Naples Nature

After ten days in Wellington, I finally headed out and crossed the state of Florida to Naples.  I planned just to stay the night, but didn’t get to see much of my cousin, so I stayed an extra day, especially since the Boeing documentary, Downfall, which he is in was debuting on Netflix the following day.  They were having a watching party, so I stayed for the red-carpet rollout!

On serious note, I’m going to think twice about flying that 737-Max after watching the documentary and more importantly after what Dan told me which isn’t even portrayed in the documentary.  From what I understand, while likely safe, it is the least safe airplane in the sky!  And as a pilot and former president of the AA pilot’s union, Dan won’t fly it.

Anyway, since Annie and their little dog did not become best friends over night, I spent the day wearing Annie out so she would be a better house guest for the party.

EXPLORE!

Day 237 – Travel Day

Day 237 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Well, I intended on doing some sight seeing today before heading west to Valentine, Nebraska, but I ended up slightly challenged in Sioux City.  First, I expected a city of 80,000 to have a Firestone, and I needed an oil change in the next 500 miles to keep my warranty.  No

Firestones here, so I had to adjust my route.  I still planned on making it to Nebraska, but my final destination for the evening changed to Grand Island with a pit stop in Omaha.  Of course, this required me to travel south along the flooded Missouri River which resulted in the main Interstate (I-29) to be closed in several areas and sandbagged in others…DETOUR.  I wasn’t really aware of the devastation.  The flooding here is very bad.  While I was able to stop at one overlook in Stone State Park, the other places I tried to visit in Sioux City were under water. Continue reading “Day 237 – Travel Day” →

Day 235 – Missouri and Kansas

DAY 235 OF YEAR LONG ROAD TRIP FOLLOWING SCENIC BYWAYS IN THE USA

Jefferson City, Missouri

It was impossible to miss the capitol building in Jefferson City.  It dominates the skyline of Missouri’s quaint capital.  I spent a little time poking around, both inside and outside, and came up with another type of restroom available to me – government buildings.  Parks, Wal-Mart, restaurants, rest areas, and gas stations generally serve the purpose, but churches and government buildings have recently been added to the list! Continue reading “Day 235 – Missouri and Kansas” →

Day 203 – Flaming Gorge Getaway

Day 203 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Dinosaur National Monument

I finally tore myself away from Steamboat on Wednesday and traveled to Dinosaur National Monument where I found a campsite near the Green River and tried staying cool in the shade for the afternoon and evening.

Today was simply crazy! I don’t even know where to begin. For what felt like a blistering hot morning (though I suspect it wasn’t even 80 degrees) and an afternoon full of thunder showers, I have to say, my day was nothing short of excellent.

I began the morning in Dinosaur National Monument, a park that spans across the Utah/Colorado border.  I took a variety of short hikes beginning with a short uphill climb to Cub Creek Petroglyphs where I found some of the largest rock carvings I have seen on my adventures.  The carvings included triangles, swirls, and faces in addition to large lizard like animals and a figure that looked like a flute player.  The well defined petroglyphs seemed to have weathered the harsh, desert conditions. Continue reading “Day 203 – Flaming Gorge Getaway” →

Day 184 – Monument Valley Meander (Part 3) and San Juan Skyways

Day 184 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Hovenweep National Monument

The full moon glowed through the dust filled sky and the wind continued in force for a few more hours.  Midway through the night, the gusts subsided and we awoke to a glorious day.  As we left Hovenweep National Monument, we passed by prairie dogs, sheep, goats, and a herd dog as we headed south toward the Four Corners Monument, where we will say farewell to Utah and hello Colorado. Continue reading “Day 184 – Monument Valley Meander (Part 3) and San Juan Skyways” →

Day 183 – Utah Byways – Part 6

Day 183 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

All through the night at Lake Powell, VANilla jiggled like a bounce house full of ten year olds.  Sand sprayed VANilla so hard, at times, the sound of it made me wonder if it were raining.  We found no relief from the wind this morning as we headed southeast to Natural Bridges National Monument.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 182 – Utah Byway – Part 5

Day 182 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Capitol Reef National Park

We started our morning drive to Capitol Reef National Park, a park we quickly passed through at the beginning of the week while traveling to Bryce.  I recalled seeing a trail to Chimney Rock, so I stopped there on the way into the park and started the trek that ascended 240 feet in the first quarter mile.  It was already relatively late in the morning and a somewhat warm day, so after reaching the plateau for a panoramic view, I returned to VANilla to rescue Petey instead of continuing on the 3.5 mile journey.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 181 – Zion Canyon Loop and Utah Byways (Part 4)

Day 181 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

After taking advantage of free wi-fi at the local Starbucks, we began the last portion of our loop drive around Zion National Park.  Highway 14 winds its way between high canyon walls streaked in delicate cascades, beneath sandstone cliffs, along stream filled meadows, past icy blue lakes, and over a 9,000 foot pass blanketed in snow covered lava.

We made a variety of stops along the way to simply take in the views.  A trucker, hauling a huge fork-lift, that had ignored the warning sign for semis to use a different route, helped influence some of my stops as I repeatedly caught up to him and the line of cars trailing him at half the posted speed limit. Continue reading “Day 181 – Zion Canyon Loop and Utah Byways (Part 4)” →

Day 180 – Zion Canyon Loop – Part 3

Day 180 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Camping Near Zion National Park

As I mentioned yesterday, I joined civilization, applied makeup for the first time in six weeks, and found a local sports bar to watch the Mavs game.  Here I met Brian from Idaho.  He has been on a six week road trip and has spent much of his time near Zion enjoying warm weather as it is mud season in his home town.  What I was quite impressed with was his ability to find some land about twelve miles outside of town with a sign posted, “Use By Donation”.   Continue reading “Day 180 – Zion Canyon Loop – Part 3” →

Day 179 – Zion Canyon Loop – Part 2

Day 179 of Year Long Roadtrip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Zion National Park

As I mentioned yesterday, I arrived relatively early to the Visitor Center in Zion National Park, parked VANilla under a shady tree, and boarded the shuttle for a 30 minute ride to the Grotto.  From the Grotto, I took the mile long, rocky Kayenta Trail along the cliff’s edge overlooking the Virgin River lined in cottonwoods.  As I rounded the bend, in the distance a tall cascade of water tumbled from the cliff side in the morning sunlight.  The waterfall reflected every color of the rainbow…what a pleasant surprise.  It was hard to contain my eagerness to reach the Upper and Lower Emerald Pool Trail. Continue reading “Day 179 – Zion Canyon Loop – Part 2” →