15,000 Miles of fun in 45 days
This is something I should have done a long time ago, but better late than never I am making a permanent (?) record of my trip across the USA. I began my journey in Corvallis, Oregon in the summer of 2002. Days are still approximate until I fill it all out. It's like a personal auto-archeology and oral history project at this point. Some details are culled from receipts recently recovered from fire damaged papers... Photos will follow in time.
Day 1 (August 13, 2002)
The first day, I drove to Newport, Oregon, and north up highway 101 all the way to the border with Washington, stopping along the way for some hiking and some food. My first stop was for lunch and microbrew at the Rogue Ales pub in Newport - this would be a theme of my trip, as I made it a point to stop at breweries along the way and sample the local flavors. I grabbed a pizza as well, which accompanied me on my way north. Being familiar with the Oregon coast, I elected not to spend a great deal of time so close to home - after all, I was on my way east, ultimately, and could come back to visit Oregon again with ease.
My first detour off of 101 was to visit the three capes, where I went for a short hike (I would have gone further, but realized that the climb back up the hill would be long and arduous - and I had some miles to cover by nightfall). This is a beautiful area, amazing landscape along the ocean, and far enough off the main road to provide some quiet spots to visit. I spent maybe an hour at the rest area here before proceeding northbound on 101 - bound for the Washington border. I made it to the bridge around nightfall, and took a few quick photos (coming soon) of myself at the border. I consulted my handy road atlas, and elected to press on the city of Tokeland in Washington - it would be a long night, but I was in need of making some tracks. There was a quick stop in Raymond, Washington for gas (Chevron), and I rolled on...
Around midnight or shortly thereafter, I made it to the famous Tokeland hotel, where I snapped some photos of myself at the sign for the hotel, and met a friendly local police officer, who seemed to be very bored with the lack of activity at that late hour. I informed him of my plans, and explained that I was not in fact lost, simply travelling at night to avoid the excessive heat of the day in my non-air conditioned vehicle. He seemed to be suitably convinced that I was not a danger, and took off to continue his patrol for speeders and drunks.
I made my way a few more miles up the coast before bedding down for the night in the back of the civic (my miniature japanese RV). My bed consisted of a pile of blankets topped by a very leaky air mattress. This mattress served as my alarm clock, waking me up early by becoming progressively less comfortable over the course of the evening as the air leaked completely out. Yes - I slept on the same leaky mattress the whole trip.
Day 2 (August 14, 2002)
Next on tap was a quick circuit of the Olympic peninsula. I would have skipped this detour, but for some odd reason I was compelled to reach the Northwest corner of the USA, which in this case meant the Makah indian reservation - a little corner of the peninsula jutting out into the ocean at the straight of Juan de Fuca near Neah Bay. The drive was beautiful, and the reservation has a nice scenic trail that provides a view of the lighthouse guarding the entrance to the Puget Sound - the lighthouse sits on a rock offshore, perhaps a quarter mile from the mainland.
I stopped in Port Townsend in the afternoon, and filled up the tank after strolling the waterfront.
Following this, I made a beeline for Seattle, where I planned to spend the following day.
Day 3 (August 15, 2002)
When I arrived in Seattle it was late at night, so the challenge was finding the best parking spot to spend the night. I ended up sleeping in the shadow of the space needle, where I found a three hour free parking spot. I jumped up early in the morning, walked briskly to the hotel down the street for a wonderful breakfast of french toast, and on my way back to the car, I spent about two hours at the Experience music project. Once my parking time was up, I crossed town to pike place market, where I made a stop for beer and a bagel, and killed the rest of the day cruising the shops.
I spent the whole day in Seattle, and wound up sleeping in the car near downtown.
Day 4 (August 16, 2002)
I woke up early in Seattle, and made a beeline for highway 20, on my way to explore the North Cascade national (and other) parks. I then shot southeast across the high plateau to Spokane for lunch, and spent a whole hour in the park at the center of town biking around and enjoying the carousel - in fact, I stayed a little more than an hour, and earned a parking ticket.
