman, Humbug Spires for climbing, Cody, Wyoming for fun and bouldering, visit Yellowstone and the Tetons.)
* Oregon - Bend, Hood River, Oregon Coast. Lots of options.
* Back through Idaho (City of Rocks for climbing)
* Down to Utah (TONS of stuff - Joe's Valley, Moab and Arches, more more more!) Maybe stop into colorado...
* The Grand Canyon
* California - Bishop, Joshua Tree
* maybe down to Heuco in Texas
* home!

let us know what you think, and check back often for updates!

Julie and Dana

planning

Dana and I are planning our cross country trip. figuring out milage. meals. gear. places to stop. which car to take. with gas prices the way they are, i'm pretty sure we'll be taking the hybrid. i just hope we can fit all our stuff in it, and don't have too many rain days to camp in... ;) we'll be fine though.

any suggestions on where to stop? let us know...