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(Website last updated 9/7/07, 11:30pm, EST)

 

Badlands National Park,

Interior, South Dakota

Our once-in-a-lifetime cross-country road trip began on April 14, 2007 and lasted through August 28, 2007.  Posted on the web pages are our writings and pictures of the sites, people, and events we encountered along the way.   Thanks to everyone (including those wonderful strangers-turned-friends we met along the way) for your support, encouragement, and enthusiasm.  We look forward to our next once-in-a-lifetime trip.  Until then...

~0o~Jonathan and Elena~o0~

9/7/07

Sunrise

Chicago, Illinois

 

Crater Lake National Park,

Crater Lake, Oregon

 

After an over two-week hiatus from updating the website, we've finally been able to do so today from Seattle, Washington.  We've seen so many great places since the last update, like giant redwood trees and gigantic lakes in crater bowls, as well as dark, dank caves and tall, snowcapped mountains.  We haven't always had time to update our website or had an internet connection to do so, but we're still going strong on our trip as we now begin our quest from the west back to the east.

~Jonathan and Elena

8/19/07

 

Crater Lake National Park,

Crater Lake, Oregon

 

Grand Canyon, North Rim

Arizona

After finishing our week long "service" with the Lutherans and Navajos in New Mexico, we landed ourselves at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the perfect place to celebrate our engagement!  We had no phone service, no internet connection, and no showers, but everything we needed nonetheless.  Heading north to some of Utah's natural wonders, we'll then continue westward.  Happy Fourth of July!

~Jonathan and Elena

7/23/07

Grand Canyon, North Rim

Arizona

 

Taos Pueblo,

Taos, NM

Now heading southwest on our journey through southern Colorado and New Mexico, eventually heading to Arizona and Utah, we continue  zig-zagging our way through this beautiful country.  And still loving every minute of it (except when we're camping and it's raining and it's windy and it's chilly - but even then, we still kinda love it!).

~Jonathan and Elena

6/25/07

Taos Pueblo,

Taos, NM

 

Hi everyone.  We expect to be leaving on our trip on Monday, April 16th.  So if you're bored or curious or just plain interested in what we're doing, where we're going, and who we're meeting, come back and check us out later.

~Jonathan and Elena

3/26/07

 

 