From Spokane, I headed east, intending to make it to Glacier National Park. On my way I stopped in Wallace, and took in a little history regarding a now-defunct brothel, bought some souvenirs, and grabbed a bite to eat. On my way out of town, I came across some high schoolers putting on a free car wash, and got a nice wash for a few bucks.
Sated, I hit the road for Glacier, stopping only for dinner at a little roadside cafe, and gas in Kalispell, Montana (Exxon). Once I made it to the park, I just cruised into the main parking lot by the lodge and made camp in the car.
Day 5 (August 17, 2002)
I woke in the car, parked in front of the main lodge at Glacier national park. I went in to have a look at the place, and found a chance to check the map and plot my plan of attack. I followed the precarious and precipitous route known as the "Going to the Sun Road", one of the best drives in the U.S., working my way from the valley floor up to 7,000 feet at the continental divide, where glaciers clung to the sides of the mountains, while mountain goats negotiated the sheer cliff faces to avoid predation. There was a short level hike at the crest, out to a viewing area where the mountain goats could be clearly seen through a telescope. I stopped long enough to breathe the mountain air and see a mountain goat, and then hit the road for the next park along the way - the greatest park of all - Yellowstone.
Gas stops in Drummond, MT and Livingston, MT (Exxon)
Day 6 (August 18, 2002)
I made it to Yellowstone after the park had closed, so I drove in with no fanfare, and parked in a small lot to sleep in the car. Thankfully I survived the noxious gasses and awoke to a bizarre sight - a field of geysers with a walkway over the top - directly in front of my vehicle. Starting from the north side of the park, I made a circuit around the whole area - visiting the famous sights, and witnessing the wildlife, from Bison to Elk, and Old Faithful of course (gift shop receipt).
I actually ran south to get a view of the Grand Tetons, then looped back through the park to head east. (Jackson Lake Lodge purchase) A wild roadtrip... and I ended my day parking in an alley - one of the worst spots I could have picked on garbage day.
Day 7 (August 19, 2002)
Stopped for gas in Gillette, WY
Full day at Rushmore/Crazy Horse
Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument are both incredible pieces of art, executed in the most difficult of media - and they truly represent a thouroughly modern, American take on the ancient monuments of Egyptian and Aztec dynasties (among others). Both of these sites devote a large part of the museum space to the methods of design and construction of the monuments, and to the outsize personalities that brought their vision to the Dakota hills.
Gas stop in Wasta, SD (Amoco)
Slept by the road under an overpass(?) long long construction zone on a straight stretch of road (stay awake!!)
Day 8 (August 20, 2002)
headed for the corn palace - under construction (had a yummy plate of french toast a few blocks away from corn palace). Found the Devil's Tower from close encounters, took many photos -
St. Peter, MN (Texaco)
Day 9 (August 21, 2002)
On to the mall of America in the twin cities - amazing rain in the parking lot after roller coaster.
Wisconsin Dells Water Park "Well, they claim title of the world’s biggest – too bad it was not that warm a day." I did have a fun time in the couple of hours I played in the water, but to truly enjoy a waterpark, a hot day is mandatory. There was, however, an amazing variety of different slides and I had a good time in spite of temperatures in the seventies and some rain.
Gas - Wisconsin Dells, WI (Amoco)
Day 10 (August 22, 2002)
Chicago - When I arrived in Chicago, I was welcomed by the perennial traffic jams that the city is rightly famous for. After fighting the crush of cars, I navigated mostly by feel and instinct, and ended up a few blocks of the Sears tower at a little place that served sushi. The Sears tower was closed (but I did get there eventually, years later). I took time to stroll along the Lakefront and through the neighborhood before heading out for the night toward Michigan.
Gas - Watervliet, MI (Amoco)
Day 11 (August 23, 2002)
Michigan - Ann Arbor/NWestern/on to Cedar Point - Stopped at NWern University in Ann Arbor to check out the scenic campus, and stopped for a bite to eat and some local retail color. Then headed toward my next amusement - the roller coasters at Cedar Point.
