We started at the Shell station behind our house with the trip meter at zero, 27 days later, 4444 miles had passed. Here's the final tally . . . .
4444 miles
242 gallons of gas
most expensive gas . . . 4.62 per gallon in Death Valley
least expensive gas . . . 2.80 per gallon in Tremonton, Utah
overall average for a gallon of premium gas . . . 3.66 (FJ needs the high octane stuff)
18.4 miles per gallon overall
We did manage over 20 mpg on the slow legs (Yosemite & Oregon with the speed limit of 65)
27 nights on the road
18 nights in a tent
2 nights with friends/relatives
7 nights in a hotel pushed our average cost to 44.74 per night
Death Valley offered the most economical lodging, less than 7 dollars per night
We had our average cost of lodging down to 20.50 until checking into a hotel in Pasadena
1 Flat Tire
No accurate tally on the beers consumed
14 meals in 27 days/nights that we didn't prepare (a nice cost savings)
114 points scored by the WSU/UW opponents in the final leg of our trip
0 points by the Cougars and Huskies in those games
Interstates driven on (in order)
5, 205, 5, 80, 10, 210, 5, 8, 15, 215, 15, 84, 82, 90
Friday, November 7, 2008
Heading Home
Following our 'rest day', we planned another hike up one of the canyons on the west side of Zion. However, the blisters we both have from the West Rim Trail make it prohibitive. With the first sprinkles of the trip falling, we decide to head home.
After packing up camp and hitting the highway, I feel panic setting in. I have learned to adapt very well to travel, but I have no idea what is next for me. As long as we are on the road, I don't have to think about it. What am I going to do with myself and my time? What is next for me? I fumble to find a notepad and make a list of things to do. Better yet, maybe we should make a right turn and go to Moab.
I take a few deep breaths as Wilson continues to drive north...I guess it is time to figure this out.
After packing up camp and hitting the highway, I feel panic setting in. I have learned to adapt very well to travel, but I have no idea what is next for me. As long as we are on the road, I don't have to think about it. What am I going to do with myself and my time? What is next for me? I fumble to find a notepad and make a list of things to do. Better yet, maybe we should make a right turn and go to Moab.
I take a few deep breaths as Wilson continues to drive north...I guess it is time to figure this out.
Zion
We landed in the somewhat familiar territory of Springdale, Utah and Zion National Park. We had been to Zion twice before, but the weather is great and we have a few things we want to do there.
The next day, we will take it easy! We'll ride the bikes in the valley and go on a photo safari. Here are some of the highlights:
We spotted a very rare California condor. This bird has an eight foot wing span. And we later learned that it's the rarest bird on the world, only 156 are known to live in the wild.
Zion is one of my favorite places. The park system does a nice job there, making it a pleasant place to be.
We re-establish the camping routines and decide to hike the West Rim Trail. It is the longest day hike I have ever attempted - 16+ miles, but most of the elevation is down. Like 5000 feet down.
For some reason, Wilson thought it would be a cool shot, if he held himself up by a small tree while peering down an 1800 foot cliff into the Virgin River canyon. Around mile 10 - I suspect that I may have a blister brewing. I put it out of my mind and enjoy the fall colors as we begin our rapid decent into the valley. The maples are spectacular!
For some reason, Wilson thought it would be a cool shot, if he held himself up by a small tree while peering down an 1800 foot cliff into the Virgin River canyon. Around mile 10 - I suspect that I may have a blister brewing. I put it out of my mind and enjoy the fall colors as we begin our rapid decent into the valley. The maples are spectacular!The final two miles are a relentless descent on a paved path. Our joints are begging for mercy, but we push on.
The next day, we will take it easy! We'll ride the bikes in the valley and go on a photo safari. Here are some of the highlights:We spotted a very rare California condor. This bird has an eight foot wing span. And we later learned that it's the rarest bird on the world, only 156 are known to live in the wild.Zion is one of my favorite places. The park system does a nice job there, making it a pleasant place to be. Breeders Cup LA style
Obviously we are still behind in the blogging, but in the interest of telling the whole story, we will continue chronologically.
We rolled in LA, dirty, dusty, and stinky with only a few hours to prepare for the big chindig. While Curt unloaded and cleaned the car, I made my way to Colorado Blvd. to pick up some necessities to finish off my outfits. I was overwhelmed by all of the things I could buy. Suddenly, I became aware of all of the things that I could have - cupcakes, gelato, lotions, clothes, etc etc etc. Things that I had no desire for when they weren't presented before me in attractive store windows. I resisted (for the most part) and stuck to the necessities. Susie had a fabulous dress to meet Maroon 5. Check it out in its fringey action!
The party was a perfect display of LA's excesses. The young socialites attempting to work their way into the VIP areas, looking way older than their attire suggested. The band never really connected with the audience and the party never really connected to horse racing. However, a good time was had by all as we got to know some of Susie's favorite people who would become recurring characters for the weekend.
We drove through Las Vegas and never once considered stopping. Between Lake Tahoe and the Breeder's Cup, I think we were both gambled out. After three solid days of gambling, we had broken even. That felt like a victory, so we let Las Vegas slowly slip away in the rear view window.
