The Swing of Things

October 15^th, Home In West Virginia

Joyce and I enjoyed a couple quiet days to recover from all the long driving and living out of a car.  There was quite the unpacking job and the poor MINI had so many dead bugs all over the front that only a serious detailing would make it presentable.  Aside from the aesthetics of the car, it was now flashing service needed due to the mileage we had reached. 

We were lounging in the den over coffee the next afternoon and we did a final figure on mileage covered from beginning to end – 8,067 miles of travel in 37 days!  For someone like me who has always been so full of wanderlust, that amount was a surprise even in my book.  Joyce had never undertaken that kind of road trip either.  When we looked at the actual mileage, it really struck us how far and wide we had traveled.  But, as we look at the map of our route in the middle of the country, it is obvious there is so much more of America to be seen.  Someday….

Last Days to Home

October 12th to 14th, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia!

After leaving Crestone and the mountains of Colorado, we had a few options to consider

on the route home.  One of our main inclinations was to avoid I-70 and all the construction.  I knew Joyce rarely saw her sister so I suggested going through southern Missouri on our way home and seeing her one more time.  Luckily for us, Sharon and Richard were going to be at their lakehouse on Stockton Lake so we landed there on Saturday evening the 12^th. 

Barn Sour and Running On Home

October 11^th, Parts Far and Wide

We woke to a beautiful, crisp morning with the clouds breaking up in the direction of home.  Like a horse headed to the barn after a long ride,

we pointed the car east with a ‘pulling on the reins’ feeling filling the car.  We were still in the mountains and range territory but within a hundred miles we would be setting eyes on prairie.  I felt a little melancholy leaving behind the grandeur of the Rockies.  For all the high peaks and cliffside roads, they give me a feeling of safety and shelter. I suspect that it’s the flowing water and evergreens in their stark difference to the dry washes and hot red rocks that make me feel that way.  I’ve learned that for my fascination with the arid Southwest it will be the mountains that call me back here.  Regardless of where we were though, it was the wonderful people we have met along our journey that pushes me toward another trip someday.

More Mountain Ranges and Eastward We Go

October 9^th to the 11th, Crestone, CO

Joyce and I were loathe to leave Telluride but we had a long day of driving through more mountains to a town called Crestone in Colorado.  We were told this was

a very artsy, counter-culture kind of place where we could expect to find quirky people.  I thought, ‘cool, my kind of place.’   I would have to reassess a bit as it turned out the town was a little more on the fringe than I had expected.

Our day of driving through Southwest Colorado was lovely. We saw more scenic vistas and views. We drove up and over Lizard Head Pass, hoping to see an elk or two. No luck on that score but we liked what we did see. I could definitely see a trip back to this part of Colorado for more exploration.

From Hot to Cold and Red to Blue

October 6^th  through 8th - Telluride, CO

Joyce and I got moving early on Sunday morning, even forgoing coffee and breakfast in our rush to head northward from Sedona. Our destination was Telluride by evening and it looked to be about 7 hours away.  We would be going to a completely different type of terrain from the red rocks.  We were already told that there had been snow

in Telluride but upon checking the weather there, we would have blue skies and mild temps.  And when I say blue skies, it’s a blue there you never see in the East.  I suspect it’s due to the contrast of the white at the top of the mountains against the sky but it’s startling in its depth of color.  And being big sky country, it seems like you could reach out and touch it.

Red Rocks and Blue Sky

October 5^th,  Sedona, AZ

In Sedona, you could feel the warmth in the sun but once you were in the shade it was immediately cool.  I was thankful for this during our hike in Fay Canyon.  We set off with water, camera and hiking boots strapped well.  We had been told some steep climbing might be in order and they weren’t kidding.  Most of the hike was along a

sandy path with scrub oak, mesquite and juniper trees as well as red rock surrounding us.  It was beautiful and for a while, mostly mild ups and downs.  We came upon the rock cairn that heralded the trail up to the arch.

Jerome Arizona and Big Nose Kate

October 5^th,  Jerome, AZ

On Saturday, we ventured out on another perfect weather day.  It really was beginning to be uncanny how great our weather had been, from one place to the next.  Daytime temps were in the low 70’s and nighttime temps were low 40’s…..our idea of perfect for both daytime adventures and sleeping under the stars.  We had found out that anything over 50 degrees and our sleeping bags were too warm. 

