Bucket Lists

In ten years+ of marriage, Erica and I have always had "Bucket List" conversations.  We have never kept a formal list, but rather from time to time have discussions of potential travel opportunities.  The funny thing about this list is that it keeps changing.  Unthought of places and activities arise.  Or friends and family might influence our ideas of where we might go.
Travel is often thought of as a past-time for those who are wealthy or retired (or usually both).  But a great American pastime was born back when our parents were kids.  The Family vacation.  And traditionally that incolved packing up a car, and sometimes a trailer with enough belongings to take a weeklong trip somewhere.  Niagara Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Route 66.  I can see the Pastel-colored sedans cruising down the highways.  Chrome shining as the children stare out the window at cactus, tumbleweed, or the roadside stands.  I remember playing "I spy" or "slug-bug" to pass the time.  I remember the 1978 econoline van had an extra fuel tank added to it to make sure we made it across the western expanses.  Of course now (nearing $4.00/gallon) instead of putting on larger tanks, we drive smaller cars.
As an adult, I am no stranger to road trips.  I used to go to Florida at least every other year for vacation.  And as an Iceboater (sailing on ice with 3 "skates" at break-neck speeds) I often piled into a vehicle with 1-5 fellow adrenalin junkies sometimes for 14 hour trips to Minnesota with little or no advance warning that the race would take place.
But here we have a unique opportunity.  Lets fly to Coos Bay, Oregon.   We pick up a car there and head south along the Pacific.  There are numerous places to see, but only less than 2 weeks to get home.  Redwoods, Wine Country, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Big Sur are amongst the sites that beckon us.  There is no hard-set itenerary...  just get home in time! 
Who knows who we will meet and what we will see?  One goal is to do some "birding". This time of year will offer us a chance to see some rare species on their migration paths to their summer homes.