red pass

Day 185 – San Juan Skyway (Part 2)

Day 185 of Year Long Road Trip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Animas Pass

We changed the pace a bit today and spent most of our time stopping at overlooks or wandering around old mining towns once I figured out Petey could hardly walk this morning.  I planned a short hike, 0.6 mile, at Animas Overlook about five miles up the dirt road from our campground.  The paved path led us along a nature trail to a view of snow capped mountains and the Animas River below.  I had to coax Petey along and when I left the path in search of cache, he stood staring at me like I was crazy.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 176 – Bryce Canyon Country Grand Staircase Escalante

Day 176 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
Torrey and Boulder

So Torrey has about three restaurants, three motels, a few RV parks, two gas stations and TWO coffee shops.  I’m amazed a small town and through traffic could support two coffee shops.  I guess that’s why a shot of coffee is three bucks! We took advantage of the free wi-fi at the RV Park across from the Days Inn this morning, so we got a bit of a late start.  VANilla wound past groves of leafless aspen, startled a few mule deer, and chugged over a 9,600 foot summit patched in snow before we finally reached Boulder, Utah where we briefly stopped to gather some information about the Grand Staircase Escalante area.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
double arch

Day 175 – Utah Byways – Part 4

Day 175 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

The average precipitation in Moab for May is 0.8 inches of rain…I think I witnessed most of it the last two days.  Saturday, however, was simply glorious…sunny with a cool breeze.  The weather and weekend invited plenty of visitors to Arches National Park.  It required some patience, quick reflexes, and geometry to snap photos of the arches without people in them.  I understand wanting to stand beneath the arches to look up in awe, but enjoy them and move on so others can do the same.  It seemed like one couple sat down for a picnic in the middle of an arch which left others waiting tirelessly for a photo without them in it!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 174 – Utah Byways (Arches NP) – Part 3

Day 174 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Arches National Park

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!
grand canyon's south rim

Day 170 – Grand Canyon Loop – Part 2

Day 170 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Planning a Scenic Drive at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

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!
rocks on white dome trail

Day 168 – Nevada 93 – Part 2

Day 168 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

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!
cathedral gorge state park

Day 167 – Nevada 93

Day 167 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

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!
ward ovens

Day 166 – Loneliest Road in America – Part 3

Day 166 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

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!
fort churchill

Day 164 – Loneliest Road in America

Day 164 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways


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.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!