Cedar Point Resorts, Sandusky, OH
Gas - Amherst, OH (BP)
Day 12 (August 24, 2002)
Cedar Point Resorts, Sandusky, OH
Cedar Point provided an entire day of rollercoasters! Okay, this was the biggest coaster I had ridden up to this point – at 300+ feet it was a monster drop (93mph, 80 degrees slope), and I managed to hit all the coasters in the park before lightning (!) shut the show down. What a thrill Spent night by lake side after.
Delaware North Parks
1:51PM – 239 S. Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY Derby 10 Minute Oil Change, Derby, NY
Day 13 (August 25, 2002)
New York State Parks and Recreation Cedar Point (6 Dollar Day Use) Exxon Alburg, VT Texaco Colchester, VT
Niagara Falls - Tesla statue
Day 14 (August 26, 2002)
Drove to Mt Washington, New Hampshire, then on to Burlington, Vermont spent night in Burlington after grabbing coffee and touring downtown (reminded me of Eugene, OR).
Day 15 (August 27, 2002)
Mt. Washington State Park, Gorham, NH 10:19AM – The Waterwheel, 1955 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583 10:33AM – 355 Main Street, Gorham, NH (300 Dollars) New Hampshire – Mount Washington Auto Road Missed the the old man in the mountain, who fell down shortly after I returned home St. Johnsbury Center Rte 5 St Johnsbury, VT Vermont – Ben and Jerry’s, etc Montpelier August 27, 2002 3:31PM, 4:43PM – Moose’s Tail Food & Ale, 1 Sunday River Rd, Bethel, ME 04217 Woodland Big Stop, Woodland, ME Maine –Breweries, Eastport, Portland
Today I made a trip out to visit the Ben & Jerry's factory, and rather than pay for the tour, I just toured the grounds, and picked up a souvenir. On to the coast...via a brewery just after the Maine border.
Day 16 (August 28, 2002)
Today I awoke at the Maine coast, at Eastport literally on the far edge of where I was just over two weeks ago. Visited Bar Harbor brewery for a tour and tasting - yummy fruit beers!
2:10PM – Atlantic Brewing Co. Glassware, Opener and Shirt 2:40PM – Atlantic Brewing Co., 15 Knox Rd. Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Ames Dept Store, Ellsworth, ME Eastport Irving, Eastport, ME 7 Eleven #32538 S Portland, ME Bar harbor, lobster, and beer!
Day 17 (August 29, 2002)
4:01PM– Stoddards, 50 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111 (folding scissors) Friends Park, Boston, MA
Breakfast in Salem, Massachusetts Visited the loop, church, downtown areas. Made it to Providence, R.I. by midnight(?)
Day 18 (August 30, 2002)
4:23PM – Mildly Wild Sportswear, 47 West Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355 (Whale’s Tail Ale Shirt) “Original Mystic Designs” August 30, 2002 Exxon Westerly RI Heritage Motor Inn, Old Saybrook, CT ($97.44) Rhode Island – Providence, et al. Weird folks with a hot dog stand at midnight..
Morning in Mystic, Conn. Drove the slow road on the coast to Brooklyn Bridge, Queens, New York for the night.
Day 19 (August 31, 2002)
Visit with Grandma for my Birthday.
Day 20 (September 1, 2002)
New York (Hess, Brooklyn, NY)
Day 21 (September 2, 2002)
3:44PM – Statue of Liberty Ferry ($10) 4:43PM – Statue of Liberty Museum Store (Shotglass) 4:55PM – Fleet Bank, New York, NY
Day 22 (September 3, 2002)
Visited my grandma and rode the world’s BEST roller coaster – the cyclone
Day 23 (September 4, 2002)
Exxon Philadelphia, PA
Day 24 (September 5, 2002)
Richmond Region Visitors Center – 11:55AM September 5, 2002 (Shot Glass) September 5, 2002 1:47PM – Burger King, 500 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224 (Kids Meal) 7 Eleven, Richmond, VA
Richmond to Rocky Mount
Day 25 (September 6, 2002)
September 6, 2002 – BP Emerald Isle, NC September 6, 2002 – Father and Son Music Georgetown, SC $103.95 – Tube Amp?? Shell, Mt. Pleasant, SC Monro Muffler, Mt. Pleasant, SC North Carolina – Atlantic?? Tried some swimming in the good ol’ atlantic South Carolina – Charleston, Brewery / Pulled Pork and Samples Georgia – Mosquito Motel – the worst stop – would have been better to sleep in the car Florida – Daytona,
Morehead City? to Myrtle Beach on to Charleston?
