New States! Now with photographic evidence.

So during this road trip, D took me to 4 new states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Two states were on the way (Illinois and Wisconsin) and two D took me to just because they were close and he wanted to help me knock off as many as possible.

First, we hit Illinois on Friday night--drove right through Chicago, which was beautiful at night. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture of the skyline because my camera doesn't take good pictures at night. We spent the night in a Super 8 in Illinois too, so I actually set foot in the state too. Picture below. It's not so great, but that the Welcome to Illinois sign.
Next up was Wisconsin. We got there Saturday before noon. After driving from 9am to 11pm (Central time too, so really 12) on Friday, it was a quick jaunt to Tomah, our final destination. Here's some photographic evidence from Wisconsin.
This is my failed attempt at taking a picture of the Welcome to Wisconsin. In any direction out of Wisconsin we went, this was the only sign--nothing on the side of the road, just Welcome to Wisconsin carved in wood planks. More proof:
This one's from the way back from Wisconsin after our quick trip to Minnesota.

We went to Minnesota on Tuesday--after we went to LaCrosse, we just hopped across the Mississippi River and into Minnesota. I tried to get the Welcome to Minnesota sign, but all I could get was the -ota.

And finally, here's Michigan. We got there on Saturday morning on the trip back. D took the Indiana toll road specifically so we could just hop across the boarder (the toll road runs right next to the Michigan state line. It was right by Notre Dame.

Upcoming Goals

So, D and I are headed off on our week-long roadtrip to Wisconsin in exactly one week. In the next week (before the trip) and over the course of the trip itself, I'm looking forward to starting a bunch of goals, and completing a few as well.

Next Wednesday, I take the GRE for the first time, hopefully completing goal 18. I'd really like do well the first go 'round, because a) the GRE is flippin' expensive and b) I'd really rather not study any more than I already have. Also, I really don't have much time to retake the test before I submit the scores to the grad program. Wish me luck! I'm probably going to be a hermit between now and Wednesday, with the exception of a therapy appointment, and a possible going away dinner with some friends, otherwise it's all library all the time.

On our road trip, I'll definitely be visiting at least 3 new states (with the possibility of one or two more, depending on our route): Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota for sure. Possibily Michigan, too. So I'll get to start on goal 33 and fill in my map some more. There would be more states, but thanks to some relatives in Louisville, I've been to Indiana (yay Holiday World!) and Ohio (yay layover!). I should also be able to take some pictures of the signs and of the other goals on the list. Some will be posted (the ones that are least likely to prevent me from getting a job), others will be kept only for posterity, so goal 97 will be on it's way.

On the way there, I'm hoping to plaster some poetry in public restroom stall walls across the country (goal 46). I've put a sharpie and my marble poetry notebooks on my list of shit I need to bring, and I'll try and sneak a camera in with me a few times so I can document my vandalism. Also, I'm hoping to procure a copy of the Sunday Times so D and I can attempt the crossword during the drive. He tells me we should be able to find the Times when we get out there (maybe at a book store if nothing else). I figure it'll be a good way to pass the time (goal 29).

There has been much debauchery planned for when we get down there. I'm not really looking forward to a bunch of keggers (especially with a bunch of people I don't know), but I figure I'll muddle through. Lord knows I've dragged D into more than enough clothing/book/girly stores that he's more than paid his due. So far, definitely on the roster: purchase of a keg, a toga party (yes, really), a trip to the strip club for one of the guys' birthdays (I'm hoping to get a lap dance out of it, and I can cross goal 11 off my list), and his friend is growing weed for us. Provided I can actually get high the first time (I've been told whether or not this happens depends on how much I smoke and the quality of the 'product'), I'll be able to check off goal 35.

I'm sure I'll make one more post before I leave, probably after the GRE on Wednesday. I won't be able to update everything else until I get back the next Saturday (and probably not until the next day anyhow), but I'll bring a notebook along with me so I can keep track of everything.

Until then--adios!

84. Visit Yellowstone National Park

What is it: Basically, I just want to see it--one of my country's own natural wonders--while it's still around. I don't know which parts or how I'll accomplish it yet (camping? road trip?) but I do know I want to do the cliche touristy things. Old faithful (that's Yellowstone, right?), etc. D is game, and my brother has mentioned plans for a cross-the-country two month traveling comping trip, so I'm sure I can at least drop in.




Status: Haven't started.

78. Go on a cruise

What is it: I've never done one of these, so this is on my goal mostly to see if I'll like it or not. Going on a cruise is a nice vacation in itself, but it also present some opportunities for other fun things--swimming with sea turtles, climbing pyramids in mexico, visiting another country. D is definitely game, and actually has mentioned going on a cruise to Alaska (also cool, though I'd prefer something more tropical).





Status: Haven't started.

33. Visit 20 new states

What is it: So far, I've visited 17 states. Here's my map:

visited 17 states (34%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or jurisdische veraling duits?

As you can see, most of the states I've visited are concentrated along the Eastern Seaboard and Kentucky and surrounding areas (thanks to an Aunt and Uncle in Louisville). I want to branch out and explore other parts of my own country.

A bunch of my other tasks should aid in the completion of this one--62 and 84--and D and I are taking a road trip out to Wisconsin in August, so I should hit a few more in the process.





Status: 4/20
Illinois 8/14/09
Wisconsin 8/15/09
Minnesota 8/18/09
Michigan 8/22/09

41. Travel to another country

What is it: Technically, I've been to another country (the Bahamas), but I don't count it and here's why: I went to the Bahamas when you could still use your birth certificate, not a passport. Ideally, I'd like to travel to somewhere far away--Europe, Asia, South America--but constraints on money and time are likely to prevent that, at least for now. Mexico or Canada are far more likely.



Status: Haven't started

3. Get a passport

What is it: The only time I've ever been outside of the country were a few family vacations in the Bahamas when I was younger before you needed anything other than a copy of your birth certificate to go to certain other countries. So, I've never gotten a passport because I've never really needed one. Being a citizen of the world *ahem*, naturally I want to have my passport just in case. I figure this task shouldn't be too hard to accomplish--just some red tape and paper work, and it's completion will certainly help with task 41.





Status: Not Started