On the Eve of Departure...

9:57: Conor arrives at Casa Friedman.

It is the night before we begin our epic journey to the West Coast. In 13 days, Conor and I will book it through the East Coast, stopping for the night in swing-state Ohio at a random campsite (this part of the trip is a bit ambiguous) before heading to St. Louis on Sunday to find Conor's dad's friend from medical school.

After tanking up on good food, goodwill, and potentially some good wine, we will head out to Kansas. I have exhaustively researched (read: 20 minutes searching on Google and calling campsites) camping options in Kansas, since I have concluded the only things in Kansas are:

• Two major universities, KU and KSU (one notable for a basketball championship and a coach who strongly resembles Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka):

KU Head Football Coach Eric Mangino (left) and Willy Wonka's Veruca Salt (right)

• Dust
• A few state parks
• At least seven park employees, two of whom are named Doris
• Dust
• Roads that stretch for 300 miles in a straight line

Anyway, we're camping out in lovely Kanapolis, KS, which although it seems like it has a typo is supposed to be extremely pretty, then heading out to Denver to link up with Conor's long-lost godfather.

Yes, you read that right: godfather.

After attempting to make some money busking, we will head out to Utah.

In Utah we will spend 2 days hiking and camping in the beautiful Zion Canyon area, where both Conor and I expect to witness breathtaking sights and breathtaking stupidity by yours truly as my experience in camping is fairly limited. No Outward Bound trips for me or anything. I've never carried my poop in a bag, never truly hope to, so I'll probably do something drastically wrong while in Mormon territory.

They came to my apartment once. Didn't end well.

After Utah, the M1&M2 parade will hit Vegas for a night. 'Nuff said. We will attempt to a) NOT wake up with Mike Tyson's tiger in the bathroom; and b) to remember most of it, if only to tell you, our faithful reader, about it. It promises to be an epic night.

After Vegas, we'll drive to SoCal (Conor is shuddering as he reads these words) and stay with some of Conor's Thacher friends. Conor is going to attempt to get me to ride a horse. If he succeeds, there will almost certainly be a story in it that involves a) bodily harm to me or b) stupidity, which is always funny. If he fails, I will be on foot chasing the horses. Equally funny, potentially more demeaning.

Finally, we'll head up the coast to San Francisco to make use of the Farese's incredible hospitality, incredible house, incredible city, and, yes Erin, their incredible espresso machine. 

So excited. Stay tuned and check back daily for our thoughts on the trip!

-Nate

PS Conor and I will periodically stop to busk in cities... uh oh.

PPS Thanks to Mike for letting us drive his car across the country! We appreciate the extra space, and I appreciate the extra speed. Lookin' forward to those long, straight roads...