We set off on our first jaunt of the day….a scenic high mountain road up to the town of Jerome.

Sedona Explorations Begin

October 4^th,  Sedona, AZ

Joyce and I had a good night’s sleep in the campground with relative quiet and a full view of the Milky Way from one horizon to the other.  The night before we had gone on a Star Gazer tour given by some local astronomers.  We had been directed to a school soccer field where they had set up camp chairs and blankets near two high-powered telescopes.  It really was a lovely experience and very informative.  I saw three falling stars during that time and Joyce saw two.  So far we felt like we had lucked out on this trip with good fortune and good weather.  Perhaps those falling stars portended more good will to come. 

Alternative Itinerary

October 1^st to October 3r^d,  Las Vegas and Sedona

We were Vegas bound on Tuesday morning and had a place to land for at least one night with the option for two.  It took no time to get to Vegas and the next airbnb place.  It was a house located in a nice subdivision but unlike the other airbnb places, this one lacked warmth and a homey feeling.  Neither Joyce nor I could put our finger on it but the energy of the place just seemed off.  It felt more like a revolving door of a college dorm than a home.  The hosts were IT consultants who worked out of the home and we found out later had only been here for 8 weeks.  They had rented the house and set up their telecommuting office along with opening it up to airbnb for more income.  Definitely a smart move financially but interesting how it totally changed the vibe in the house.  We were inclined to make our decision more quickly and just go with one night there. 

Geology Tour and Valley Lore

September 30^th, Death Valley, CA

This was the 3^rd Monday of our trip and in the morning our first priorities were coffee, breakfast and laundry.  Joyce had hit the jackpot in her quest for interesting geological formations and photo opportunities so exploring would definitely be on the agenda.  With an exploration of the general store, we learned about a canyon nearby called Artist’s Palette and it looked to be right up our alley.

 

Long Haul to Death Valley

September 29^th, Death Valley, NV               

I used to have more patience for camping but it seems that has changed some.   There are more times now when the lack of convenience is more hassle than novelty.  In Yosemite one has to be especially diligent about keeping the campsite clean of smells and almost everything has to be locked up in a bear-proof food locker unless you are actively using it.  This basically means you are unpacking and packing at least twice a day, even for a simple bit of coffee.  The strict rules, though, seem to go a long way to keeping wildlife away from campgrounds.  During our stay at the Wawona campsite, we were never visited by any wildlife at night.  In fact, we saw very few animals at all during our stay in Yosemite.  It would have been nice to see some wildlife but with enjoying all the beautiful country around us it didn’t seem to matter.  

The day of our travel to Death Valley was a Sunday and very warm and dry.

  

The Piece de Resistance – Yosemite Valley

September 28^th, Yosemite, CA 

This day had us waking up early again after resting very well.  Our campsite was so comfortable with the exception of the arrival of a bunch of rowdy college age kids partying into the wee hours.  I was kind of surprised no ranger came by and told them to cool it since they spoke with such strictness about the rules and regulations such as quiet hours starting at 10pm.  It would seem that park rangers are not in the campgrounds through the night.  Perhaps it is the night air but even though we couldn’t help but hear them in the clear air we still managed to get decent sleep that night. 

We lingered again for a bit over the morning coffee and campfire but we had a lot of ground to cover. Aside from the sightseeing of the famed valley we were desperate for our first showers in a couple days. 

The First Big Hiccup

September 27^th, Yosemite, CA 

Walter is going to be in shock at this but Joyce and I got up our first morning of camping at 8am.  Our typical sleep schedule had changed quite a bit but we had rested well the 

night before and were ready to begin our day. 

It was an easy-going morning around the campfire…..warming up a bit.  Once we had stepped out of our tent we could feel the chill in the morning hours.  That morning was another bright, clear blue sky day with a forecast of 68.  How we were lucking out with such perfect weather was beyond me but a pleasant surprise.   We lounged around the fire and contemplated where to explore first in the park.

Grand Yosemite!

September 26^th, Yosemite National Park, CA

Our ‘fast and furious’ trek to make it to our campground before dark was still a chancy proposition as we entered into the late afternoon.  We passed through the eastern gate of Yosemite National Park with about three hours until dark.  According to GPS we had more than two hours of driving within the park itself before reaching camp but now we were seeing one gorgeous view after another.  I was thankful that Joyce had chosen to drive since this was my first glimpse of this incredible park and my head was swiveling constantly. 

