Thank you all for so much great advice. I envisioned myself riding down the road with a rack on the back of my bike with a big blue floating bag that has what I need and a handlebar bag for quick get stuff. Maybe a front rack with some stuff on that. Still might go that route, but I probably need to get the gear together and see how small I can go. I have a tent (Kelty two person dome) that I do like. I can hang out in that tent and not feel like I am in some tiny cocoon. Have a sleeping bag that is light, but not that tiny. Thermarest that works. well enough. I want to be able to sleep in some comfort. I am 45 years old, not 25 when I slept on a floor for a year. Hope I can do this trip very cheap. My goal is as cheap as I can and document the expense of the trip, so people that are really on a budget can see how cheap you can do it. I suspect food will be the biggest expense, but I hope to eat at grocery stores most of the time. Probably always have peanut butter and bread on hand. Cheap and good fuel. Cliff bars come to mind as well.