Total Distance: 9 miles (plus wandering) Dolly Sods Trail Map Route Map Elevation Gain: ~1,500 feet It was time for a long overdue hike into the woods. 2020 has been a strange year to say the least. It seemed like something came up every time I tried to make plans for a long-term trip. And …
Continue reading "Another weekend backpacking in Dolly Sods – Blackbird Knob and Red Creek Gorge"
And it was dry! I open with that statement because Dolly Sods is notorious for wet and soggy conditions. It is a minor accomplishment to be there when it is not raining. There wasn't much rain in the weeks leading up to our weekend, so that allowed for many of the "slushy" trails to dry …
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 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"
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"
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"
I started my day early in an attempt to beat the crowds at Arches National Park. It was still the weekend so I assumed it would be crowded. I drove about 1 1/2 hours from the BLM Westwater campsite to make it to the Arches entry gate around 8:00. I planned on spending only a …
Continue reading "Arches National Park, Moab, and crossing Utah in a day"
It's been a while since my last post, and for good reason: I have been in the wilderness for most of the previous week. Saturday night I spent in Shenandoah National Park for a friend's birthday, and the past two nights I have been camping out on my cross country car ride; all with no …
Continue reading "Dolly Sods – a day (and night) to remember"
