Ok – so here I am trying to set up this blog when I really should be packing. . .
Janel, Johnny and I are leaving in the morning for our adventure across the USA. Our plan is to eventually (July 21) meet up with Rich “somewhere” in South Dakota (probably). To get there we plan to visit Santa Fe (NM), Salida (CO) for whitewater rafting and ziplining, Kearney (NE) for what?, then on to Yankton (SD) or thereabouts where we will meet Rich who has been biking across North Dakota on his way to Iowa for RAGBRAI. (RAGBRAI is a huge week long bike ride – 10,000 riders – across Iowa).
When we meet Rich we plan to play some golf to let him rest from biking. We’ll stay in Sioux City (IA) because that is where RAGBRAI begins on July 25. We will dump Rich for his ride and Johnny, Janel and I will continue on to Lincoln (to visit Janet/Eric), then to Chicago (for some “city time”) before heading back to Dubuque (IA) to pick up Rich.
After Dubuque we will motor down to Evansville for a little family reunion with Mom/Dad/Alan/Janet/Eric. We haven’t all been together for over a year. When we leave Evansville we will go south to Florence (AL) to visit Rich’s stepmom (Mary), then on to New Orleans for a little Bourbon Street action. During our trip back West from New Orleans we plan to stop in Keller (TX) and see Rich’s sister Betsy, Mike, David and Abby before making our final journey back to Mesa.
Whew! Do you think we will make it? Do you think there will be any wailing and gnashing of teeth? Do you think I will have pulled ALL my hair out by the end? Place your bets and let the party roll.
The Right Road 
I know you’re all going to have a wonderful time and have many adventures (culinary and otherwise) along the way. We’re happy to be on the itinerary!