day 1
126 miles
126 total
Eagle Lake
usual drive to Susanville, decide to take the scenic (but tiring) route around the west side of Eagle Lake.
usual drive to Susanville, decide to take the scenic (but tiring) route around the west side of Eagle Lake.
day 2
103 miles
229 total
All roads lead to Adin
Lunch adventure in Adin, take the Lookout route
Lunch adventure in Adin, take the Lookout route
day 3
166 miles
395 total
Klamath Falls
pretty scenery, then Klamath, then boring 97
pretty scenery, then Klamath, then boring 97
day 4
175 miles
570 total
Fred Meyer and I-5
Breakfast in Oakridge, aka Appalachia West, I-5 to Tualatin, vist two different Fred Meyers (three in two days)
Breakfast in Oakridge, aka Appalachia West, I-5 to Tualatin, vist two different Fred Meyers (three in two days)
day 5
0 miles
570 total
spend money, make decisions
Wake up at the van place. Mill around there for three hours. Breakfast. Spend $565 on a new stereo … didn’t see that coming.
Wake up at the van place. Mill around there for three hours. Breakfast. Spend $565 on a new stereo … didn’t see that coming.
day 6
41 miles
611 total
nothing but relaxing
A day of perfect leisure. Only work I did was browbeat the desk into moving me to a lower bunk. That was hard.
A day of perfect leisure. Only work I did was browbeat the desk into moving me to a lower bunk. That was hard.
day 7
71 miles
682 total
the Gorge
Lounge in style till 2pm, enjoy the spectacular Columbia Gorge but not the holiday traffic, get a nice spot at a State Campground on the river
Lounge in style till 2pm, enjoy the spectacular Columbia Gorge but not the holiday traffic, get a nice spot at a State Campground on the river
day 8
140 miles
822 total
Oregon Palouse
tour the wide open spaces, breakfast and tire rotation at The Dalles, Maryhill Museum, narrowly avoid a deer, chill at the reservoir
tour the wide open spaces, breakfast and tire rotation at The Dalles, Maryhill Museum, narrowly avoid a deer, chill at the reservoir
day 9
156 miles
978 total
hills and trees and streams
No phone bars all day, miss a turn, sigh… Very pretty drive along the cow poop-infested South Fork John Day River.
No phone bars all day, miss a turn, sigh… Very pretty drive along the cow poop-infested South Fork John Day River.
10
155 miles
1,133 total
farmer country
get to Eltons, get phone bars and discover Kevin Durant is a Warrior!
get to Eltons, get phone bars and discover Kevin Durant is a Warrior!
11
12 miles
1,145 total
getting to know Boise
coffee at Slow by Slow, pizza with Elton
coffee at Slow by Slow, pizza with Elton
12
0 miles
1,145 total
enjoy condo life
afternoon of trip planning, Basque restaurant, walk the city, brewery
afternoon of trip planning, Basque restaurant, walk the city, brewery
13
10 miles
1,155 total
morning, evening and wifi
District Coffee, Thai restaurant
District Coffee, Thai restaurant
14
141 miles
1,296 total
achieve escape velocity
head east on I-84, then pretty drive on US 20, end up in a real nice place
head east on I-84, then pretty drive on US 20, end up in a real nice place
15
158 miles
1,454 total
South Fork of the Snake
lovin' the South Fork life. Nail a great spot at the BLM campground on the Snake, then off to the hot springs.
lovin' the South Fork life. Nail a great spot at the BLM campground on the Snake, then off to the hot springs.
16
111 miles
1,565 total
Jackson WY
really pretty driving, but an oddly tiring day
really pretty driving, but an oddly tiring day
17
208 miles
1,773 total
Tetons drive-by
super busy traffic in the morning at the national park, super quiet in Wyoming once I escaped.
super busy traffic in the morning at the national park, super quiet in Wyoming once I escaped.
18
88 miles
1,861 total
western Wyoming
Beautiful country, Wind River Canyon to Thermopolis, enjoy hot springs all afternoon, camp in the Bighorns.
Beautiful country, Wind River Canyon to Thermopolis, enjoy hot springs all afternoon, camp in the Bighorns.
