Journal from a Solo Road Trip in the Western USA

This is the first real trip I have taken solo, and it is a big one. I've driven to LA, San Francisco, Yellowstone, Vancouver and Victoria Canada, and the California Coast all the way to Mexico with others, so I've been on the road, but not for 3 weeks, and not alone.

I'm nervous and excited, but have taken as many precautions as possible and gotten prepared to just drive and see things. I've made no reservations and though I have a plan to see some friends, I will get there when I do. This is freedom!

My main rules are: Have fun! Well, too, I won't drive at night (unless absolutely necessary), I won't drive back roads, I won't go hiking, and I won't be afraid. I'm going to have fun.

However, I have a sleeping bag, tent, 3 gallons of water, flashlight, batteries, cooking supplies, ice chest, and first aid kit. I can also sleep in my car by folding down the seats.

I am not a fan of camping these days, I've done it most of my life, so I'd rather be more comfortable, and feel safer by staying in a motel. I didn't like the idea of sitting around by myself in a campground. I know lots of people, men and women, that will do that, but since I could afford not to and it made me feel safer, the plan was motels/hotels all the way!

Travel Journal – Western USA 2001 - Week 1

Day 1

My first day was a leisurely drive to Salem, Oregon to spend time with my youngest brother. We were able to have a nice dinner and a nice visit. My first visit to his house here.

Day 2

I left early the next morning down I-5 to Roseburg and left onto 138 for Crater Lake National Park. I purchased my National Park Pass here. The pass is good for a year and will get me into any National Park.

It was a clear and sunny day. The lake is absolutely gorgeous! The lake is about 1,950 feet deep, and so blue. Wow!

I took the eastern branch of 62 and joined 97 south along the shores of Upper Klamath Lake into Klamath Falls, then the 39 and 139 until I reached the 395 and headed into Reno.

To date, this is my first and last trip to Reno. I had a hard time finding a motel on the weekend, and ended up in the worst place I've ever stayed. I was so tired, I was just glad the bed was clean.

I walked around a little bit, but I didn't feel real comfortable, and was tired so just went to my room, and got some sleep.

Day 3

As soon as it was light, I left Reno, yeah! I continued south on 385 and back into California and Death Valley National Park.

I had expected to see this arid landscape with dried up creek beds and scaly looking earth. I saw some of that, and more. At one place you are actually at -282 ft, which makes you below sea level! That is truly amazing to me.

You will drive up over these passes and then back down a couple of times. At one point, the way the road was, was like being on a roller coaster, you climbed up, up, up, and then you had this long coasting descent. I took my foot of the gas and just let the car roll. That was a blast!

Another interesting thing was the sand dunes in the valley. Pristine clean beige sand, sculpted by the winds.

I drove into Las Vegas for the evening. I had never been here before, I had done some research and was able to find an opening and a decent rate for Sunday night at the Riviera.

There were so many people walking around that I didn't feel uncomfortable walking around by myself. I went over to Circus Circus annex and played black jack and won. Then I walked down the strip looking at all the hotels and their themes. Since I like architecture, it was fun.

Day 4

I headed south for a quick visit to Hoover Dam. I drove across and back and found parking so that I could walk out on the Dam. I did not take a tour, but did get up the courage to look over the edge. That is a scary view down to the spillway!

I got back on 15 and drove towards Utah. At one point, you couldn't see where the road was going to go. All you could see was this wall of rock, it was interesting. Eventually you could see that there was an opening to drive between the front rocks and the back ones and around and up the hill.

I was making good time today, so I was able to take a little detour up I-15 and stop at Kolob, the northwestern part of Zion National Park. There are lots of red rock formations here. This is the type of scenery I have made this trip for, I want to see the beautiful red rocks of southern Utah. This area is filled with Scenic Byways and I will be driving as many as possible, starting with number 9.

I had a reservation for the night, I'd called in the morning, knowing that I would be arriving at the south entrance to Zion today. This was my one splurge, to stay in this very nice bed and breakfast, which actually has little cabins. In the morning they bring you a basket of breakfast, your choice of a hot or cold meal. I ordered mine for 7 am. The little cabins are beautiful!

Day 5 - September 11, 2001

This was one of the most beautiful and one of the saddest days of my life. I will never forget where I was and what happened in the USA this day.

I was up, packed, and awaiting breakfast delivery, so I turned on the TV and they were talking about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. The events that follow are well known.

I didn't know what to do for a while, so I sat and watched. Then I decided there was nothing I could do, so I moved on.

I drove into Zion National Park and caught the shuttle that takes you into the valley. The perspective is so different when you are riding through the bottom of a canyon. I did not go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon when I was there, so I have never seen these beautiful red rocks from this perspective. Wow!

We saw mule deer and a coyote walking beside the road!

I talked to a lot of people that were keeping up on the news. The horrible news.

Once off the shuttle, and back in my car, I listened to the news as I drove out the east side of the park.

I stopped at a souvenir shop in Mount Carmel Junction and bought a tee shirt and some rock cubes. Then on through Kanab onto Highway 89 to Page.

There were some sights that I had hoped to see, but I either missed them or just couldn't find them. I did notice that the Glen Canyon Dam at Page was closed and there were security guards all around the entrance and at the Dam. This is a little scary.

Day 6

The original plan was to head to Flagstaff, Arizona for the night and stay with a very good friend. When I called them, I found out they were stranded in San Francisco because all flights were cancelled. They were going to wait another day or so and then find another way home.

I decided to go to Canyon de Chelly via Monument Valley and possibly loop back around through Flagstaff on my way to Bryce Canyon.

The drive through Monument Valley was stunning! I didn't think I would ever want to leave. The formations rising out of the valley are just amazing, and so beautiful. I love the colors of the stones.

I drove to Four Corners, the point where the Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado borders meet. There is a little visitor's area, a small monument and an "x" marks the spot plaque.

On the drive from Four Corners, I was able to see Shiprock, a 1400 foot high volcanic formation, off in the distance.

I found a nice motel for the evening and settled in to see what was happening and confirm my ideas for what to do tomorrow.

Day 7

I drove the north rim of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, then the south. In the bottom of the canyon you can see several farms. In several areas you will see the ruins of Anasazi cliff dwellings built around 1065 AD.

I went back to Page, because my friend was still not back from San Francisco.

After I checked in at my hotel, I got a call, my friends had returned from California, so I would drive down to see them in the morning.