Departure

Today I begin my trip across my country.  After various delays, I now feel prepared to embark.  First route: heading north from Atlanta through Georgia and into North Carolina to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cherokee, NC.  I plan to arrive in Washington, D.C., by Friday, or Saturday at the latest.

The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then?  I cannot say.

Smooth Entry

A reasonable solution to my recent angst over park entry fees: America the Beautiful Annual National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass (http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm).  For $80 this pass guarantees free entry to all national parks that otherwise require a fee.  The pass does not, however, cover "Extended Amenity Fees" such as campgrounds.  Looks like I'll have to determine more creative means to sleep in national parks.  In any event, I plan to tally the money saved on entrance fee exemptions through the Annual Pass.  How many national parks will I see from sea to shining sea?

Many.

Preparations nearly complete, leaving Wednesday (6/8/2011).  For those of you who have signed the spreadsheet, especially East Coast city-dwellers and California Dreamers, anticipate a call from me soon.