19
179 miles
2,040 total
eastern Wyoming
The Bighorns are beautiful, Buffalo WY is pretty boring, decide not to try Devil’s Tower
The Bighorns are beautiful, Buffalo WY is pretty boring, decide not to try Devil’s Tower
20
133 miles
2,173 total
top half Black Hills
A little more Wyoming, excellent Spearfish SD, then traffic in the Black Hills
A little more Wyoming, excellent Spearfish SD, then traffic in the Black Hills
21
124 miles
2,297 total
Rapid City
Drive-by on Mt Rushmore, Rapid City didn’t work for me today, heavy rain, Badlands is full, so end up un the funky campground outside.
Drive-by on Mt Rushmore, Rapid City didn’t work for me today, heavy rain, Badlands is full, so end up un the funky campground outside.
22
302 miles
2,599 total
fucking driving
Badlands, then too much driving with too few food options - met a Senator!
Badlands, then too much driving with too few food options - met a Senator!
23
207 miles
2,806 total
easy day
more I-90 and crumbling infrastructure
more I-90 and crumbling infrastructure
24
156 miles
2,962 total
easier day
fun in Austin MN and the Spam Museum
fun in Austin MN and the Spam Museum
25
209 miles
3,171 total
I-84 traffic hell
Nice coffee in Prairie du Chen, ugly driving to get to Fox Point
Nice coffee in Prairie du Chen, ugly driving to get to Fox Point
26
23 miles
3,194 total
Milwaukee Museum
lunch and private tour of the Milwaukee Art Museum, mexican restaurant in the Third Ward
lunch and private tour of the Milwaukee Art Museum, mexican restaurant in the Third Ward
27
317 miles
3,511 total
I-65 Traffic hell
A truly awful traffic day getting from Milwaukee past Chicago through a hailstorm and a seven-car pileup to Doug’s. Nice dinner with the relatives.
A truly awful traffic day getting from Milwaukee past Chicago through a hailstorm and a seven-car pileup to Doug’s. Nice dinner with the relatives.
28
141 miles
3,652 total
I-74 Traffic hell
Can’t escape the traffic on Indiana’s crappy freeways. Cross the Ohio at Madison IN.
Can’t escape the traffic on Indiana’s crappy freeways. Cross the Ohio at Madison IN.
29
35 miles
3,687 total
Nostalgia Day
the old neighborhood, my 50th high school reunion
the old neighborhood, my 50th high school reunion
30
40 miles
3,727 total
Oven Day
Leave the man cave, visit Wilma, eat fish, drive, stay at Dickie’s
Leave the man cave, visit Wilma, eat fish, drive, stay at Dickie’s
31
0 miles
3,727 total
Leaving Day
breakfast, visit Craig, bookstore, cross-city drive, Corydon IN
breakfast, visit Craig, bookstore, cross-city drive, Corydon IN
32
42 miles
3,769 total
Roots Day
Marengo - Toney Auto Parts -> Temple -> English -> Milltown -> thunderstorm
Marengo - Toney Auto Parts -> Temple -> English -> Milltown -> thunderstorm
33
155 miles
3,924 total
Leaving Day again
fun with Mildred, Overlook Inn, tiring drive, expensive state park
fun with Mildred, Overlook Inn, tiring drive, expensive state park
34
106 miles
4,030 total
New Harmony, Illinois
great coffee place, interesting town, some driving, impressive storm clouds, Kroger’s
great coffee place, interesting town, some driving, impressive storm clouds, Kroger’s
35
65 miles
4,095 total
Lost in the back ways of So Ill
Carbondale coffee and eats, storms, tour the Wildlife Refuge
Carbondale coffee and eats, storms, tour the Wildlife Refuge
36
117 miles
4,212 total
hike and a drive
Finally escape this maze of poorly marked roads, cross the mighty Mississippi, Burger King, find my campground.
Finally escape this maze of poorly marked roads, cross the mighty Mississippi, Burger King, find my campground.
37
97 miles
4,309 total
the Ozark Plateau roads have no shoulders
Sunday dinner, curvy roads lined with oak trees, very narrow with no room for error, hard driving.
Sunday dinner, curvy roads lined with oak trees, very narrow with no room for error, hard driving.
38
52 miles
4,361 total
short drive over more shoulder less roads.
Walked Big Spring in the daylight, drive 4 miles to bbq and wifi and salad bar. Coupla small towns then another similar campground.
Walked Big Spring in the daylight, drive 4 miles to bbq and wifi and salad bar. Coupla small towns then another similar campground.
