Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge State Park

Fall colors are upon us here in Wisconsin.  With a late October warm pattern pushing temps into the 70s, I booked last-minute vacation and hit the road.  Full trip starts here on Thursday 10/19 and ends late Sunday 10/22 – stay tuned for more posts, there were over 10 stops and it takes time for … Read more

High Cliff State Park

High Cliff State Park - Lime Kiln Trail

Woke up Saturday morning and decided to take a drive.  My main goal was to scout land for the upcoming deer season in the Appleton/Green Bay area.  High Cliff State Park was near enough for my overnight base camp allowing me to also check off another WI state park.  I hastily threw together a backpack and … Read more

World’s Largest Truckstop Iowa 80 (Redux)

World's Largest Truckstop Iowa 80

Pulled off for my last stop before home near Walcott, Iowa. Lots of corn here. LOTS. Apparently I found myself at Iowa 80 Truckstop (the world’s largest truck stop) so there’s that. My life accomplishments may have just peaked… Author’s note: I am revisiting old posts from my 2016 road trip because I posted all … Read more

Kansas City Waffle House (Redux)

Waffle House in all its sloppy glory. Never again.

Adventure comes in all forms, and today it took the shape of a gastronomical trek. The giant Waffle House sign called my name like a beacon of gluttony. We don’t have these in Wisconsin and probably for good reason. $11 dollars worth of shame and sadness was the outcome. Pecan waffle almost saved the day … Read more

Hotel Stop in Amarillo (Redux)

Fifth Season Inn in Amarillo, Texas - Some clown parked way too close in an otherwise empty lot

Quick overnight stop at the Fifth Season Inn in Amarillo, Texas. Booked last minute while on the road for $40, not bad. Only downside is this clown in the white truck parking super close to my car then sitting there with his door open basically touching the bump strips. Entire rest of the parking lot … Read more

White Sands National Monument (Redux)

White Sands National Monument - Panorama of the gypsum dunes and San Andres Mountains in background

The start of my return journey home begins with a short cruise east from Las Cruces on US-70 to White Sands National Monument. Known for its very rare almost pure white sand dunes, it seems almost out of place compared to the other local landscape.  Interesting fact: at 275 square miles, it is the largest … Read more

2016 New Mexico Elk Hunt

Dad sneaking into a better position for the shot on a monster bull elk

After several weeks of travel and about 5,000 miles driven, I arrived in Las Cruces, NM and reunited with my family. Took one day off to rest and prepare for the elk hunt season.  My Dad drew a bull tag for NM unit 34 which is located in the Lincoln National Forest.  Based on intel … Read more

Driving To Las Cruces And Some Green Chiles (Redux)

Plenty of mountains to see driving south from Santa Fe to Las Cruces

First time driving Santa Fe south to Las Cruces. Enjoyed seeing all the different mountains along the way. Didn’t spend much time in Las Cruces, and what little time I was there was spent catching up with family and preparing for elk hunting. After the hunt I was gifted some Hatch green chiles to take … Read more

Cities Of Gold Casino Hotel (Redux)

Cities Of Gold Casino Hotel - Santa Fe, New Mexico

It was a long drive through the mountains on the less direct route in order to avoid the snow at Monarch Pass in Colorado. The “lower” pass I drove through on the longer route was still around 10,000 feet but grades were gradual and managed with relatively low stress. Once out of the mountains I … Read more

Arches National Park

Arches National Park

After Capitol Reef I had a decision to make – skip some parks and start driving south, or press my luck and go for more.  Made some distance calculations with my road atlas (no cell service out here anywhere) and made the call to push onward in my adventures. Only about 100 miles or so … Read more