The Big Drive
In and around United States
When my husband started working in Colorado in October (2007), I visited a few times for a week or so. As a rule, I don't much like the cold, even the famous "dry" cold of many western states. But, as summer began to drag its hot humid masses across the U.S. east coast, that dry climate started to beckon, and I heard its call. Dry heat would be so much better than dry cold, I reasoned. I would stay for at least a month this time.
But, a visit of a month or more would mean I'd have to board my dog Sam and my cat Sheba all that time, an expensive undertaking to say the least. Plus airfare, plus rental car. And so was born the "The Big Drive." I would drive to Colorado! But, wait, what about this invitation to a wedding in Texas? The wedding date was to be during The Big Drive! And, just as suddenly, The Big Drive got much, much bigger. Most U.S. maps will not show Texas on the way from Maryland to Colorado. And those maps would be exactly correct: my part of Maryland and the part of Colorado where I am headed are on the same latitude, essentially a straight line across the mid-west US. Diverting to Texas makes that straight line a triangle, adding many miles and much adventure to my insane plan.
And so, with apologies to John Steinbeck, I’ll begin my Travels with Sam and Sheba on the Tuesday after the Fourth of July.
Look for me outbound, in West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Coming back I plan to follow a somewhat more direct route.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Fretless
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1
First Stop, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Packing the car for this trip reminded me of packing our old sailboat – you have this huge pile of “stuff” that has to be stowed in a real tiny s... Continue reading »
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2
Planning the Big Drive
Just how do you plan a 3000-mile (4793 km) road trip with an 86-pound/39 kg yellow lab and an 8-pound cat? There have been as many logistics... Continue reading »
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3
Day 2: Hardy, Arkansas
Nestled up near the Missouri border, Hardy, Arkansas was not exactly on my way to Texas. But my brother-in-law Glenn is building a house ther... Continue reading »
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4
Day 3; Seguin, Texas
By the time I finish the Big Drive, I will have crossed Texas in a large V from northeast to southwest and up to northwest. Considering Texas... Continue reading »
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5
Day 5: New Braunfels, Texas
Amy and Jeremy were married today at 11:00 in New Braunfels, Texas, at First United Methodist Church. Amy looked elegant in her bridal gown a... Continue reading »
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6
Seguin, Texas
Driving in Seguin, I noticed a crop I had never seen before. It turns out it is maize, so I thought I would share a couple of photos with you... Continue reading »
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7
Very Short visit to Lubbock, Texas
I didn't stay in Lubbock, despite a reservation at the Towne Place suites there. I would not recommend that hotel.
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8
Muleshoe, Texas
It is raining in Muleshoe. Distant lightning silently reaches the ground, but the rain is not heavy. It wouldn't matter, I won't be goi... Continue reading »
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9
Chimayo, New Mexico
Leaving Muleshoe, Texas, I followed the Santa Fe Railroad, which US Route 84 paralleled for quite a distance. The railroad changed not... Continue reading »
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10
Echo Amphitheater Rock Formation
Driving through New Mexico from Texas, I was struck by the long stretches of wide open space. New Mexico is the 5th largest state but ranks... Continue reading »
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11
Redvale, Colorado
Well, I made it to our place in Redvale, Colorado.
Today's drive was pretty easy, but still took about 8 hours including stops.&n... Continue reading »
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12
A Week of Gas Across America
When I crossed the Colorado State Line into Pagosa Springs on the 16th of July, I had purchased gas 12 times in 8 days, in 8 different states. ... Continue reading »
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13
Norwood Rodeo
We don't have a lot of rodeos on the East coast, so I have managed to get through life all these years without visiting one. But after stoppi... Continue reading »
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14
Bedrock, Colorado
On a bend in Colorado Route 90, in the middle of spectacular Paradox Valley, lies the town of Bedrock, home to 230 hardy Coloradans.
h... Continue reading »
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15
Woods Lake
I found a perfect spot today. A lake rimmed by mountains, fir trees along its shore, their dark green branches and the bright blue sky reflec... Continue reading »
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16
Mountain Village, Colorado
Tom Cruise has a home here, they say. So does Oprah. The view is spectacular, no matter which way you turn -- even if you are not at To... Continue reading »
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17
Telluride in Summer
Summer Telluride is quite a different town from Winter Telluride. When I visited in winter, the town was rife with skiers bundled in bright p... Continue reading »
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18
Silverton, Colorado
It's easy to guess how Silverton got its name. The mining boom in the San Juan Mountains drew settlers from all over the globe, and inspired... Continue reading »
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19
Soaring Treetops Adventure
Rockwood was our embarking point for this all day adventure, starting with a short trip on the Durango-Silverton steam-powered train. As we a... Continue reading »
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20
Ouray, Colorado - Hot Springs
Not just another mining town, Ouray was named for a Ute chief whose nomadic ancestors had long traveled to this place to soak in its sacred waters.... Continue reading »
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