Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Last Day - We're now home
Total Mileage: 4467
We got up early this morning, ate a pretty decent, free breakfast at the motel and hit the road. We made the 424 miles from Elko in an even 6 hours including all stops. You can really make the miles crusing along at 80 mph.
In the next few days, I'll be going through our photos and gps track so check back to see the evidence of where we've been.
Linda and I both enjoyed our little drive, but we're both glad to be home.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Fifteenth Day - Final Post
Total Mileage: 4043
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Fourteenth Day - Only Post
Rod, Linda, and I went down to Discovery Care and had a very good visit with Dad. He was in good spirits and even cracked a couple of jokes that had us laughing out loud.
When we left, Rod started on his homeward journey to Wyoming - he has to work tomorrow AM.
Linda and I then went over to Jay's house and were again treated to another home cooked meal - thanks Jay, who would have known.
Tomorrow we head for home.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thirteenth Day - Only Post
Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Printz..
The ceremony was beautiful, there was a good turnout from both families, plenty of tears were shed, and there was a lot of smiling, eating, dancing, and carrying on. A great day!
Location : 1017 Grizzly Mountain Rd, Missoula, Mt 59808,
Friday, September 24, 2010
Twelfth Day - Only Post
Dan and Rod are here and it is good to see them. It was also a treat to see Jessica and Tyler.
We're spending the next couple of nights with Ken and Sharon. When we arrived at Ken and Sharon's tonight, Nicole and Riley were here - a pleasant surprise.
Location : 20300-20838 Grizzly Mountain Rd, Missoula, Mt 59808,
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Eleventh Day - Last Post
Hanging out with Jay. Paul came over and we shared a meal and some conversation. No photos.
Location : Cameron, Mt 59720,
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tenth Day - Only Post
Total Mileage: 3164
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Ninth Day - Final Post
Total Mileage: 2847
Monday, September 20, 2010
Eighth Day - Only Post
Total Mileage: 2600
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Seventh Day - Only Post
Total Mileage: 2257
Not much to report today. We slept in, ate a leisurely breakfast and finally hit the road about 11:30 AM local time.
Traffic from Colorado Springs, around the west side of Denver and all the way until we took Hwy 40 north, was very heavy - way too many cars for this California boy.
We bagged another 10,000+ foot pass today - Berthoud at 11,307 feet.
The fall colors continued to add their glory to the views.
Once north of Berthoud pass, traffic thinned out nicely and driving was much more pleasant. We attempted to take Hwy 125 north, but the road was closed due to a fire. The flagman told us we could proceed to Rabbit Ears, then take Hwy 14 north. We followed his directions and everything worked out perfectly.
The high plains country of northern Colorado and southern Wyoming has its own special charm. Very few people, wide open spaces, lots of antelope ----- lots of dirt roads. It looks like a place I'd like to bring my BMW and do some exploring.
Tonight we're staying in Rawlins, WY in an entirely unremarkable Days Inn.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Sixth Day - Final Post
Total Mileage: 1896
High Country
We crossed three summits higher than 10,000 ft between Durango and Montrose
Location : 3598-16217 Woodgate Rd, Montrose, CO 81401,
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fifth Day - Only Post
Total Mileage: 1503
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Fourth Day - Only Post
Total Mileage: 1378
There was no posting with the 'Droid from out on the road today - no 3G service or wireless networks the entire way.
We spent so much time exploring the National Bridges National Monument and a couple of ancient villages in the Canyons of the Ancients that we didn't make it to Mesa Verde in time to visit there. We will take the entire day tomorrow to explore Mesa Verde.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Third Day, Last Post
Total Mileage: 961
Enjoying the Torrey area
Our motel is in such a scenic location that we could just sit and look out the window all day.
Location : Loa, UT,
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Second Day, Last Post
Total Mileage: 767
We spent a good part of the day driving the Extra Terrestrial Highway across Nevada. We were glad to be in our Toyota, getting 38 mpg.
Extra Terrestrial Highway
160 miles between gas stations out here. This little widespot is called Rachel.
Location : 201-399 N 1000 W, Cedar City, UT 84721,
Monday, September 13, 2010
First Day, Last Post
Total Mileage: 319
We stopped for the day at Tonapah, NV. Despite a late start, and a lot of stopping to explore the potential of our 'Droids, we actually covered quite a few miles.
Linda hasn't been feeling well since a couple of hours after breakfast - she thinks that something she ate is fighting back. She's always a soldier and she hasn't complained all day - she is, however, very quiet, and not smiling much. We're both hoping a good night's sleep will perk her up.
I was a little surpised to find out that our 'Droids can't navigate when out of the 3G service area. Although it seems to know our location and could geocode photos, it doesn't know where anything else is. I'm guessing it has a "real" GPS, but not GPS mapping, which it pulls down on the fly. I'll have to check it out when I get back home - I hate being so ignorant.
I was also surprised, this time in a pleasant way, about how much 3G coverage we had - we were in business across much of the void east of Benton. In Tonapah, however, we have only 'normal' cell phone service which pretty much renders the 'Droid a single function cell phone. Internet access is possible if you can stand the sloooooow downloading. Strangely, I can't seem to send email although I can read it.
A shot of Mono Lake is obligatory.
Highway 50 has nothing over Hwy 6 as far as being the lonliest road in America. From Benton, CA to Tonapah, NV is about 80 miles with no sign of civilization anywhere to be seen.
PS - I'm cheating by posting this with my laptop. It's much easier than with the 'Droid and I can do a few more things - like post more than one photo.
Caples Lake
Can't throw my GPS away yet. 'Droid can't navigate if no cell service.
Location : 453 Main St, Bridgeport, CA 93517,
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Getting Ready
The current plan is to leave El Dorado Hills on September 13, travel to Montana for Brandon's wedding via Mesa Verde, Pike's Peak, Yellowstone Park, et al, and return home. Three weeks or so seems much more reasonable than two months.