East Bound: California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ontario (Canada), New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, District of Columbia.
West Bound: Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California
From Arkansas in May: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California (this doesn't count as part of this trip, but we did it in May, so we can say that within the last six months, we have traveled, with the trailer, through over half the US).
Just over 10, 000 miles. Three oil changes, one seriously cracked windshield, a little damage to the trailer ladder due to an encounter with a stubborn tree, and one very dirty white pickup truck. Not bad, considering.
We had a wonderful time, but if we were planning this trip knowing what we know now, we wouldn't have done so much driving. I may have mentioned earlier in the blog that we originally planned to take 3 months. But with the price of everything, and a couple of things we wanted to do in September here in California, we cut a month off our trip and accomplished the same itinerary.
We talked to a guy in the Tetons who said he always stays at least two weeks at each destination, and another who said he never drives more than 200 miles in one day. That sounds better, doesn't it? On the plus side, we were able to see some family and a lot of old friends, re-visit some favorite places, and see some things we have always wanted to see.
You may wonder how anyone can drive 300-400 miles day after day, especially because there isn't a lot of good radio in large sections of the country. And let's face it, even though we have been married for over 40 years, that's a lot of togetherness. The one and only way we could do it is through the magic of books on CD. We put a light mystery or novel in the player and listen to it talk. It's very entertaining and the miles go by. I pack a lunch and make a thermos of coffee, but we stop about every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to give all of us a break, walk Doogie, and change drivers. We love a road trip! The United States of America is truly a beautiful country. It's worth seeing.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Home at Last
We didn't think about home much during our 8 weeks away, and it wasn't until three or four days ago that we began to think that we really wanted to get here. But in the past 2 days, we really wanted to get here!
I-15 is a great and easy road until you get to Vegas. After than it's terrible. And today, as usual, it was close truck traffic all the way. Fortunately we left early enough to avoid the worst part of the day and rolled in around 3 PM.
It's good to be home.
I-15 is a great and easy road until you get to Vegas. After than it's terrible. And today, as usual, it was close truck traffic all the way. Fortunately we left early enough to avoid the worst part of the day and rolled in around 3 PM.
It's good to be home.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Las Vegas, Nevada
We drove from Provo where the temperature was 50 this morning to Las Vegas where the temperature was a chilly 102 at 5:00 PM when we arrived. The locals are thrilled that it has cooled off. We made camp in the KOA at Circus-Circus, which is really the parking lot, microwaved some frozen General Tsu Chicken and spent a couple of hours in the casino. Vegas is very dead tonight, probably due to being the first week in September.
It's been a great trip, but we're ready to go home. Home is 275 miles from here, so we will easily pull in the driveway by early afternoon. We've gained another hour, so should be up and at 'em early and get a good start. The earlier the better to avoid the heat.
It's been a great trip, but we're ready to go home. Home is 275 miles from here, so we will easily pull in the driveway by early afternoon. We've gained another hour, so should be up and at 'em early and get a good start. The earlier the better to avoid the heat.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Coulter Bay Campground to Salt Lake City
We had the most beautiful drive through the mountains to Salt Lake area today. We took US 89 all the way from Jackson, Wyoming to Brigham, Utah where we hopped on 15 and drove another hour to Provo, and are now camped for the night.
This morning we woke to a cold, damp rain with fog obscuring the mountains. My outdoor thermometer had gotten wet and the batteries aren't working, so I don't know what the outside temperature was, but our heater, set at 55, kicked on about 5:00 AM. By the time we were prepared to leave, I was cold to the bone. My feet were wet and they never warmed up until I got into a hot shower this evening! After some consideration, we opted to head more or less due south on 89 into Utah, rather than drive 60 miles northwest to Idaho Falls and pick up 15 there. A great decision, as the trip through the mountains along the Snake and Star Rivers was well worth the extra time it took.
There was heavy fog in the Tetons and we could see snow on the mountain tops that peeked through the clouds. The hills around Jackson were dusted with snow. As we wound through the Snake, then Star (where it was 39 degrees at noon, and NPR kept predicting 70), then Bear valleys, up and down the mountains, the snow accumulation increased, though the roads were fine. There was snow until out final descent into Brigham City and there is snow on the tips of the Wasatch Range.
Despite the snow, the trip was easy, pretty, and cozy. The mountains were beautiful and there was a terrific program on NPR about the history of folk music in the US in the 40's through the early 60's. We listened to the Weavers, Pete Seeger, and Arlo Guthrie songs and interesting commentary. Did you know that the Weaver's recording of O-we-ma-way (I'm sure that's not the spelling, but you know the song??? The Lion sleeps tonight???) was an African folk song about a people who had been defeated but would ultimately prevail? The Weavers used it as a metaphor for the HUAC hearings and how hey destroyed the Weavers. There was a recording of Pete Seeger's testimony. There was also an old clip of Arlo Guthrie explaining that Pete believed that people who can sing together listen to each other. If they can sing together they can learn to do other things together. How simple if it were true. Anyway, the program is available for download at www.NPR.org or www.PeteSeeger.org.
