The Journey

The rough plan — subject to change the moment we find somewhere worth staying an extra day.

Dashed markers are suggested stops, not locked in yet. Edit lib/route.ts as the plan firms up.

1. Stop 1

   Washington, D.C.

   The starting line.

2. Stop 2

   Gettysburg, PA

   Gettysburg National Military Park.

3. Stop 3

   Outer Banks, NCmaybe

   Somewhere on the Atlantic between DC and Charlotte — Rodanthe is the leading contender.

4. Stop 4

   Knoxville, TN

   Gateway to the Smokies.

5. Stop 5

   Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TNmaybe

   Most-visited national park in the country, right next to Knoxville — added since it barely counts as a detour.

6. Stop 6

   Badlands NP & Mount Rushmore, SDmaybe

   Suggested waypoint to break up the long haul from Tennessee to Yellowstone. Big detour if you're going straight there.

7. Stop 7

   Yellowstone National Park, WY

8. Stop 8

   Grand Teton National Park, WYmaybe

   Right next door to Yellowstone — most people do both in one go.

9. Stop 9

   Utah's National Parks

   Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands — the RV loop through the Mighty 5.

10. Stop 10

    Grand Canyon, AZmaybe

    A drop south from Utah, but it is the Grand Canyon.

11. Stop 11

    Seattle, WAmaybe

    Maybe — depends how the calendar looks by then.

12. Stop 12

    Alaskamaybe

    Big maybe — a long haul from Seattle. Decide once you see how much time is left.

13. Stop 13

    San Francisco, CA

    Exit point — end of November / early December.