35 hours; 2,500 miles

As we all know, being in a car for three consecutive hours, for me, is a chore. Throughout most car rides I picture all of the activities and tasks I could be doing: walking, swimming, completing items on my "to do" list, farming, bungee jumping; you get the idea. However, for the next four days I am going to sit back and enjoy the ride because Jamie and I will be driving out to Kelly, Wyoming: 35 hours, 2,500 miles.

Although the drive seems daunting, we are well-prepared. Armed with books-on-tape, Trader Joe's pretzels, chips, and white cheddar popcorn, two months of catching up, and the intermittent nap, we are well on our way to a successful trip. I also plan on taking pictures of the changing landscape as we travel west along highway I-80.

Throughout our journey, we have been fortunate enough to find people who are willing to take us in, as bedraggled and tired as we might be. In Chicago, my cousin Rachel has agreed to open her doors to us after our initial 14-hour drive. Chelsea, my cousin's former nanny, is welcoming us in Omaha, Nebraska. Jamie and I decided to treat ourselves in Cheyenne and we are staying at a hotel in a room with an attached bathroom (a luxury we will soon forego for a year.) Upon arriving in Kelly, Wyoming we will set up camp and prepare for the coming weeks.

Despite my usual restlessness on car rides, I believe this trip is the perfect way to inaugurate our exciting year. Who knows, I might even find that car rides are not so bad...