By the time we got settled in our campsite, it was after six. We grilled some pork chops (A-1 sauce makes a terrific barbecued pork chop), microwaved some TJ pilaf, tossed a simple salad and had dinner. Then a hot shower and it's suddenly 10:00 PM! Off to Vegas tomorrow. I'm sure there isn't any snow there!
And by the way...I called Doug. They didn't climb this weekend due to the weather. They've postponed a week.
This morning we woke to a cold, damp rain with fog obscuring the mountains. My outdoor thermometer had gotten wet and the batteries aren't working, so I don't know what the outside temperature was, but our heater, set at 55, kicked on about 5:00 AM. By the time we were prepared to leave, I was cold to the bone. My feet were wet and they never warmed up until I got into a hot shower this evening! After some consideration, we opted to head more or less due south on 89 into Utah, rather than drive 60 miles northwest to Idaho Falls and pick up 15 there. A great decision, as the trip through the mountains along the Snake and Star Rivers was well worth the extra time it took.
There was heavy fog in the Tetons and we could see snow on the mountain tops that peeked through the clouds. The hills around Jackson were dusted with snow. As we wound through the Snake, then Star (where it was 39 degrees at noon, and NPR kept predicting 70), then Bear valleys, up and down the mountains, the snow accumulation increased, though the roads were fine. There was snow until out final descent into Brigham City and there is snow on the tips of the Wasatch Range.
Despite the snow, the trip was easy, pretty, and cozy. The mountains were beautiful and there was a terrific program on NPR about the history of folk music in the US in the 40's through the early 60's. We listened to the Weavers, Pete Seeger, and Arlo Guthrie songs and interesting commentary. Did you know that the Weaver's recording of O-we-ma-way (I'm sure that's not the spelling, but you know the song??? The Lion sleeps tonight???) was an African folk song about a people who had been defeated but would ultimately prevail? The Weavers used it as a metaphor for the HUAC hearings and how hey destroyed the Weavers. There was a recording of Pete Seeger's testimony. There was also an old clip of Arlo Guthrie explaining that Pete believed that people who can sing together listen to each other. If they can sing together they can learn to do other things together. How simple if it were true. Anyway, the program is available for download at www.NPR.org or www.PeteSeeger.org.
By the time we got settled in our campsite, it was after six. We grilled some pork chops (A-1 sauce makes a terrific barbecued pork chop), microwaved some TJ pilaf, tossed a simple salad and had dinner. Then a hot shower and it's suddenly 10:00 PM! Off to Vegas tomorrow. I'm sure there isn't any snow there!
And by the way...I called Doug. They didn't climb this weekend due to the weather. They've postponed a week.
Grand Tetons in the Rain
Grand Tetons in the Rain. From Sunday night, August 31, 2008
It’s raining, foggy, and cold here this evening. When we left for Jackson, we could see a storm coming over the mountains, and I thoughts for a minute that we should go back and put the deck chairs away. Laziness prevailed, however, and we didn’t turn back. Too bad. The storm hit, at first very heavy rain and hail, then settled in to a mild but steady, cold downpour.
While we were at Jackson Lodge having dinner, blogging, and checking email, the power flickered a couple of times and I wondered if the campground would be affected if the power went out 10 miles south. Well...yes...it was. We returned to the campground to find no power and an inside-the-trailer temperature of 45 degrees. For all you campers out there, the beauty part of having a travel trailer is also having a generator. Within 15 minutes Steve had it cranked up and the heat was on! We turned the fridge on to gas, shut down the water heater, and turned all lights off except one, and are sitting here computing and reading in complete comfort. When it ran out of gas, Steve braved the rain and filled it again. By the time we were sick of marveling about the generator the power was back on.
Ann and Carol, how many freezing nights at Bantam did we have in the rain, playing hearts in a leaky dining canopy?
And I sure hope my friend Doug and his party are OK up there on the mountain.
It’s raining, foggy, and cold here this evening. When we left for Jackson, we could see a storm coming over the mountains, and I thoughts for a minute that we should go back and put the deck chairs away. Laziness prevailed, however, and we didn’t turn back. Too bad. The storm hit, at first very heavy rain and hail, then settled in to a mild but steady, cold downpour.