Yosemite or Bust

September 26^th,  Yosemite National Park, CA

Joyce and I were working on doing better with regard to our schedule or actually, I was doing better about estimations on travel time due to a bit of a lecture on the topic by Joyce.  I needed to hear it and vowed to do better.  My usual style of ‘laissez-faire’ was not working when it comes to getting to campsites before dark.  And let me tell you, it really does make a difference. 

The Quirky Silver Jack Inn, Baker, NV

September 25th,  Baker, Nevada 

Once we did our drive up Mt. Wheeler. we pulled into the funky Silver Jack Inn in Baker, NV. 

It was a compilation of odd little buildings….cafe/store/art gallery, motel-type rooms, workshop, owner’s home and other assorted small wooden shacks for who knows what.  Joyce and I both looked at each other and wondered what we were getting ourselves into. 

From Civilization to Isolation

September 25^th  Nevada Basin and Range

Wednesday morning brought clouds, rain and wind for our trek toward Yosemite, through the rest of Utah and into the vast expanse of central Nevada.  Our destination for the day was Baker, Nevada and the Great Basin National Park where the endangered bristlecone pine trees were hanging on. 

When I wrote about the remote area in Colorado around Dinosaur, I had no idea what remote really was until we came to the Basin and Range area of Nevada.

Whose Idea Was This Anyway?

September 24^th,  Park City, UT

Tuesday morning brought yet another lovely day and Joyce and I were hoping to get up into the mountains via the ski lifts that we were told

were opened up now for hikers and mountain bikers.  We still ended up taking our time in the morning (just too relaxed to be in a hurry) but we eventually made our way over to the Canyons Resort and a lift called PayDay which took us to the top of a mountain. 

Poking Around Main Street Park City

September 23^rd, Park City, UT

Monday morning in Park City was a leisurely beginning.  Joyce and I were loathe to leave the comforts of Silvia’s AirBnB home and it was nice not to have an agenda after the long haul from Denver.  With getting such a late start, we decided on strolling around the historic Main Street area and checking out all the art galleries and shops.  The day was another perfect day of warm sun, blue sky and just cool enough for a pullover. 

Park City And Feeling Like The 1%

September 22^nd, Park City 

After a great morning at Dinosaur, we hopped into the Mini that had evidence of ancient soil clinging to the floormats and headed off on a relatively short drive to Park City, Utah.  We had driven more than 7 hours the day before so Sunday’s travel time of 3 and a half hours seemed like a breeze.  The terrain changed a couple more times…leaving behind the more dry, desert-like basin of mountain ranges with hardly any foliage to alpine mountains with pines and aspens.   The weather eventually cleared and turned into a pretty day. 

We arrived at our Airbnb house situated on a small bench of foothills with the vast expanse of a nature preserve in the foreground view and the big mountains beyond. 

This was a home right out of a fancy architectural or luxury home magazine.

Dinosaurs Galore

September 22^nd,  Colorado to Utah

The day before had been approximately 8 hours of travel from the city of Denver to the remote areas of Jensen Utah.  I had chosen this area for our route to Park City so that we could check out Dinosaur National Monument.  (See our suggested link.) I knew Joyce especially was interested in the geology and paleontology in such magnitude as was at this site.  We had that morning to explore the area before making our way to Park City and our second airbnb accommodations.  There were three main reasons for our visit to this area....dinosaur fossils, pictographs and petroglyphs; and amazing geological formations and the record of time they represent. 

In The Rockies At Last

September 21^st, Colorado to Utah

We so enjoyed our morning over coffee and breakfast with Elizabeth and Yasu.  Yasu would get in from the restaurant after we had gone to bed so mornings were when we could talk in a leisurely way with all four of us.  Like Joyce and I, he has an inquisitive mind and we laughed over the questions that would come tumbling out of him.  I envisioned future visits with them for the endless conversations I knew there would never be a shortage of.  I was feeling the lack of sleep from late night talks over wine with Elizabeth and mornings full of dialogue with a table of four but that competed with my excitement of getting into the thick of the Rockies during our drive that day. 

Joyce and I left Denver in early afternoon, later than we should have for a long bit of driving today. 

