We were a bit sad to return from this trip sooner than planned. Odd performance by the Chevy TrailBlazer made us uneasy. Getting home seemed the prudent thing to do.
However ... we did get to experience many wonderful sights, do fun things, meet interesting people and finish our quest to visit all continental U.S. states.
Summary
8,289 miles driven (13.9 mpg)
6,738 miles towing
16 states visited
Really Neat Places
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton Mountains
Mt. St. Helens
Crater Lake
Shakespeare Festival (Ashland, OR)
Tioga Pass (out of Lee Vining, CA)
Yosemite National Park
Giant Sequoia National Park
Death Valley
Next Time
We've been "sampling" all around the country for the past 5 years. We've pretty much decided to "take a closer look" at areas in future trips. The southwest has the most appeal.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Day 55 - (09/26) Home Again
It rained all night and was still at it when we woke up. This weather change has definitely broken the "drought" we've experienced on the trip. We're 411 miles from home, but will probably take two days to get there.
Our campground impression hasn't changed (probably due to the rain, but we'll never know).
The route today was simple ... I-70E.
It looks like an all day rain. We decided to make it all the way home today.
We may have missed the change in Missouri late yesterday, but Illinois seemed to mark the return of lush, green grass. It's surprising how accustomed we had become to boulders, scrub brush, desert and open range.
We got home at 6:45pm and finished unloading by 9pm. It took two trips from the storage lot. Carol wasn't feeling well by the time we settled down for the night.
Our campground impression hasn't changed (probably due to the rain, but we'll never know).
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| Granite City KOA |
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| It was gray and soggy after an all night rain |
The route today was simple ... I-70E.
It looks like an all day rain. We decided to make it all the way home today.
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| Indiana and Ohio greeted us (but forgot to throw in some sunshine) |
We may have missed the change in Missouri late yesterday, but Illinois seemed to mark the return of lush, green grass. It's surprising how accustomed we had become to boulders, scrub brush, desert and open range.
We got home at 6:45pm and finished unloading by 9pm. It took two trips from the storage lot. Carol wasn't feeling well by the time we settled down for the night.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Day 54 - (09/25) Granite City, IL
There were few campers at Covered Wagon Campground. Showering and checkout went quickly this morning.
We stopped by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum for pictures before leaving Abiline. We didn't tour the facilities, but we did leave with fond memories of Abiline.
We traveled 404 miles on I-70 and I-270 today. We passed Junction City, Topeka and Kansas City in Kansas, and Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis in Missouri. The terrain and foliage got more interesting as we progressed eastward. The trip was long and uneventful until we got to St. Louis.
We arrived in St. Louis at quitting time. A severe thunderstorm arrived at the same place and time. It was the 3rd time we've seen rain on the trip and the 1st time in the past 47 days.
We're staying at the Granite City KOA, a few miles east of St. Louis. We arrived in the rain, after dark. It's OK, but not a place we'd recommend. It may look better in the light of day.
The lightning, thunder and rain continued late into the night.
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| Site #24 - Covered Wagon Campground |
We stopped by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum for pictures before leaving Abiline. We didn't tour the facilities, but we did leave with fond memories of Abiline.
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| Ike's boyhood home |
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| Presidential Library |
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| Place of Meditation (gravesite) |
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| Was Ike a buckeye? |
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| A main street in Abilene |
We traveled 404 miles on I-70 and I-270 today. We passed Junction City, Topeka and Kansas City in Kansas, and Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis in Missouri. The terrain and foliage got more interesting as we progressed eastward. The trip was long and uneventful until we got to St. Louis.
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| Missouri and Illinois welcomed us (the rain interfered with pictures in Illinois) |
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| Rainbow appears as we pass by St. Louis |
We're staying at the Granite City KOA, a few miles east of St. Louis. We arrived in the rain, after dark. It's OK, but not a place we'd recommend. It may look better in the light of day.
The lightning, thunder and rain continued late into the night.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Day 53 - (09/24) Abilene, KS
We awoke to gray skies and cool temperatures. The sun appeared by late morning and the temperature rose to the high 70s.
The 367 mile drive on I-70E was pretty boring. Eastern Colorado and western Kansas look alike ... flat or low rolling hills, large farms and ranches, and little population. Hills became more defined as we reached mid-state Kansas.
We ended the day at Covered Wagon Campground in Abiline. It's small, clean and well maintained. Best of all, it's located on Buckeye Street.
Abiline appears to be a very quiet town. At least it was on this Monday night. We arrived at 6:30pm and were set-up by 7:00. The town was pretty much asleep by then. We found one open (non-fast food) restaurant. Ike's Place was pleasant and served us a very good dinner. They displayed many pictures of Dwight Eisenhower.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is just a block from the campground.
Note: We've now visited all states in the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia with the Airstream. Kansas is the last. We visited it in grand style by traveling through the "long way" (420 miles, west to east) and by stopping overnight. Ta-da!
The 367 mile drive on I-70E was pretty boring. Eastern Colorado and western Kansas look alike ... flat or low rolling hills, large farms and ranches, and little population. Hills became more defined as we reached mid-state Kansas.
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| This is eastern Colorado, but western Kansas looks the same |
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| Grain elevators follow I-70 (and the train tracks that run along the highway) |
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| Colorado said goodbye |
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| Kansas extended a welcome |
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| 100's of wind turbines line hill crests in central Kansas |
We ended the day at Covered Wagon Campground in Abiline. It's small, clean and well maintained. Best of all, it's located on Buckeye Street.
