USA 2016

The final stretch home … After leaving Austin, we still have a long way to go until we leave Hwy 50 to finally get back onto I-80 west just outside of Reno. We stop just before the state border and Kirk attempts to win our vacation money by investing $20 in the slot machines – unsuccessfully. Then we cross into California, over the Donner Pass and descend to Sacramento. From here on it’s a very familiar trip home (same route … Read More

We overnighted at the starting point of another scenic route, with the San Rafael Reef in front of us. The drive offers spectacular vistas, and is worth taking the time. We cross through Fishlake National Forest including several passes just shy of 8,000 feet high, before finally reaching “civilization” again in Salina, UT, where we stop for gas and breakfast. After having said goodbye to I-70 here, Hwy 50 west will be our new trail for the next day and … Read More

  Refreshed we are ready to get back onto I-70 west and explore some more of Colorado. We do stray from the freeway to leave out a shorter section with tunnel in favor of the Loveland Pass, 11,990 feet elevation, including the Continental Divide and get our feet wet (or cold) in the snow! After passing a couple of ski areas, we are back onto I-70 and zip past Vail, Aspen and other fancy ski resort towns. It’s a beautiful … Read More

It’s a bright and sunny morning as we leave the Beaumont, KS rest area and continue on Hwy 400 west. Soon enough we reach Wichita and turn north onto I-135, which will take us to I-70 west. The Tacoma crossed its 100,000 miles mark, and we just drive on. From here on out, it will be 880 miles that we stay on I-70 … but not so fast! While Kansas seems to be a never-ending state when you drive along … Read More

  Today holds our last “visit” for this trip! By mid-morning, we are back on the road and head further south, to Marshfield, MO, where we will meet for the first time ever cousins of Kirk’s dad. A little out of our original way, but definitely worth the detour. We get to meet the Keeler family, including Dianne – the daughter of Paul Burnett, who was the brother of Kirk’s grandma Nettie Sylvester – and her husband Leray, her brother … Read More

  Tuesday is “guys’ breakfast day” and Kirk gets to join Mike, Rich and a couple of others in their weekly routine, while Lynn and I enjoy breakfast at their house. Lynn is a great cook and host, and we could not have asked for a better stay! But by late morning, it is time for us to say goodbye to the Farley’s and continue on our trip. We head west, and cross the border into Iowa. From here on, … Read More

It’s a late breakfast for everyone, but soon enough more Farley family joins us at Mike & Lynn’s house – Judy as well as Shirley & Rich are coming over, and we’re all having a great time catching up! By early afternoon, Mike is taking on a “tour” to show us the sights of Princeton, IL. Not only the 4 huge flags at the freeway exit to guide visitors to President Ronald Reagan’s birthplace (about 30 miles from here), or … Read More

After packing up our camp site we head down further south on I-75 to Lexington, KY. We’re literally “making the rounds” around my old stomping grounds, starting with a visit to the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort at the north end of town, where I used to work for 18 months, starting 1997. Good memories! Instead of my dog Ben I now have J.T. in my arms, and Kirk snaps a photo of us in front of “The Mansion”, previously a … Read More

It’s time to get dressed in our A’s gear this morning, and by noon we’re dropping J.T. off at a dog sitter in Florence, KY where she will spend the day with several other dogs (big and small) at Celia’s home. We are heading on to downtown Cincinnati, where at the Great American Ballpark the Cincinnati Reds are playing the Oakland A’s for game 2 of the series today! We pick up our tickets, and explore the Riverpark and walk … Read More