Improvization

Original plan was to circle around the country, stop off in Alaska, and get back to New York by the end of October. 5 months is all you need to drive around the country right?

Well sure. That's a pretty excessive amount of time if you're driving around just to get from coast to coast or if you have one major destination in mind. But for a trip that has several major destinations and at least one significant break down, you need a bit more time.

Here I am in Roswell, New Mexico and it's already been 4 and a half months.

I still have to get to Utah, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington before Alaska; which is kind of the big turnaround point in this trip.





Alaska.




Alaska.



I have been looking toward Alaska as the ultimate destination since setting out on this trip. Alaska represents something to me. I'm not 100% sure what, but it stands out in my mind. Maybe because riding a motorcycle into Alaska is an impressive undertaking in and of itself, and it's a sense of accomplishment that I seek. Maybe I simply remember how stunningly beautiful Alaska is, and I want to experience that again with a better appreciation for it. Maybe I'm still sour over never being able to beat Oregon Trail on the Apple IIGS all those years ago and I need to put that game in it's place.

Anyway, Alaska is not an if. It's a when. And I think by the time I get to Northern California, as I intend to go, it will be in the dead of winter and I won't be able to get to Alaska.

So the new plan:
Spend the entire winter in California, earning as much money as I can, and head up to Alaska through Oregon, Washington, and B.C. in the spring. I'll probably be back to New York next September...but no promises.