Day 26 (September 7, 2002)
9:40PM – Miami – Dinner at Les Deux Fontaines 1230 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Cary’s Citgo, Ormond Beach, FL
Day 27 (September 8, 2002)
5:10AM – Denny’s 10205 South Dixie, Miami, FL 33156 12:24PM – Florida Keys – Reef Diving – The Diving Site 12399 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 Chevron, Marathon, FL Texaco, Miami, FL Papa John’s Islamorada, FL
Keys/Snorkel time... into the everglades
Day 28 (September 9, 2002)
into the Magic Kingdom for two days Disney World Epcot - Mitsukoshi Contemporary Resort Shell Lake Placid, FL
Day 29 (September 10, 2002)
September 10, 2002 – Orlando Contemporary resort withdrawal $300 10:46PM Nine Dragons, Orlando, FL
On to Tampa - clean bed and laundry!
Day 30 (September 11, 2002)
Epcot Center to MobileDay 31 (September 12, 2002)
In to New Orleans for the whole day til 3AM went to sleep in the car near Bourbon street.Day 32 (September 13, 2002)
Woke up sweaty in the car, drove to Houston, took a stroll around, then hit the road for Austin - had supper there and enjoyed a stroll by the waterfront.Day 33 (September 14, 2002)
This was waterpark day, a full day in New Braunfels at the huge waterpark. Drove late to make mileage (MP420, I10)Day 34 (September 15, 2002)
Caving...?Day 35 (September 16, 2002)
Carlsbad Caverns to Roswell to Four Corners at midnightDay 36 (September 17, 2002)
September 17, 2002 9:40AM – Flagstaff, AZ withdrawal
Arches Nat'l Park day/Moab was awesomeDay 37 (September 18, 2002)
CanyonlandsDay 38 (September 19, 2002)
September 19, 2002 11:00AM – Utah Highway Patrol “Warning Notice” 73mph, SR191 MP 108
Zion National ParkDay 39 (September 20, 2002)
Grand CanyonDay 40 (September 21, 2002)
NEED TO CHECK MAP??? Flagstaff morning, locked keys in car. Made it to Vegas for RUSH show at MGM Grand. Drove all night through Death Valley - stopped at the bottom.Day 41 (September 22, 2002)
September 22, 2002 4:22AM – 2626 E Highway 95 Amargosa, NV withdrawal
on to Lancaster to visit ShariDay 42 (September 23, 2002)
Visited with Grandma and GrandpaDay 43 (September 24, 2002)
On to San Fransisco - strolled the hill and microbrew crawl.Day 44 (September 25, 2002)
Heading HomeBio Summary
My most extensive travels have been in the last five years, when I have gone on increasingly lengthy roadtrips, culminating in the epic 45 day trip across the country that I took during my last summer at school. I drove from Oregon through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, (Colorado), Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and finally California, before returning home. Although I did miss a few states, now the list of states I have *not* visited is the shorter one. Not a small feat. So which states are yet to be graced with my presence? Hawaii, Alaska (although I did fly over..), North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Delaware. I have visited Washington D.C., but since it is not a state... that leaves me thirteen states to visit (coincidence?). I have had the fortune to explore parts of western and central Canada, but not the 'frenchier' parts to the east.(Styrofoam Tuna was a spontaneous band name generated at the Experience Music Project. It represents the creativity of music, while also implying an image that is an implicit criticism of our consumer society.)
fnord!