We headed out on June 2 to begin our quest. Here are a few highlights from the year:

• 15 states
• 11 National Parks
• 4 National Lakeshores
• 7,000 miles driven (roughly)
• 5,000 miles on motorcycle (roughly)
• 1,962.94 miles on bicycle

Best of:

• State
  • Montana
• Campground
  • Kreher RV Park run by the city of Ashland, WI, right on Lake Superior
•  Boondocking
  • the corner of the rivers in Red Lodge, Montana
• National Park
  • Zion
• Wildlife Viewing
  • Ashley – bear in Minnesota
  • Matthew – Bison herd 20′ away at Teddy Roosevelt National Park
• Experience
  • RAGBRAI
• Hike
  • Matthew – up to Mt. Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park
  • Ashley – Timberline Trail in Beartooth Wilderness, Montana
• coffee shop
  • overall – Pipers in Paducah, KY
  • from the road – Ashley – Bead & Berry in Maricopa, AZ
  • from the road – Matthew – Bold Roost in Gilbert, AZ
• food
  • Ashley – Ethiopian food from restaurant w/ Joni & Jim
  • Matthew – home-made tamales from lady while selling fireworks
  • (nb: they’re basically tied, we couldn’t decide and just split them)
  • Matthew – Also, Joni’s home-made bread!

Worst:

• Bike ride
  • sandy, eternal trip in Wisconsin
• Hike
  • Sleeping Bear Sand dunes – out to the Lake (take water and a rain jacket!)
• Campground (least favorite)
  • Bryce Canyon Resort outside of Bryce Canyon, UT – basically a trailer park w/ no views
• Overnight Stay
  • pick a WalMart