Michigan: Traverse City to Grand Rapids

From Mackinac I cut over to the Traverse City area where I began what would be a week of local brewery visits and to experience all things cherry related. It was kind of overcast for most of my visit and it was supposed to rain off and on over the next few days, so it …

Wyoming: Yellowstone

I left the Tetons reluctantly, heading north through the National Forest in hopes of stumbling upon a campsite in the stretch between Grand Teton and Yellowstone parks. I was unsuccessful, but stubborn (perhaps persistent is a nicer word, but perhaps less accurate) and thus continued on the rutted, dirt and gravel forest service roads across …

New Mexico: Carlsbad area and Roswell

We next dipped back south to visit Carlsbad Caverns. In another internet research fail, e arrived in the early afternoon to discover that they were limiting cave tour numbers for social distancing (totally smart and good) by handing out timed passes in the morning (just wish they said this part online). So we were out …

Colorado: Around Golden

Weird bundling of three bundles of time in Golden, because why not. I first arrived in late March to impose myself on my friend outside Denver until the Covid-lockdown-crazies calmed down and I could figure out where in the area would be a viable option to head next without restrictions and overwhelming closures. Little did …

Colorado: Glenwood Springs to Estes Park

The next stop on our little Colorado tour was kind of a roadside attraction stop to fill some time on our way towards Rocky Mountain Park- a few hours in a funny little amusement park in Glenwood Springs. We really went so we could ride the scenic gondola up to the top of the hills, …

Colorado: Durango to Telluride

After leaving the Sand Dunes we headed west and rolled into Durango pretty late in the evening. where it was rainy and gross, so we opted for a hotel to not mess with finding a wet campsite in the darkness. Plus, shower! And in the morning another treat awaited in the form of Oscar’s, a …

Iowa: Sioux City and a Pandemic Road Trip

Long time, no van travels! As I alluded to previously, once the Covid crazies hit I took a week to regroup and self-isolate in El Paso, then booked it to the closest person I felt comfortable shoving myself on for who knows how long, which happened to be my friend Kevin just outside Denver. More …

Texas: Austin

I’d been planning to visit my friend Kevin’s sister and her family in Austin before all the crazy came about, and they very kindly still offered to take me into their home as part of their social distancing group. I hung out for a few days with Darla, Jeff and their kids in a suburb …