>It seems strange; we’re actively working on becoming more sustainable, remaining frugal, taking care of our family and our earth.

Yet on the Bucket List is a road trip of many miles – coasting along Route 66.

Amigo would enjoy listening to local radio, eating at diners, and meeting new people. I would enjoy the trip, blog each milestone, and probably bring a Flat Stanley along for the ride. La Petite would photograph it, when she wasn’t sleeping through the daylight hours. Chuck? I’m not sure which part of the trip would be his favorite, but he’d probably find family along the way; his cousins are scattered across the U.S.A.

My goals for the trip include seeing different sections of the country, stopping at diners and local family restaurants, taking time out to visit history museums that honor the memory of the Mother Road. That’s what really drives me: the history piece. I love the idea that we’ll be traveling a route with so many memories, so many tales to tell.

Amigo and Chuck like to try local dishes — within reason. Sampling road food would be more exciting and (mostly) healthier than identical golden arches along the way. Simply reading the menu in some places would be an adventure! La Petite has convinced me to try and enjoy sushi, at long last, but Da Boyz still resist. She’d be more of an adventurous sort with the road foods, too.

Vehicle choice is a challenge. It’ll have to be something that can take heat, both humid and dry, to make a trip like this. Both of our current vehicles are elderly; neither will be suitable for a long trip. A rental rather than a new purchase would allow us to leave the car or minivan in California and catch the train home. We thoroughly enjoyed traveling on the Empire Builder from Wisconsin west to Washington; I am certain that the trip by rail would be fascinating and comfortable, too.

As for chronicling the trip, the blog is a good place to start. Daily like my other vacation journals or by topic, such as the Coffee Diary from another travel? Either would be effective.

Cost is an object. If this trip happens at all, it won’t be soon. Replacing the shower plumbing and fixing the upstairs bathroom are higher priorities. But someday, we’ll look for sponsors or grants or lottery winnings (just kidding, I don’t buy tickets), and we’ll hit the road — the Mother Road.