Late December

Home Up

I get the bug to go on this quest.  It looks fairly doable.  I download the file of stamp locations from Eastern National http://www.eparks.com/eparks/cancels.pdf.  I also order the passport book from them.  Using the file and the NPS web site – especially the state map National Park Guide Map, I start to plan several trips on Microsoft Streets and Trips (I currently am using the 2002 version).  I eventually settle on an initial plan of 6 trips, all starting and ending in Sylmar, CA (just north of Los Angeles).

bulletMaine->Florida – about 22 days, incl. layover days
bulletWashington->Oregon->Northern CA – 4 days
bulletNorth/Central AZ – 3 days
bulletAuburn->San Francisco – 2 days (Dad lives in Auburn)
bulletUpper & Lower Deserts – 2 days
bulletVentura County – ½ day

I also decide on the silver award, there seems like less people are going that.