I drove 7233 miles in 15 days. Twenty states:
Georgia
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Texas
New Mexico
Arizona
California
Oregon
Washington
Idaho
Montana
North Dakota
Wyoming
South Dakota
Iowa
Missouri
Illinois
Kentucky
Tennessee
If I hadn't had to cut my trip short, I would have also stuck my nose in Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska. I got within a few miles of all three. Now there are only three states I haven't driven in: Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
I was planning on spending three days in St. Louis to visit family and friends, but had to bail on that.
The heat wave mostly missed me. The only two places where it was really hot were the desert in California and Arizona and yesterday driving home from St. Joseph. The weather in Rapid City on Saturday was awesome. High 70's to mid 80's. The bikers had to love it.
My car performed great on all the winding roads. It was some of the most fun driving I have ever done. Alas, this will probably be the last road trip for the Z3.
I got to meet some old friends and some new friends. I also had to miss meeting lots of other people since I was on a pretty tight schedule.
I have to admit, it was nice in Oregon having someone gas up my car.
There was only one place I stayed on the entire trip that didn't have internet access.
I love my new laptop.
I want to thank everyone who gave me suggestions of where to go. Even though I didn't follow most of them, they were appreciated.
Getting through places like LA is great when you have a Garmin. I have driven through LA using a map and that is a real pain.
My cats were very glad to see me, even Scooter, who usually punishes me by sulking and avoiding me. He was all over me when I got home.
This was a very ambitious trip. I won't do one of this magnitude again. I think for the next Texas Blown-Eyed Blodger meet, I may drive out and then continue on to Tucson to see my friend Phil, whom I missed this trip (he was in Missouri), then up to Four Corners, and back home through Colorado (maybe trying to find Rob Cooper), stopping in St. Louis. I'm hoping to buy a new 330is to replace my 325is, which is now 15 years old. That trip will be less than two weeks.
Went to the doctor this morning. Got my antibiotics for the sore. Hopefully it will heal quickly 'cause I got a dive trip coming up next month.
I hope y'all enjoyed reading the travelogue as much as I did writing it.
Posted by denny at August 14, 2007 06:06 PMWelcome back. Enjoyed the travel updates. I figured that you used between $900 - $1,000 in gas. Think what it would have cost if Al Gore were president and taxing it.
Posted by: Woody on August 14, 2007 06:50 PMWelcome back Denny. Rest those feet and try and find some good Saturday boobage.
Posted by: gene Hall on August 14, 2007 07:51 PMI'm impressed with your trip. Heck, although I've driven by Mt St Helen's, I have not stopped in to see it since she blew her top.
Guess if you can come thousands of miles, I should drive the little bit.
Heel thy sore and go diving.
What size feet you got, Denny? Maybe I can knit you some socks for your sore feet. I have a sock knitting addiction I need to feed.
Posted by: Peggy U on August 14, 2007 08:10 PMOh my goodness- I'm impressed!
Posted by: AnnaD on August 14, 2007 08:50 PMI enjoyed the travelogue. I bought a Garmin about six months ago. Best thing I've ever had. Does yours go crazy if you don't obey it? Mine will "recalculate" two or three times, then try to send me over a cliff.
Posted by: Alan on August 14, 2007 08:57 PM... glad you had a safe and happy trip, bro..... welcome home....
Posted by: Eric on August 14, 2007 09:43 PMDenny, you're certainly lucky. I've know mad cats who pee on their owners' pillows.
Glad you had a good time. Glad you made it back home.
NWCudagal
Posted by: Nwcudagal on August 14, 2007 09:48 PM7,000 + miles and you never started to unfold a map! Road map? You don't need no stinking road map!
You're my hero...
Billy
Posted by: Billy on August 14, 2007 10:05 PMHey Denny,
Welcome back. Nice that you made it in one piece. I know you hate this kind of stuff, but I have decided to revive my blog and start blogging again. Let's see if I can keep it going.
http://www.alongfortheride.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Budman8 on August 14, 2007 10:24 PMIt was definately entertaining reading Denny. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. The pics were a nice addition. I especially enjoyed the pic you took on the way out of Blythe. I'm going to be passing through that area for a weekend of camping in a few weeks and I can already feel my eyes drying out. So glad I have a crankin' A/C in my truck.
