There's no time like the present, while good health prevails, to launch a physically challenging project like riding a bicycle across our beautiful country. My good friend and long time riding companion, Len Slootmaker, and I will, in early August 2009, commence a cross country bike ride at Wa'atch Bay on the Olympic peninsula of the state of Washington. Approximately 6 weeks later we plan to arrive on the coast of Maine at Acadia National Park. We will follow the Northern Tier route maps provided by AdventureCycling.org with minor route alterations at the beginning of the trip in Washington and in the great lakes area. We will post photos and a diary of our adventure that I hope will both entertain and be of value to any who follow in our dissipated draft. We're hoping that riding friends who cannot commit the time required to make the whole trip will be able to join us along the way.