o be perfectly technical about things, I haven't left yet. I write this from my parents' house in Dallas, where I stopped to pick up my new and utterly baffling cell phone and to see if they might just buy me a few things. They did. My dad also taught me how to change a tire, and my mom is one of life's great listeners and so endured my endless road babble (and she makes a mean cup of coffee too).

I leave today for West Texas. That makes it time to disclose my Best-Guess Itinerary for the next four months, which I will update as things inevitably change. The best parts, if you're in a hurry, are May 18-30 in Alaska (I'll be accompanied by a friend, by the way, so don't panic) and, well, most of May actually. May and then June. July is good too, it's just looser. And I don't wanna diss April. April is my month, man.

Suggestions for activities/must-see attractions/restaurants/bars/stores/friends/places to stay are always appreciated, if not always taken.

April 1-2: Mom and Dad's (pick up cell phone, subtly milk folks for cool cash, Dad=tire changing, Mom=mean cup o' jo, will listen to anything)
April 3-5: West Texas - San Angelo, Marfa, McDonald Observatory
April 6-7: Santa Fe
April 7-11: Utah -- Mount Zion, Bryce Canyon
April 12-13: Las Vegas
April 14-17: Sedona, Ariz; Grand Canyon
April 18-30: Los Angeles
May 1-4: San Francisco
May 5-15: This is where it gets confusing. Basically this time will be camping in the Redwoods and the coast of Oregon, visiting Portland, maybe Olympia National Park
May 16-18: Seattle
May 18-30: Alaska
June 1-3: Glacier National Park
June 4-9: Montana
June 10-15: Yellowstone, Badlands, Mt. Rushmore
June 16-??: Oh God, this is hurting my head.
June ??-??: Have you ever noticed just how huge this country is?
June ??-??: There is no way I get all this done in time - Iowa, Madison, Michigan, Chicago, Canada, Maine (Maine for Chrissakes!), Boston, and then I'm supposed to be in:
July 4-14: New York City
After that: Washington DC
And then: the Appalachians, North Carolina, Atlanta, Nashville, Missippi, New Orleans and then
Aug 1: Houston (HA!)
Apr-Jul: Oh boy. Wish me luck.