Tim I read your story of the trip very well documented and inspiring I will be doing the 4 Corners 2013 around the end of May thanks again for your story.
You're welcome,
Also, there is a meet-and-greet and dinner every year, usually in February, in southern California for all who have completed the ride (any year). Plan to attend that as well. When I went I met a guy who was in his mid-70's and had done the ride 13 times! Take your scrap book to the meet-and-greet and swap stories. It's just a fun time.
Planning the route and the dates is also lots of fun. The South and Southwest will be hot and the North will be chilly. It's not easy to strike a balance. The ride is easy to do and doesn't have the tight deadlines of an Iron Butt ride.
A friend went the year after I did. She rode a Sportster trike and dragged a trailer. She did a "Z" route - Madawaska, Key West, Blaine, San Ysidro. then she went to Michigan for "Women on Wheels" convention. If you have that kind of time you can see a lot of the country.