Cross-country adventure

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10-16-25, 11:33am
happystuff

Cross-country adventure

Just got back from a 3-week long cross-country driving trip. Did the first half with one of my kids and it was wonderful! Ended up camping at the Grand Canyon with other sibs and family members - more wonderful! Was able to stop at several locations for more family visits and a bit of site seeing. The shut down didn't close the National Parks from campers, but the visitor centers were closed and park rangers were not around. Those gift shops, etc that were run by volunteers and/or other outside vendors were open.

Anyway, it was the trip of a lifetime! Have lots to think about and process - especially the long drives home alone. Challenging, but doable.
10-16-25, 12:16pm
catherine

That's wonderful, happystuff! It does sound like the trip of a lifetime! And you got to spend time with family! So glad the parks were open enough for you and the family to enjoy them! As you process, give us your thoughts! How many miles did you have to do alone?
10-16-25, 3:38pm
happystuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by catherine

That's wonderful, happystuff! It does sound like the trip of a lifetime! And you got to spend time with family! So glad the parks were open enough for you and the family to enjoy them! As you process, give us your thoughts! How many miles did you have to do alone?

My anal-retentive self was keeping track... 4252.5 miles alone. I had plenty of time for contemplation, self-examination, etc. I learned a lot about how and why I used to travel with the family (kids were young). I learned a lot from the more experienced travelers in the family about things to do beforehand and during a trip. Kind of hard to explain. lol Anyway, overall, it was a great time and even the hard parts were good learning experiences. Plus, my puppy missed me and still loves me!!! LOL
10-16-25, 3:42pm
iris lilies

Wowo that is a great trip! What a wonderful way to celebrate your retirement!
10-16-25, 4:25pm
catherine

OMG That is definitely cross country!! I'd love to get a "travelogue" from you--how many miles did you go per day? Where did you stay? Did you choose towns/cities in advance or did you just stop when you got tired? Did you listen to music or audio books? What was the most interesting or surprising vista, landscape, smell town you saw?

Tell us more!!
10-16-25, 4:54pm
littlebittybobby

okay----let me say this about that----when you kids have the urge to do something----just anything--- why, just get out and DRIVE! Drive and Drive and Drive and Drive and Drive the Wheels offa your Subbaroo or Toyoda! That way, you can TRADE it in when you get home! That sounds like a grand time, to mee. BTW, when you stop-n-eat, be sure ta take pictures of the food, and post it here. If your pets run away in your absence, you can always connect with a reputable breeder in another state, and replace it. Yup. Hope that helps you some. Thankk mee.
10-17-25, 6:26am
rosarugosa

Happystuff: You are far more adventurous than I am, but it sounds like a wonderful adventure! Glad you had a great trip.
10-17-25, 12:40pm
happystuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by catherine

OMG That is definitely cross country!! I'd love to get a "travelogue" from you--how many miles did you go per day? Where did you stay? Did you choose towns/cities in advance or did you just stop when you got tired? Did you listen to music or audio books? What was the most interesting or surprising vista, landscape, smell town you saw?

Tell us more!!

The idea for the whole trip came when a sibling reserved tent sites at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon - so I headed off on a camping trip. LOL. As I said, one of my kids went with me for the drive to and afterwards I was on my own. Stayed with family multiple places along the entire trip. They were pretty much my "destinations" and where my driving was divided up between. On those occasions when I was in route to family, I stayed at a Motel 6 once (it was good for what it was, but nothing more than a bed and bathroom), KOA cabins 3 times (4th time there were so many stink bugs and bees in the cabin that I down-graded to a tent site and slept in the car (it worked! LOL). On one occasion I was visiting a cyber friend that I have been in contact with since '98, but we never met in real life! I had a two-night stay in a pretty decent hotel then - that was my biggest splurge. Then, of course, there was the 4-nights of camping at the GC.

My travel days varied depending on where I was heading, but most were between 8 1/2 hours (500+ miles) to 11 1/2 hours (650+ miles). Most actually averaged about 9 hours and 600 miles. (that is google map time/distance without stops included). I didn't listen to the radio very often, but just drove, looked at a bit of scenery when the driving allowed, and thinking.

Best landscapes/scenery/etc? ALL OF IT! Driving across the deserts and then going through and around mountains... it was all breath-taking. I tend to start my travel days in the dark and it was just amazing watching the sunrises.

Managed to hit three National Parks - Petrified Forrest/Painted Dessert, Grand Canyon and Sequoia. All were equally awe-inspiring. I definitely want to do more of the national park circuits.