So as I continue to put together the list of things I'd like to accomplish, and what I want to say about poker, America, etc., I'm thinking that playing in the WSOP Main Event if at all possible seems like a no-brainer.
Because I likely won't be able to start my trip until mid-June, I'll have to start on the West Coast and work my way east. And in thinking about where the best place to start would be, I think a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge would be rather poetic.
Here's a VERY preliminary route. This just includes a few possible poker stopping points along the way, as well as some places that I think would add to the story, like stops in Washington, DC and Philly.
Part of the reason a west-east route is attractive as well is that it would allow me to end the trip with my own home game. After 4,500 miles and 2+ months on the road, it would be pretty awesome to play a game with old friends, and it would also make a great ending to the story, too.