The Journey

The rough plan — subject to change the moment we find somewhere worth staying an extra day.

1. Stop 1

   Washington, D.C.

   The starting line.

2. Stop 2

   Outer Banks, NC

   Somewhere on the Atlantic — Rodanthe is the leading contender.

3. Stop 3

   Toronto, ON

   A swing north across the border.

4. Stop 4

   Back to the DMV

   Loop back through home before heading west.

5. Stop 5

   Knoxville, TN

   Gateway to the Smokies.

6. Stop 6

   Atlanta, GA

7. Stop 7

   Yellowstone National Park, WY

8. Stop 8

   Utah's National Parks

   Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands — the Mighty 5.

9. Stop 9

   New Mexico & Arizona Parks

   White Sands, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon country.

10. Stop 10

    California's National Parks

    Yosemite, Sequoia, and the Sierra.

11. Stop 11

    Big Sur & San Francisco, CA

    Exit point — end of November / early December.