39
79 miles
4,440 total
another easy drive
Maps sent me down some gravel today - not acceptable
Maps sent me down some gravel today - not acceptable
40
97 miles
4,537 total
dramatic clouds on the interstate
Spend the day doing fun things in Rolla, make it to tonight’s spring by 7pm. Swam a little.
Spend the day doing fun things in Rolla, make it to tonight’s spring by 7pm. Swam a little.
41
136 miles
4,673 total
Springfield
a bit of nostalgia in my Daddy’s home town. Most of my landmarks are obliterated.
a bit of nostalgia in my Daddy’s home town. Most of my landmarks are obliterated.
42
23 miles
4,696 total
Cassville
Drive to Cassville and back, otherwise, just … be … in the same place for two nights - woo!
Drive to Cassville and back, otherwise, just … be … in the same place for two nights - woo!
43
81 miles
4,777 total
Mo-Ark-Okla
Three state day in two hours!
Three state day in two hours!
44
122 miles
4,899 total
eastern Oklahoma
Illinois River is overrated, bad meal, very hot, found a great campground for tonight!
Illinois River is overrated, bad meal, very hot, found a great campground for tonight!
45
139 miles
5,038 total
OKC
Actually enjoyed my stay at the Cracker Barrel
Actually enjoyed my stay at the Cracker Barrel
46
97 miles
5,135 total
Leaving OKC
Forgot to take the scenic route, I’m losing it.
Forgot to take the scenic route, I’m losing it.
47
189 miles
5,324 total
Lawton and too hot
Too hot to get out of the van today
Too hot to get out of the van today
48
227 miles
5,551 total
rolling hills
Wichita Mountains, then lots of countryside and a big thunderstorm
Wichita Mountains, then lots of countryside and a big thunderstorm
49
235 miles
5,786 total
Capulin Volcano
Bye Oklahoma. Bye heat, and humidity. Hello High Desert!
Bye Oklahoma. Bye heat, and humidity. Hello High Desert!
50
83 miles
5,869 total
mountains and valleys
lunch in Cimarron the only excitement
lunch in Cimarron the only excitement
51
91 miles
5,960 total
Taos
lunch in Mora, then hang with the beautiful people
lunch in Mora, then hang with the beautiful people
52
60 miles
6,020 total
Taos
my day in Taos - coffee, lunch, library, then the Rio Grande Gorge
my day in Taos - coffee, lunch, library, then the Rio Grande Gorge
53
113 miles
6,133 total
Pagosa
Chama FAIL, pie at the Bakery in Pagosa, shop and boring campground
Chama FAIL, pie at the Bakery in Pagosa, shop and boring campground
54
92 miles
6,225 total
Durango
Lunch in Bayfield, short drive thru on Durango and Mancos
Lunch in Bayfield, short drive thru on Durango and Mancos
56
134 miles
6,432 total
cities and traffic
Lizard Pass, Telluride, busy 551, Delta, park
Lizard Pass, Telluride, busy 551, Delta, park
57
40 miles
6,472 total
Paonia
Paonia, nice orchard, stop early, get ready to be with people again
Paonia, nice orchard, stop early, get ready to be with people again
58
78 miles
6,550 total
Carbondale, Aspen
Carbondale, Peggy & Donna, pricey Japanese dinner
Carbondale, Peggy & Donna, pricey Japanese dinner
59
9 miles
6,559 total
Aspen hike
nice hike, fancy dinner at home
nice hike, fancy dinner at home
60
12 miles
6,571 total
Aspen music
Art Museum, taxi them to concert, another fancy dinner
Art Museum, taxi them to concert, another fancy dinner
61
34 miles
6,605 total
Independence Pass
short walk, lunch, Independence Pass, stop early
short walk, lunch, Independence Pass, stop early
62
132 miles
6,737 total
wide valleys
Twin Lakes, coffee in Buena Vista, wide valleys
Twin Lakes, coffee in Buena Vista, wide valleys
63
136 miles
6,873 total
busy roads, too much traffic
Criuse the rest of the lake, coffee and annoying traffic in Montrose. Delta, Grand Junction are boring places.
Criuse the rest of the lake, coffee and annoying traffic in Montrose. Delta, Grand Junction are boring places.
