Ze tour of zie USA 2002
:)

Ze facts

Where? Westerly half of North America
When November and December 2002
How long? 1 month
How many countries? 3
How many states? 11
How many cities? 15
How many new friends? 25
Why zis tour? 'cause I like it, dude!
How much money? $650 for transportation AND accommodation
Are you kidding? No way. I never joke with money!!!!
What's the secret? I'm not going to tell you :(
Please, please, Eric, tell us, you're so nice and handsome and elegant and raffiné!!!! Okay, since you're asking politely, here's the stuff:
  1. Buy a one-month Amtrak railpass
    => $270
  2. Sleep in hostels and Youth Hostels
    => $18/nite on the average
  3. Spend some nights on the train
    => given the schedule and duration of some trips, you'll HAVE to, anyway!
  4. Folks you meet in points 1, 2 and 3 above will inevitably give you more tricks...

This is an Amtrak railpass:

And this is the whole tour: