15 national parks, 12 national forests, and dozens of landmarks and other public lands in between. A 2 month cross-country tour via car focused around California and the Southwestern US.
Finally, the cross country drive is coming to an end. Based on when this is published and when the events actually occurred, you can probably tell I have been a little busy (and slow to write the final chapter). As much as I like to travel, I think I need a little break after this …
Continue reading "I guess it’s time to go home – returning coast to coast: what did it all mean?"
After a brief return to the East coast, I flew back to Las Vegas where I had ditched my car. I was on the east coast for a few days basically to tell my parents (with my girlfriend...well, fiance at this point in the story) that we were engaged. After just 3 days back on …
Continue reading "Oh yeah I need my car – the return West and the desert"
After a month and a half of free-spirited travel across the US, through California and the Southwest, I found myself at a crossroads. I could start driving home and hit a few places on "my list" on the road east, or I could take a week to try and squeeze a few more places into …
Continue reading "Is it really time to go? – One last drive through the Southwest"
Heads up on this post: it's a long one. Hopefully you can make it through, and if you could help me out with whether you thought it was too long or whatever, I appreciate all feedback. August 2 After putting the finishing touches on my car organization, I picked up Lily at the airport at …
Continue reading "One week to see the Southwest – Nevada + Four corners"
After almost 3 weeks along the California coast, it was finally time to drive to Vegas. It was a Tuesday and I had to be there Friday morning. No problem! What is on the way to Vegas? Well, Yosemite National Park is on the way (if you take a slightly longer route). Even though I …
Continue reading "The return inland – San Francisco to Vegas"
Last week, on Explores Inc. This is part 2 (or the return trip) from the Northern California coast drive. If you want to see how I got here, check out part 1 of the Northern California Coastal Drive, which covers the northbound trip from San Francisco. I don't have any pictures for the first few …
Continue reading "Can’t we stay a little longer? – Northern California coast – part 2"
Disclaimer What you are about to read is part 1 of a two-part series. Actually there is so much to write about, I didn't want you to feel like you were reading a book, so I divided my exploration of "NorCal" into a northbound journey, and the return southbound journey. If you really enjoy this …
Continue reading "Let’s keep going – Northern California coast – part 1"
I met a guy (an avid outdoorsman) a few months ago who told me the best place he had ever hiked was the Lost Coast in California. I had not heard of it before, but it's one of the most rugged sections of the west coast located between Eureka and Fort Bragg. The Coastal Highway …
Continue reading "What do you mean I need a permit? Another lesson in preparation"
After driving out of Sequoia National Park and through the Central Valley, I stopped in Paso Robles to get an early dinner at Jack in the Box and inquire about campground availability near the coast. The answer: there wasn't any. I called the San Simeon Creek Campground which would be the first one I passed …
Continue reading "That’s the California I know – Big Sur and the central coast"
It seems likes everything is bigger in the Sierra Nevadas. The highest mountain in the lower 48 states is in the Sierras. I think the biggest waterfall in the US is in the Sierras. And the biggest trees (by volume) are in the Sierras. While we were wrapping up our hike in the Hoover Wilderness, …
Continue reading "Big trees, mountains, and waterfalls – Central Sierra Nevada"
Gear list This post covers 5 days of backpacking in the Hoover Wilderness, part of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. I divided up the days onto separate pages. This will also allow you to stop reading earlier if you tire of my tale since the pages will be shorter. I still hope you make it through the …
Continue reading "True Nature – 5 days in Hoover Wilderness"
After departing from Bodie, I stopped at the nearest active settlement: Bridgeport, CA. Bridgeport is a cool little town. There is not much going on, but Lenny (who I was meeting to backpack with in the Hoover Wilderness a few days later) recommended that I stop for a burger at The Barn. I was so …
Continue reading "The gifts of nature – Buckeye Hot Springs, CA"
