Our next adventure: across the United States by planes, trains and automobiles.

Over the last three years Mike and I have visited England four times, spent weeks in Canada, Bermuda and New Zealand. So for our vacation this year, we decided to explore our own country for a change; coast to coast. By doing so we will check off two items on our bucket list: overnight train travel, and Yosemite National Park.

Our trip will start at Newark Liberty Airport, which may be a hassle as at the moment, it is a troubled and delay-plagued hub. From there we will fly to Chicago, where we’ll spend some time with my cousin, explore the city and catch a concert or two.

In Chicago we will board The California Zephyr Amtrak train. The three day, two night journey will take us across the United States to San Francisco. From all accounts it is one of the most spectacular train trips in the world. And we’ll have our own sleeper cabin to enjoy it in. Check one!

In San Francisco our home base will be Haight-Ashbury. Other than a sailing tour in The Bay, we have no plans but to go on some long walks, soak up good vibes and share memories of our time there in 1990.

Then, the real reason for the trip: Yosemite National Park, a place that enraptured us during the one short day we spent there in 1992, with our tiny infant daughter. We’ve tried and failed to go back ever since. Now that changes. Over five days we will explore Yosemite by car and foot, from early morning to late at night. Check two!

We’ll round out the trip in Napa, and visit a place that holds a very special place in my heart: Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, where I worked long ago.

It will be a trip of new adventures and old memories. We’ll be glad to have you along for the ride.