The driving music you mentioned in your W.W.W.T.D.13 post is what makes the trip fly by for me. Full blast with the anticipation of destination, peddle to the metal, and fast driving. Before I know it, I'm already there.
On the way home, the stereo is usually 1/4-1/2 blast with Opeth, Stan Ridgeway, or Pink Floyd and the reality of knowing I have to go back to work the next day. Damn, I hate that!
When I get home, the cats are pissy little bitches, even on trips when I'm only gone for a few days. Kinda like liberals, they throw major temper tantrums, and are little pussies...
Happy trails, you SRF...
Such Freedom afford's one a rare-air!
Mile-upon-mile in far-distant states.
Your task now is to burn this entire thing to CD/DVD and toss it in a corner.
When "Denny's Blog" opens on the big screen to critical-acclaim, that media will be worth mucho dinero.
Don't forget that Ted Williams had his head frozen with the idea that He was stashing something for the Future.
You know how to bat don't you? Put your hands together way down low on the shaft ... make a nice clean swing.
:)
Posted by: DanS. on August 14, 2007 11:02 PMI'd take up the Peggy U offer as early as possible!
Posted by: DanS. on August 14, 2007 11:28 PMPeggy U - Size 10.
Alan - Yeah. She gets pissed when I stop for gas. I just hit stop and when I'm done start her up again.
Billy - Actually, I looked at the maps at night and tried to determine where I was gonna go the next day.
Posted by: Denny on August 14, 2007 11:42 PM >>
I see you've made her human. Mine is named Sally. How about yours?
Welcome home. Enjoyed the travelogue. Nice pics. Glad to hear the trip was fun and a success.
Posted by: Hans on August 15, 2007 07:17 AMDenny, I'm rather easy to find, to friends anyway, although I do need to update this...just look here...
Posted by: Rob Cooper on August 15, 2007 07:23 AMBTW, how did you avoid the "4 corners", Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona?
Posted by: Rob Cooper on August 15, 2007 07:45 AMGreat job Denny. I loved reading the travelogue, which made work not all that dreary after all.
Posted by: Kentuckyschmoe on August 15, 2007 07:57 AMWelcome back, Denny. I know that you and Cindy will take good care of that sore and you'll be diving soon.
Elizabeth
Imperial Keeper
Alan - I just call her Garmin.
Rob - I was too far south to hit it since I was taking I-10.
Posted by: Denny on August 15, 2007 11:49 AMGlad you had fun. I enjoyed it too. You are more active than most.
Posted by: vefromhell on August 15, 2007 04:49 PMSometimes, I felt you were on your "last" Hurrah! But then knowing your humor and your character from all the years of reading your posts, well, it was not that at all.
I really enjoyed your trip, almost as much as if I was riding shotgun with you.
Being a crip myself from an OTJ helo crash, but without your writing skills, and not being able to describe what you saw and felt all along your "chaucer" travels.
I checked in every day with you.
Thanks! mc
If you want to know what it's like to drive in Michigan just roll your wheelchair down some stairs.
When you see a sign 'round here that says "bump ahead" you'd better put both hands on the wheel.
Posted by: Justin Buist on August 16, 2007 05:54 PMwelcome back, den. I must say, I'm jealous! travel is my passion too, and reading your entries has only served to deepen that wonderlust.
if you have plans to come to the u.k, you are most welcome. I owe you a beer - a reall beer, not larger which americans call beer.
Posted by: matthew g on August 20, 2007 03:24 PMmatthew - Thanks. Hope all is well and you are doing well in school. Yep! We Americans drink watered down beer. Our light beer is even worse. I probably drink one beer a week except when I attend blogmeets. The rest of the time I drink vodka and wine. Grappa, cognac, and lemoncello get in there as after dinner drinks.
Posted by: Denny on August 20, 2007 03:46 PM