Six Things I Gotta See On This Trip

Countdown - 179 days

I'm excited about the trip for a few thousand reasons. But there are a half dozen reasons that will make this trip even more memorable. As I look forward to my route and to what I'll see along the way, there are at least six things that I feel like I must experience.

Let's take a look at them and hope that I don't jinx things just by bringing them up.

1. Mississippi River in Grand Forks, North Dakota - Something about the mighty Mississip winding it's way through this little town seems so interesting. Plus, when I worked at Knight Ridder, this was one of the places that -unfortunately- met with disaster of the natural kind. It seems that the town of Grand Forks flooded, and then the newspaper building caught fire and burned to the ground. Okay, so it's not exactly a happy reason.

2. Stonehenge (not the real one, but the one in...) Montana - I've never seen the real Stonehenge, but I've been to "Foamhenge" in Natural Bridge, Virginia. I think I owe it to myself to see this replica in rural Montana. Come to think of it, is there really something OTHER than 'rural Montana'?

3. Downtown Spokane, Washington - Why does this city intrigue me so much? I have no freakin' idea. I've read a bit about it, searched through various web pages about it, both official and unofficial. Maybe it's the fact that there seem to be whitewater rapids running right through the middle of downtown. I don't know what the allure is, but I'll let you know when I've found it.

4. Glacier National Park, Montana - I've seen nothing but amazing pictures about this place. My buddy Myles lives a couple of hours from there and has said nothing but amazing things about this place. I can't wait to experience the Going To The Sun Road, traveling from east to west. Don't worry about it, I'll get pictures.

5. Lionsgate Bridge, Vanouver British Columbia - This is my own personal landmark that will let me know I've hit my westernmost goal. Take a look at any pictures online about this mighty bridge and you'll see how beautiful it is.

6. Getting Hyderized in Hyder, Alaska - This just sounds like a blast. Something like a pure grain alcohol shot to celebrate the fact that you've made it to Alaska! I can't wait!