Adventure Travel Photography Blog
Petey and I got an early start today. We left our campground at 7 am to get to Devils Garden Trailhead in the northernmost part of Arches National Park by 8am. I’m not sure if it was my early arrival time or the light drizzle that helped me beat the crowds, but either way, VANilla was one of only four cars in the parking lot when I started my trek.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I’m not even sure how to start this blog about the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. When I originally plotted my course around the USA, I simply glanced at the number of stops and miles on each scenic drive in my Reader’s Digest book. For every four stops or 100 scenic miles on average, I allotted one day. After reviewing the plan the night before I depart, I mentally determine general stopping points. Factors that go into my decision making are interesting locations, shower and food needs, and cell service availability. With this in mind, I adjust my tour accordingly.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I awoke about 30 minutes before I heard the Reveille sounding at the nearby Air Force base signaling the 6 am wake up call. It briefly reminded me of summer camp – my only experience with a bugle call. After a morning of errands including a doctor’s visit, a stop at the Verizon store to address problems with my air card, and a stop at Camper World to address a propane tank challenge, we finally continued along Nevada 93 t0 Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, west of Las Vegas.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I don’t know, Nevada 93 from midway between Ely and Baker to Las Vegas could compete for the loneliest road in America. Attractions seemed to be spread at least 60 miles apart. I wasn’t feeling spectacular, so that could have subtracted from the amount of attractions I would have normally visited.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I started the morning at the local coffee shop. It seems like almost every town in America has a coffee shop these days. I grabbed a drip and muffin to go and sped along Highway 50, also the Lincoln Highway, for 75 miles until I reached Ely. Here I picked the Convention Center and Visitor Bureau to stamp my survival guide. With my five stamps, I can now claim that I have survived “The Loneliest Road in America”. I plan to mail the postage paid card to the State of Nevada to receive my certificate signed by the Governor!
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
Petey and I hung out at the Desert Rose RV Park for a while this morning to take advantage of electricity, the internet, and laundry. We finally hit the road around 10 am and made our first stop in Fallon to collect our next stamp for our Loneliest Road in America adventure. We didn’t stay long in the town, but instead followed Stillwater Road to Stillwater Wildlife Management Area and Refuge.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I got a slow start to the morning today as I began my adventure on the Loneliest Road in America. The charger on my computer died last night, so I needed to stick around a large city to go in search of another one when the stores opened. In the meantime, I stopped off at Bowers Mansion located at a state park between Reno and Carson City. According to the posted signs, the mansion offers a glimpse into Nevada life in the 1860’s. The mansion, built in 1864 by Comstock millionaires Sandy Bowers and Allison “Eilley” Oram, reflects the rags-to riches-to rags story commonly associated with Nevada’s silver boom.
Petey and I took an early morning walk in a light drizzle across Stoneman Bridge, past The Ahwahnee Hotel, and to the Royal Arch Cascade and Royal Arches. It was nice, but quick as we had a long day of travel ahead of us. Three of the roads to 395, including Tioga Road through the park, were closed for the winter. We had to exit via the Northwest entry point on 120, turn north up 49, then take 88 and 89 over two passes to finally hit 50 in South Lake Tahoe.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I awoke to a lawn mower…a signal for a second day of sun! I had planned to head inland today to Crater Lake, but passing up a sunny day on the coast of Oregon seemed ludicrous, especially since it will be my last day on any coast for five months. VANilla took us from Bandon to Cape Arago where we visited a couple of state parks.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!