Introduction

This journal chronicles a married couple’s attempt to visit every place in Patricia Schultz’ book 1000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die. Oliver and Laura were married on August 9th 2008 and honeymooned in beautiful Marietta, Ohio – unbeknownst to them at the time one of the “places.” That same summer, Oliver took a job as a high school teacher in Columbus, Ohio. Knowing that he would have the summers off, the following year the newlyweds decided to take a little vacation. Unfortunately, they had difficulty planning it as the country is filled with so many attractions and it is impossible to tell in advance if a place is truly as great as the brochures promise. Frustrated, the couple bought a copy of 1000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die to help guide this little vacation. However, flipping through the book a larger quest started to form in the mind of the young couple. Would it be possible to visit them all in one lifetime? (Doing a little research they discovered that even Patricia Schultz admits she has not personally visited every location in her book.) Oliver and Laura made a promise to each other that they would attempt to visit all 1000 places by their 50th wedding anniversary. They are regular people with limited means – but trying to do this while juggling real life is all part of the challenge. They hope you enjoy reading about their “ultimate road trip.”