Planning Leg 1: Austin to... Tulsa, Little Rock, Memphis, Hot Springs?

On the Road! Austin, Longview, Texarkana, Hope, Little Rock, St Louis

I recorded from my car as I drove the first leg of my trip. I departed from home in Austin on August 1 in the middle of a torrential thunderstorm, but made it safely to Longview. From there I stopped at the tri-state marker of TX-AR-LA, did some more border-hopping in Texarkana, visited the Clinton boyhood home and presidential library, hit up a lot of breweries, and took in a Cardinals game. Whew. I am WIPED.

Days 4-11: Chicago, Galena, Minneapolis, and... Carpenter, South Dakota?!

The solo part of the adventure comes to a close on the morning of Thursday, August 5, as Ryan picks up his wife and kids at O'Hare and makes the drive out to Galena, Illinois for the family reunion. There are some interesting pit stops and side trips, including the Field of Dreams site which will be preparing for a real MLB game that week. When the family gathering disbands, it's up to Minneapolis where Lauren gets dropped at the airport. That means Ryan is on his own from here on out with both kids (6 and 2). He has plans to take in a Twins game, Mall of America, and even the world's largest pheasant statue in Huron. Is he up for the challenge?

Days 2 and 3: Little Rock to St Louis to Chicago

Ryan has the remainder of his solo portion of the trip mostly planned out. Waking up in Little Rock, having breakfast, and hitting the road northward towards St Louis! On the way, he'll take in sights in Walnut Ridge and Poplar Bluff before soaking in the baseball atmosphere at a Cardinals game. On the third day, he'll drive northeast on Route 66 through Springfield and see the Abraham Lincoln home before meeting up with good buddy Bart in Chicago for a White Sox game and a big night on the town.

Planning Leg 1: Austin to... Tulsa, Little Rock, Memphis, Hot Springs?

Ryan has a big decision to make as he plans the first day of the journey, just four short weeks away. He mulls over several destination cities approximately 6-9 hours out of Austin, but zeroes in on Tulsa and Little Rock. While Tulsa is a very familiar city with lots of friends, he also considers Little Rock due to it being a new adventure.

The Idea

Ryan sets the stage for this season's trip, and establishes his love for the road by recalling some tales from past road trips, imperfect as they may have been. The destination? Galena, Illinois, predetermined by family members hosting a mini-reunion. But how exactly Ryan and family get there and back is very much up for debate.