64
114 miles
6,987 total
exhausting drive
back through Grand Junction, coffee in Fruita, Co 139 north sucks
back through Grand Junction, coffee in Fruita, Co 139 north sucks
65
51 miles
7,038 total
Jensen Visitor’s Center
Last night’s van drama wore me out. At the Vis Cen I realize that there is camping at Dinosaur National Monument.
Last night’s van drama wore me out. At the Vis Cen I realize that there is camping at Dinosaur National Monument.
66
72 miles
7,110 total
Vernal
Who knew I going to spend three days in this shabby corner of Utah?
Who knew I going to spend three days in this shabby corner of Utah?
67
108 miles
7,218 total
hot and boring and shabby
north central Utah is very forgettable.
north central Utah is very forgettable.
68
127 miles
7,345 total
freeway north
The Mormon urban corridor, thought I was escaping, but plan has changed.
The Mormon urban corridor, thought I was escaping, but plan has changed.
69
133 miles
7,478 total
Sprinter repair
Back and forth in the Mormon urban corridor to van repair at SLC Freightliner and back to peace and quiet.
Back and forth in the Mormon urban corridor to van repair at SLC Freightliner and back to peace and quiet.
70
57 miles
7,535 total
hot spring and Logan
lunch, Crystal Hot Springs, Logan, campground
lunch, Crystal Hot Springs, Logan, campground
71
59 miles
7,594 total
Bear Lake
crepes in Garden City, score a decent campsite on the big weekend!
crepes in Garden City, score a decent campsite on the big weekend!
72
93 miles
7,687 total
Lava Hot Springs
Montpelier, overpriced campground, but great soak into the evening
Montpelier, overpriced campground, but great soak into the evening
73
66 miles
7,753 total
Pocatello
more soaking, pretty drive, bagel and lox, the Snake again
more soaking, pretty drive, bagel and lox, the Snake again
74
124 miles
7,877 total
Twin Falls
Interstate and Idaho farm country - Napoleon Dynamite country!
Interstate and Idaho farm country - Napoleon Dynamite country!
75
110 miles
7,987 total
Hagerman
Thousand Springs, lunch with the funny waitress, dinner in Boise
Thousand Springs, lunch with the funny waitress, dinner in Boise
76
10 miles
7,997 total
Boise
District Coffee, Les Schwab, Trailhead, dinner and beer
District Coffee, Les Schwab, Trailhead, dinner and beer
77
224 miles
8,221 total
Burns
Breakfast, Trailhead, too long drive across nothingness
Breakfast, Trailhead, too long drive across nothingness
78
164 miles
8,385 total
Bend
Lunch, then a bridge is out! 50 mile-ish detour :<
Lunch, then a bridge is out! 50 mile-ish detour :<
79
161 miles
8,546 total
cross I-5
long day, curvy roads, make it to the ocean
long day, curvy roads, make it to the ocean
80
77 miles
8,623 total
Florence
usual stop in Yachats, Safeway and dinner in Florence
usual stop in Yachats, Safeway and dinner in Florence
81
132 miles
8,755 total
Coos Bay, Brookings
usual stop at Smiling Dog, drive by lots of pretty places, stay at the casino
usual stop at Smiling Dog, drive by lots of pretty places, stay at the casino
85
0 miles
9,096 total
illin’ in Chico
great time with the family except I caught a bug from the kid. Emergency Room for me :<
great time with the family except I caught a bug from the kid. Emergency Room for me :<
86
162 miles
9,258 total
hot Central Valley
make it through the Sacramento megaplex to New Hogan Lake
make it through the Sacramento megaplex to New Hogan Lake
87
161 miles
9,419 total
Yosemite
still VERY hot, but pretty drive through the foothills through Yosemite
still VERY hot, but pretty drive through the foothills through Yosemite
88
45 miles
9,464 total
Mammoth
spend most of the day in town at Mammoth. I have no energy.
spend most of the day in town at Mammoth. I have no energy.
89
39 miles
9,503 total
Mammoth again
same coffee place, same food place, then first half of the June Lake Loop to Silver Lake.
same coffee place, same food place, then first half of the June Lake Loop to Silver Lake.
90
166 miles
9,669 total
Lee Vining to home
coffee in Lee Vining, sunset breakfast at Topaz Lake, drive home in the dark.
coffee in Lee Vining, sunset breakfast at Topaz Lake, drive home in the dark.