It’s been nearly three years since I retired. I didn’t do any of the stereotypical retiree things – I didn’t downsize my house, didn’t move to Florida or Arizona, didn’t take up golfing.

I’ve decided however, that it’s time for a dramatic change in my life. So, after living nearly 30 years in West Seattle, I’m selling my house and embarking on an open-ended cross country road trip. Not sure where all I’m going to go or how long I’l be gone or even where I’ll land when I’m done.

Ideally I’ll travel through and do something of significance in each of the other 47 contiguous states. I’ve decided that “something of significance” can be one or more of the following:

• A natural attraction, such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona or Glacier National Park in Montana.
• A significant drive, like California Highway one (though it’s currently closed in the Big Sur area) or the Overseas Highway to Key West, Florida.
• Museums (and my definition of “Museum” is pretty broad, some simple little tourist trap place would work).
• Three or more nights in one city within a state, or two or more nights each in two or more cities within a state.

A couple of other goals as I travel state to state:

• Try to get some touristy little trinket, like a keychain, shot glass or bumper sticker with the state’s name on it.
• Eat one iconic food in each state. In some cases, this is easy: Lobster in Maine, blue crab in Maryland, pork tenderloin sandwiches in Iowa, gulf shrimp in Florida. Other states may require some research.

Some general rules of the road (which of course, will be violated at times):

• No more than six hours of driving a day
• No more than three consecutive driving days before spending two or more nights in the same place.
• About once a month, get a place with a kitchen for a few nights.
• Avoid freeways as much as possible
• Don’t have plans/booked rooms for more than a week or so out. Try to decide “what’s next” as I go.

I’ll try to post a little bit every day, even if it’s just “I’m driving from point A to point B” today. Other days the posts will be more extensive – stories of the road, photos of of the places I visit, and of course, photos of the great food I expect to find.

I ask one favor of all of you as you follow along on my travels. If I’m somewhere that you’re familiar with, I would love some suggestions about what to see and where to eat. You can either comment here, comment or message me on Facebook or send me an email at twobottles@icloud.com

Off I go!