Saturday, February 23, 2008

Leg One of Proposed Route


Okay gang,

Despite the many actual responsibilities that occupy my "to do" list, I'm finding it necessary to chart out a course for this summer's trip. You can see the graphic above thanks to mapquest.
This is always how I begin to imagine road trips, from above, an animated line making steady progress across the continent. The next step is to begin formulating a montage of hijinx and misadventures, meaningful exchanges, nights of debauchery, romantic trists, narrow getaways, all aboard a steadily deteriorating vehicle. You say cliche; I say the summer of a lifetime. Who's in?

8 comments:

Sally said...

I don't see Key West on your route! I vote that your last stop is the Southernmost Point of America, home of Hemingway & Tennessee Williams. Finish off the tour under a palm tree, drink in hand, reading a passage to the ocean while facing Cuba!

Ric said...

Indeed, as I noted this is the first leg. Actually, Mapquest only allows for ten stops per map. Leg two is forthcoming and will indeed lead all the way to Key West.

St said...

Holy Christ, that whole thing is just the first leg?

Well hey, whatever, I'm in. I'm totally going to write an essay about it and pitch it to the Believer or something. Between that and the documentary, you'll have the most-documented book tour in history.

What's the vehicle in question?

Ric said...

My initial plan was to take the car I have now. The car would also act as a working petition. Supportors would sign the actual car as a pledge to support their local bookstore. But I wonder about the practicality of such a plan. It's a lot of miles for a 1985 Nissan Sentra station wagon. Maybe a rental? What do you think? I can drop you off in Philly if you want. I'm thinking I'll take a train to Savannah, Georgia, where I'll get picked up by relatives. I hope you are in some way serious. It will be good times.

Fr. Big said...

Polk County in the house!

Hope this jaunt brings you to Baltimore. When you travel, always remember this: WWLJD (What Would Les Jones Do?)

Stiring and stiring and stiring my brew

Erin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin said...

You can be certain that I'm joining for some portion of these hijinx (savings permitting, though this sounds like a pretty low budget affair). I can't read from that map though, are you going to Boston? I have the hookup there. You can sleep in my parents luxurious basement (right next to the kitty litter box!) and I can snag you a reading fo sho. Keep me posted...

Ric said...

Yes, Boston is on the schedule. Thanks for the offers. I very much look forward to it.
I was going to email you about this summer. I wondered if you might be available for all or part of the journey. I'm putting you down. Great news!