While we were at Jackson Lodge having dinner, blogging, and checking email, the power flickered a couple of times and I wondered if the campground would be affected if the power went out 10 miles south. Well...yes...it was. We returned to the campground to find no power and an inside-the-trailer temperature of 45 degrees. For all you campers out there, the beauty part of having a travel trailer is also having a generator. Within 15 minutes Steve had it cranked up and the heat was on! We turned the fridge on to gas, shut down the water heater, and turned all lights off except one, and are sitting here computing and reading in complete comfort. When it ran out of gas, Steve braved the rain and filled it again. By the time we were sick of marveling about the generator the power was back on.
Ann and Carol, how many freezing nights at Bantam did we have in the rain, playing hearts in a leaky dining canopy?
And I sure hope my friend Doug and his party are OK up there on the mountain.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Grand Teton National Park
We arrived in Grand Teton about noon on Friday, after a hairy 20 mph trip over Blackrock Pass (elevation 9,600 feet) which is under construction for 20 miles and down to one lane.
Weather has been perfect, but now a storm threatens. This place may not be the most beautiful in the world, but it’s in the top 5.
Saturday we had lunch with our old friends Pat and Doug Vlchek. Doug and I worked together on a lot of volunteer projects over the years. He and Pat have now retired to Kelly, Wyoming, on the eastern edge of this park. It was great to see them. Doug and his two sons are climbing Mountain today and tomorrow. Unfortunately, as I write this, we are sitting in Jackson Lodge looking at where Teton Mountain should be and all we see is rain and fog. I hope those guys are ok.
Grand Teton is just south of Yellowstone. We came through here three years ago and loved it. The views are just spectacular. The Teton range seems to rise out of the lakes. There are patches of glacier, clear blue skies, and incredible cloud formations. Right off the bat we saw a grizzly bear...quite exciting! We've also seen a lot of deer and Steve thought he saw elk in the elk reserve this afternoon.
Today we went to Jackson, the upscale resort community just south of here. We remembered it as being a place of beautiful galleries and looked forward to wandering through them again. A heavy downpour, complete with pouring hail put a bit of a crimp in that plan, but we did poke into a few shops and looked at some of the western art. Doogie had a blast because everyone stopped to pet him. One thing I didn't remember from our previous trip...Jackson is full of national retailers like Patagonia (ok, that's appropriate in Jackson, I guess), Coldwater Creek, and Chicos??? Why would you go shopping in Jackson, WY to buy Coldwater Creek? I don't get that at all.
We have no phone connection and only limited internet. I am receiving emails while we are in this lounge, but I can't send any. Had a phone internet connection on Friday night, but haven't been able to access it since.
Tomorrow we leave for home. Plan Salt Lake tomorrow, then St. George or Vegas depending on how tired we get, and home by Thursday.
Weather has been perfect, but now a storm threatens. This place may not be the most beautiful in the world, but it’s in the top 5.
Saturday we had lunch with our old friends Pat and Doug Vlchek. Doug and I worked together on a lot of volunteer projects over the years. He and Pat have now retired to Kelly, Wyoming, on the eastern edge of this park. It was great to see them. Doug and his two sons are climbing Mountain today and tomorrow. Unfortunately, as I write this, we are sitting in Jackson Lodge looking at where Teton Mountain should be and all we see is rain and fog. I hope those guys are ok.
Grand Teton is just south of Yellowstone. We came through here three years ago and loved it. The views are just spectacular. The Teton range seems to rise out of the lakes. There are patches of glacier, clear blue skies, and incredible cloud formations. Right off the bat we saw a grizzly bear...quite exciting! We've also seen a lot of deer and Steve thought he saw elk in the elk reserve this afternoon.
Today we went to Jackson, the upscale resort community just south of here. We remembered it as being a place of beautiful galleries and looked forward to wandering through them again. A heavy downpour, complete with pouring hail put a bit of a crimp in that plan, but we did poke into a few shops and looked at some of the western art. Doogie had a blast because everyone stopped to pet him. One thing I didn't remember from our previous trip...Jackson is full of national retailers like Patagonia (ok, that's appropriate in Jackson, I guess), Coldwater Creek, and Chicos??? Why would you go shopping in Jackson, WY to buy Coldwater Creek? I don't get that at all.
We have no phone connection and only limited internet. I am receiving emails while we are in this lounge, but I can't send any. Had a phone internet connection on Friday night, but haven't been able to access it since.
Tomorrow we leave for home. Plan Salt Lake tomorrow, then St. George or Vegas depending on how tired we get, and home by Thursday.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Nu-Kew-luur
What is it with politicians and the word nuclear? Why do they think that speaking like a bumbling idiot endears them to the common person? Don’t most people think, “Oh my God! They are even dumber and less articulate than I am, and they're in charge (or might be someday). We’re totally and completely screwed.”
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