We rolled in LA, dirty, dusty, and stinky with only a few hours to prepare for the big chindig. While Curt unloaded and cleaned the car, I made my way to Colorado Blvd. to pick up some necessities to finish off my outfits. I was overwhelmed by all of the things I could buy. Suddenly, I became aware of all of the things that I could have - cupcakes, gelato, lotions, clothes, etc etc etc. Things that I had no desire for when they weren't presented before me in attractive store windows. I resisted (for the most part) and stuck to the necessities. Susie had a fabulous dress to meet Maroon 5. Check it out in its fringey action!
The party was a perfect display of LA's excesses. The young socialites attempting to work their way into the VIP areas, looking way older than their attire suggested. The band never really connected with the audience and the party never really connected to horse racing. However, a good time was had by all as we got to know some of Susie's favorite people who would become recurring characters for the weekend.Friday was ladies day at Santa Anita, so we donned our dresses and talked about the fortunes to be made. 
Curt made some $$ on day1, and hope abounds for the 'life changing' bets that will surely come in on Saturday. Susie and I honored our outfits and started a show parlay based on polka dotted silks. This is not a sound betting strategy, but it would have been fun if it had worked.
We had a lovely evening of paella, sangria, and live music until the screaming chick took the stage. This was enough for us to retreat for some rest beofre the big day. After all, Curt still has studying to do.
Saturday morning came early and we were back at the race track.
We enjoyed the day of championship horse racing. We actually took this picture. After wandering around the infield during the heat of Saturday, we headed back to main grand stand and decided to watch the next race from the rail. While waiting, the starting gate pulled up, and we were in perfect position to watch the horses load and start for the Dirt Mile.
Susie worked it, and before we knew it we were all in a VIP area. We were graciously welcomed by many of the 'fans of Susie' and enjoyed their anecdotes. I was as intrigued by the celebrities within my midst. There was Pierce Brosnan, Dennis Hopper, Bobby Flay, and Turtle from Entourage was holding hands with Meadow Soprano, Jamie Lyn Seigler. (Now that we have caught up on our Entourage episodes, we see how they must have met. It was also cool to see the 'joshua tree' episode.)
At the end of the day, the only winning ticket Wilson had was at In and Out where his number was called ahead of the others around him. Nontheless we had a great time.
The next morning, two of our favorite things . . . coin op laundry and packing the car. With the chores done, we pointed the FJ south on the 5 for San Diego. Wilson hoped to surf, but the afternoon winds picked up, so we settled for cold beers on a roof top deck at Pacific Beach. At this locale, we overheard a fairly drunk guy proclaim . . . "If only we knew someone in the TV business who knows how to get a show on the air and also has time on their hands" No kidding, this group of people was sitting right next to us and wanted to pitch a fashion show, but didn't really know the who's and where's of how to get this done. I exchanged numbers with them and we agreed to chit chat when they were sober and I was ready to focus on something other than my walkabout.
We met up with Greg when he finished work. It was awesome to spend the evening with him at a few of his favorite local establishments. We crashed his apartment and I marveled at his teal stove.
On Monday morning, we had to make a decision . . . head south for Baja, stay in Dan Diego, or head north. We chose the latter, and about 6 hours later, a very strange thing happened in the northbound lanes of I-15 . . .
We drove through Las Vegas and never once considered stopping. Between Lake Tahoe and the Breeder's Cup, I think we were both gambled out. After three solid days of gambling, we had broken even. That felt like a victory, so we let Las Vegas slowly slip away in the rear view window.Sunday, November 2, 2008
Joshua Tree
We exited the south end of Death Valley and traversed the Mojave towards the fabled Joshua Tree. Honestly, I didn't know anything about the park, but love the album. I also am fond of the Seuessian looking yucca. Our favorite tree photo is actually this one that we took on the way into Death Valley. 
With fresh supplies, and a stop to drop off the drycleaning in the weirdly militant town of 29 Palms, we made our way into the park and settled in to a nice camp spot. I know it is completely cliche', but I played a little U2 while setting up the tent.
The next morning, our neighbors asked if they could join our hike that day. Although I was somewhat skeptical, it was nice to talk with Lincoln and Katie that day. Lincoln showed interest in Curt's gagets and gizmos. They also did not subscribe to our 'marching' pace, so it did give us a fresh perspective on the activity and an outlet for us to share some of our tales thus far. It made me somewhat reflective when I noticed the "middle finger" rock.
Honestly, if it hadn't been for them, Susie would have been exhausted by our stories in LA.Curt also befriened the local wildlife. The first night, he spotted a mouse boldly running across our picnic table. It sought protection in my empty plastic wine cup. Or so he thought. Curt flipped the wine glass on top of the mouse, and flung it off the table. The next evening, the mouse was digging around in the recycling...not the garbage. It seems that the two mice that inhabit our camp site like to booze and are not shy.
Its funny. We've been in the cold, and the heat, but hadn't really noticed the wind...until the Santa Anas rolled in. They're exhausting. We decide to make a quick pilgrimage to Palm Springs to find somthing to wear to the big events in LA that are next on the agenda.
Its funny. We've been in the cold, and the heat, but hadn't really noticed the wind...until the Santa Anas rolled in. They're exhausting. We decide to make a quick pilgrimage to Palm Springs to find somthing to wear to the big events in LA that are next on the agenda.We hike up to Ryan's Peak and look backdown at camp before departure and make our way to Pasadena. 
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