Danny's life is a citadel of caution, surrounded by a sea of adventure. He is about to go for a swim.
A former college professor, Danny Frenelli has been in a rut since his career plans were dashed when he failed to win tenure. For the last ten years, Danny has been living a pleasant, comfortable, but unsatisfying life. As he reaches middle age and former students begin to appear as Danny's rivals at work, it begins to dawn on him that the world has been moving on without him, and he fears that it will pass him by. When he learns that one of his few close friends, Madoka, is planning to move from Boston to San Jose, he remembers that driving across the country is something that he'd always wanted to do, and is an adventure that is within his grasp. He sets out to find America, and ends up finding himself.