Seasons will dictate the route

The fall is going to sneak up on me really fast. I really don't want to wait to start this trip in the spring.

Ideally, I would start in Maine in the early fall and travel through all of New England and the Mid-Atlantic states before heading west. The days of travel across the Dakotas, Montana and, well, any state that borders Canada will surely be beautiful and cool. Heading down the Pacific coastline will be pleasant with the cool breezes off the Pacific Rim.

Hopefully, mother nature and the weather babes on tv will forecast cooling temperatures befoe my pegs scrape the curvy asphalt paths through Nevada and Arizona.

Texas? Just shoot me now! The route actually hugs Oklahoma through most of Texas and with any luck, will provide pleasant, flat, bland miles between coffee shops.

Coffee, you ask? That's where you find the best conversations. I hear too many times about travellers stopping in bars to meet locals and find great conversations. I beg to differ. Think about it; Stopping in a bar would typically mean nightlife and singles searching for each other.

However, stopping in coffee shops would expose you to a cross section of the population as a whole. Let's see, who would we find in a coffee shop?

A possible meeting of town leaders, discussing current affairs.
A group of college students contemplating their own futures.
Two to three people reading black text on large, folded sheets of newspaper to keep ahead of the times.
Two young women sharing intimate thoughts as they try to hide their love for each other.
And the guy behind the counter? Gay as the floral top on that latte he just swirled. But, who cares? I am sure he knows more about coffee beans and fair trade, global market plans, than anyone in town. I have to strike up a conversation with each and everyone of these people to truly get a sense of what the town is all about.

Oh, there is a possible plan on the back burner, which would gain extra knowledge of each little hamlet; I must have long hair when the trip begins. Why? So I have a serious excuse to spend quality time in a barber's chair in as many cities, towns and villages I visit. "Just take a little off the sides." Geez, how long can that last? Maybe every other visit would be a hair cut and the others would be to change the shape of facial hair. This should be interesting! I have to remember to take lots of pictures to post each night. (or early in the mornings after late-night events)

Ok, back to the seasons; A springtime trip would have to start in Florida and run a complete reverse direction as the fall trip to keep up with rising temps south to north.

Summary: 49 states, 49 towns, 49 days, 49 haircuts (or shaves), 490 cups of coffee Perfect!