Mile High City

September 19 - 21

We made it to the Mile High city of Denver, Colorado on a perfect weather day with beautiful blue skies. As we drove out of the prairie I couldn't help but be excited at my first look in many years of the truly big mountains of the West. I was gleeful when we entered Denver and, just past the city, 

Plains Drifting

September 18^th, Missouri to Kansas

After a couple days of relaxing in the laid back atmosphere of Sharon and Richard’s home in Monett, Joyce and I headed northwest into Kansas.  We didn’t get going until around noon on Wednesday but the goal was to drive as far into Kansas as we could and into Denver by Thursday afternoon.  I was feeling ready for a change to cooler climates and less humidity and within a couple hours of being in Kansas the humidity dropped and the wind began to blow.  And I do mean blow. 

The Wedding Day

September 15th,  Joplin, Missouri

Joyce and I had a bit of a leisurely morning enjoying the quiet of the airbnb apartment.  I've noticed that after a long day of driving, the next morning we seem to feel the need to ease into our day.  Guess the long hours of driving aren't as easy as they used to be ten years ago.  I'm also looking forward to the cooler air of autumn temps as we get into the Rockies.  I don't handle the heat well and my energy level really lags when it's combined with humidity.  However, we have to get ready for more strenuous activities in the mountains so we try to get out and walk/hike whenever we can.  

In the early afternoon we checked out the Wildcat

Airbnb in Joplin,Missouri

September 14th, The Creative Cottage

We left the McCluskey house and drove to our lodging for our time in Joplin for the wedding.  A few months back we had heard about an online lodging

community called Airbnb (see suggested links on right side bar of this blog) and began to look into using that for some of our needs on this trip.  In Joplin, we were to stay at a lovely ‘arts and crafts bungalow’ owned by

Celebration begins

September 14^th, Monett in southwestern Missouri

Today’s afternoon was a long drive through Missouri on Highway 44S.  Our first destination is Monett, MO at Joyce’s sister Sharon’s home for a little gathering with family over dinner and a wedding on Sunday.  The weather is just perfect and we had the windows down for our drive though lots of farmland.  We haven’t gotten into the truly flat prairie yet and enjoyed rolling hills and

Moving on South

September 14^th, St. Louis to Monett, Missouri

On Saturday morning we slowly got ourselves together for another leg of our journey; much alcohol was consumed over the last couple days so slow is the operative word.  We were leaving St. Louis and driving south along I-44 to Monett and Joplin, Missouri for the wedding of Danielle, Joyce’s niece and her partner Barry. 

Visiting Cathy's hood

September 12th, St. Louis Missouri

My good friend Cathy showed us the nicer side of this city and most of our time was spent in a relatively small section in west St. Louis on the edge of Forest Park.  Her home, as usual, is a comfortable but chic place to land with a great sense of style and décor, luxurious bedding to sink into and always a cocktail

September 12th, Gateway to the West

St. Louis, Missouri

When we drove into St. Louis on Thursday we saw a great view of the Arch but since we were on the interstate and a bridge to boot there was no way to get a good photograph of it.  Later on during our stay in the city, we managed to go find a place to catch a full shot of the Arch.  The only problem was,

Cloverdale, Indiana to St. Louis, Missouri

Thursday morning, September 12, began with a bit of rainy and steamy start but as we set off to go see the nearby Cataract Falls in Leiber State Park it cleared up.  The falls are Indiana's largest waterfall and while the water level was a little low,

Mercer PA to Cloverdale, IN

It's the morning of Wednesday, September 11th and we are heading west again as a heat wave continues.  I had so been hoping for cooler temps by now but it feels like August instead of September.  Joyce and I have reservations

Time On The Farm

Our first day of driving was Monday, the 9th of September. We headed northwest to the Patterson home and family farm in Mercer, PA.  We had wanted to begin our trip with a visit to Joyce’s family, most importantly her Aunt Caroline who had been having a rough time with pneumonia and a bad fall.  Aunt Caroline is a regal, beautiful lady of 95 years who looks 20 years younger.

The Packrat vs. The Minimalist

This is the first official entry of our travel blog for our Mini meanderings trek but we are already a couple days into it by now.  From Saturday, September 7^th until Monday, the 9^th, 2013 we were busy organizing our gear and packing it all up.  The photos below highlight some of that process which probably should be considered our first adventure.  

 I’m not known for being a light packer so that’s my weakness and Joyce’s challenge (or cross to bear as she rolls her eyes at what I consider must-haves).