Abiline appears to be a very quiet town. At least it was on this Monday night. We arrived at 6:30pm and were set-up by 7:00. The town was pretty much asleep by then. We found one open (non-fast food) restaurant. Ike's Place was pleasant and served us a very good dinner. They displayed many pictures of Dwight Eisenhower.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is just a block from the campground.
Note: We've now visited all states in the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia with the Airstream. Kansas is the last. We visited it in grand style by traveling through the "long way" (420 miles, west to east) and by stopping overnight. Ta-da!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Day 52 - (09/23) Limon, CO
It's another beautiful day ... sunny and warm. We spent some time testing Las Vegas' breakfast fare, then headed north.
Leaving Las Vegas KOA ...
We stopped driving 344 miles later at Limon, CO. The route: I-25N passed Pueblo to Colorado Springs, then US-24E from Colorado Springs to Limon. We're staying at Limon KOA, just off I-70.
We're about 75 miles west of Kansas. The terrain is rolling range and the wind is constant.
Thanks to KOA, we had pizza and wings for dinner. It was tasty.
Leaving Las Vegas KOA ...
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| Site #52 |
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| This working windmill is across the road from the campground |
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| We had a great breakfast here (Michelle Obama has had breakfast here, too) |
We stopped driving 344 miles later at Limon, CO. The route: I-25N passed Pueblo to Colorado Springs, then US-24E from Colorado Springs to Limon. We're staying at Limon KOA, just off I-70.
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| I-25N in New Mexico We see lots of grazing range |
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| New Mexico said goodbye just beyond Raton, NM |
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| Colorado said hello and gave us a light sprinkle as a gift |
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| Fall colors are beginning to show in Colorado |
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| Colorado terrain changes to plains as we move northeast toward Kansas |
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| I-25N approaching Pueblo, CO |
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| Site #47 - Limon KOA |
We're about 75 miles west of Kansas. The terrain is rolling range and the wind is constant.
Thanks to KOA, we had pizza and wings for dinner. It was tasty.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Day 51 - (09/22) Las Vegas, NM
We drove 263 miles today and ended up in Las Vegas again ... Las Vegas, NM that is. The route: US-40E from Gallup to Albuquerque and I-25N from Albuquerque to Las Vegas. We passed Santa Fe on the way.
The weather was beautiful, the roads were good, and the views looked like perfect paintings.
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| US-40 between Gallup and Albuquerque |
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| Remote gas station on I-25 near Las Vegas |
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| Pretty weeds brighten the desert |
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| I-25 approaching Las Vegas |
Interesting stuff ...
Route 66 ran right through this campground.
The Santa Fe Trail passed through Las Vegas.
Some of the west's most infamous outlaws and troublemakers passed through Las Vegas.
Doc Holliday and Big Nose Kate lived in Las Vegas before moving to Tombstone, AZ.
Jesse James came to Las Vegas in 1870.
Teddy Roosevelt announced his candidacy for president of the U.S. in Las Vegas.
15 movies were made in and around Las Vegas.
Our campgrounds for the past 2 days have been on or along Route 66.
Views of the Las Vegas Old Town Plaza ...
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| Plaza Hotel |
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| Restored buildings surround the plaza |
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| Gazebo in the plaza |
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| They're carving dead trees in the plaza |
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| This Catholic church was packed for Saturday night mass |
Friday, September 21, 2012
Day 50 - (09/21) Gallup, NM
We traveled 226 miles today. The route was very simple ... go east on US-40 and stop at Gallup, NM. We played tag with Historic US Route 66 along the way.
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park has been an excellent place to stay. We'd come back any time. They have amenities we never considered.
We did a detour into Flagstaff to confirm oil consumption at Terry Marxen Chevrolet. We knew the outcome before going, but they needed to certify that 1.5 qts were used in 286 miles.
Here's the deal. The engine is using a lot of oil and we don't know why. We have a 5 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty ... less than 6 weeks and 5,000 miles remain until it expires. So, we're heading home in the most expeditious way. Chevrolet or GMC have to certify the consumption.
The route stayed between 5,000 and 7,000ft elevation. It was sunny and the temperature was in the low 80s. The drive was pleasant and the terrain changed constantly. There is lots of truck traffic on US-40.
USA RV Park is between Flagstaff and Albuquerque on US-40. It has an excellent location ... there's just not much in between. It was interesting to watch the campers, trailers and motorhomes pull in and fill the park.
Oh, the park is also located at the end of the Gallup Municipal Airport runway. We get to listen to landing planes late into the night!
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park has been an excellent place to stay. We'd come back any time. They have amenities we never considered.
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| Leaving the park |
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| We saw these Long Horns on the way out |
We did a detour into Flagstaff to confirm oil consumption at Terry Marxen Chevrolet. We knew the outcome before going, but they needed to certify that 1.5 qts were used in 286 miles.
Here's the deal. The engine is using a lot of oil and we don't know why. We have a 5 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty ... less than 6 weeks and 5,000 miles remain until it expires. So, we're heading home in the most expeditious way. Chevrolet or GMC have to certify the consumption.
The route stayed between 5,000 and 7,000ft elevation. It was sunny and the temperature was in the low 80s. The drive was pleasant and the terrain changed constantly. There is lots of truck traffic on US-40.
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| US-40E between Flagstaff and New Mexico |
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| They have really long trains out here |
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| US-40E near New Mexico state line |
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| We were welcomed |
USA RV Park is between Flagstaff and Albuquerque on US-40. It has an excellent location ... there's just not much in between. It was interesting to watch the campers, trailers and motorhomes pull in and fill the park.
Oh, the park is also located at the end of the Gallup Municipal Airport runway. We get to listen to landing planes late into the night!
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