I certainly do not have enough of these adventures in my life:) Looks like an awesome trip. You are right that were there is a will there is a way. We get conditioned to think that there is only one way to travel. Obviously, you have proved that with planning great things are possible. I think doing the "local" thing as much as possible is the key. That's where the true gems are. We were in Charleston, South Carolina and a local said forget the "tourist beach" here's the place to go. It was awesome.