Zen, you're a treasure. I like the Kickstarter idea, but I'm unsure what talents I have that would make people open their wallets. I'll have to ponder that.

BikerHen, thanks. I don't think I'll be in the NW corner of the country when you go off to Glacier. My daughter will be getting her PhD in a few years (in Seattle) so I'm kind of planning on making her graduation a good destination for that leg. This could change. . .

Thanks all, for offers of beds/showers/riding companions. That is great, and a wonderful way to make the financing of this trip easier.

On the planning front, I'm seriously considering going up the Mississippi starting, um, late spring and chase the spring up the river. I may not chase it far in the 20 days or so that I'll have, but I'll have a blast while I can.