WEEK # DAY # DATE
(2007)		 DAY DAILY
MINIVAN
MILES		 TOTAL
MINIVAN
MILES		 CITY, STATE
(of overnight stay)		 PLACES/SIGHTS VISITED/SEEN
Week 1 Day 1 4/16 Mon 415.8 415.8 Baltimore, MD travel day
Day 2 4/17 Tue 251.1 666.9 Elkins, WV travel day
Day 3 4/18 Wed 76.2 743.1 Elkins, WV Seneca Rocks
Day 4 4/19 Thu 221.6 964.7 Harrisonburg, VA Skyline Drive
Day 5 4/20 Fri 242.4 1,207.1 Hillsville, VA Blue Ridge Parkway
Day 6 4/21 Sat 270.3 1,477.4 Waynesville, NC travel day, Osondu Bookstore (tea tasting)
Day 7 4/22 Sun 121.0 1,598.4 Waynesville, NC Great Smoky Mountains (Clingmans Dome, Chimney Tops)
Week 2 Day 8 4/23 Mon 256.2 1,854.6 Columbia, SC travel day, Dry Falls, Bridal Falls
Day 9 4/24 Tue 201.7 2,056.3 Savannah, GA travel day, walking tour of Savannah, The Lady & Sons
Day 10 4/25 Wed 67.3 2,123.6 Savannah, GA downtown Savannah, dinner with Erin A.
Day 11 4/26 Thu 292.7 2,416.3 Kissimmee, FL travel day
Day 12 4/27 Fri 238.7 2,655.0 Sunny Isle, FL travel day
Day 13 4/28 Sat 0.0 2,655.0 Sunny Isle, FL beach, David & Erica's wedding in Coconut Grove, FL
Day 14 4/29 Sun 236.1 2,891.1 Orlando, FL travel day
Week 3 Day 15 4/30 Mon 449.8 3,340.9 DeFuniak Springs, FL travel day
Day 16 5/1 Tue 110.4 3,451.3 Pensacola, FL Big Lagoon State Park camping, Blue Angels
Day 17 5/2 Wed 67.9 3,519.2 Pensacola, FL camping, small beach site, Flounder's restaurant
Day 18 5/3 Thu 244.1 3,763.3 Magee, MS travel day
Day 19 5/4 Fri 354.0 4,117.3 Oakland, TN travel day, Beale Street Music Festival (day 1)
Day 20 5/5 Sat 93.1 4,210.4 Oakland, TN Graceland, Beale Street Music Festival (day 2)
Day 21 5/6 Sun 75.5 4,285.9 Oakland, TN Beale Street Music Festival (day 3)
Week 4 Day 22 5/7 Mon 328.6 4,614.5 Alma, AR travel day
Day 23 5/8 Tue 10.6 4,625.1 Alma, AR KOA camping
Day 24 5/9 Wed 216.1 4,841.2 Alma, AR Eureka Springs, train ride, camping
Day 25 5/10 Thu 64.7 4,905.9 Alma, AR camping, library, drive to White Rock Mountain, Shores Lake
Day 26 5/11 Fri 321.1 5,227.0 Wichita, KS travel day, movies at The Warren ("Fracture")
Day 27 5/12 Sat 55.9 5,282.9 Wichita, KS Great Plains Preserve, Wyldewood Cellar Winery, movies at The Warren ("Disturbia")
Day 28 5/13 Sun 295.6 5,578.5 Wichita, KS drive along scenic byway (Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge)
Week 5 Day 29 5/14 Mon 233.6 5,812.1 Wichita, KS Volunteering in Greensburg
Day 30 5/15 Tue 28.4 5,840.5 Wichita, KS movies at The Warren ("The Invisible"), Great Plains Preserve, video ("The Queen")
Day 31 5/16 Wed 235.7 6,076.2 Wichita, KS Volunteering in Greensburg
Day 32 5/17 Thu 231.8 6,308.0 Wichita, KS Volunteering in Greensburg
Day 33 5/18 Fri 523.0 6,831.0 Denver, CO travel day, dinner at Chedd's (gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches)
Day 34 5/19 Sat 0.0 6,831.0 Denver, CO Rocky Mountains, Bear Lake, Dolcetta's
Day 35 5/20 Sun 0.0 6,831.0 Denver, CO white water rafting in Idaho Springs
Week 6 Day 36 5/21 Mon 0.0 6,831.0 Denver, CO chillin' out, video ("Blood Diamond")
Day 37 5/22 Tue 12.8 6,843.8 Denver, CO Washington Park, video ("Fast Food Nation")
Day 38 5/23 Wed 17.6 6,861.4 Denver, CO Washington Park, movies ("Spider-man III")
Day 39 5/24 Thu 182.8 7,044.2 Denver, CO Pike's Peak Mountain [14,110 feet] (near Colorado Springs), video ("Little Children")
Day 40 5/25 Fri 18.6 7,062.8 Denver, CO Cherry Creek mall, Washington Park
Day 41 5/26 Sat 0.0 7,062.8 Denver, CO Teen Creek Fest, Boulder Falls
Day 42 5/27 Sun 24.2 7,087.0 Denver, CO movie ("Jindabyne")
Week 7 Day 43 5/28 Mon 34.5 7,121.5 Denver, CO Cherry Creek State Park
Day 44 5/29 Tue 30.5 7,152.0 Denver, CO Washington Park (rollerblading)
Day 45 5/30 Wed 58.2 7,210.2 Denver, CO Barr Lake State Park, video ("Freedom Writers")
Day 46 5/31 Thu 12.4 7,222.6 Denver, CO Cheesman Park, movie ("Paris Je T'aime")
Day 47 6/1 Fri 153.2 7,375.8 Denver, CO Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Old Colorado Springs, movie ("Knocked Up")
Day 48 6/2 Sat 0 7,375.8 Denver, CO The Denver Zoo, video ("Trust the Man")
Day 49 6/3 Sun 11.9 7,387.7 Denver, CO Capitol Hill People's Fair in Downtown Denver
Week 8 Day 50 6/4 Mon 257.9 7,645.6 Monte Vista, CO travel day
Day 51 6/5 Tue 56.4 7,702.0 Alamosa, CO volunteering at La Puente (Rethreads)
Day 52 6/6 Wed 9.7 7,711.7 Alamosa, CO volunteering at La Puente (Rethreads), dinner at La Puente Homeless Shelter
Day 53 6/7 Thu 82.2 7,793.9 Alamosa, CO Zapata Falls, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, LuLu Benefit Concert
Day 54 6/8 Fri 106.3 7,900.2 Alamosa, CO Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Day 55 6/9 Sat 111.6 8,011.8 Taos, NM Rio Grand Gorge Bridge, camping at Taos Valley RV Park & Campground
Day 56 6/10 Sun 131.1 8,142.9 Taos, NM Church of St. Francis of Assisi, scenic drive: Enchanted Circle, artist Laurie Hill Phelps
Week 9 Day 57 6/11 Mon 25.9 8,168.8 Taos, NM Taos Pueblo, Taos Plaza, Michael Hearne (singer/songwriter) at the Old Blinking Light
Day 58 6/12 Tue 49.2 8,218.0 Taos, NM Taos Ski Valley drive, Arroyo Seco, dinner with Jim and Kristi at Taos Pizza Outback
Day 59 6/13 Wed 99.8 8,317.8 Santa Fe, NM travel day, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs
Day 60 6/14 Thu 7.0 8,324.8 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Plaza, Museum of Fine Arts
Day 61 6/15 Fri 28.0 8,352.8 Santa Fe, NM Hyde Memorial State Park, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Cross of the Martyrs
Day 62 6/16 Sat 48.5 8,401.3 Santa Fe, NM KOA camping, Arts & Crafts Festival @ the Plaza, Palace of the Governors
Day 63 6/17 Sun 40.1 8,441.4 Santa Fe, NM Museum of Int'l Folk Art, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, dinner @ Maria's
Week 10 Day 64 6/18 Mon 266.7 8,708.1 Mesa Verde, CO travel day, camping
Day 65 6/19 Tue 0.0 8,708.1 Mesa Verde, CO camping, Mesa Verde National Park (Balcony House)
Day 66 6/20 Wed 82.0 8,790.1 Mesa Verde, CO Mesa Verde National Park (Spruce Tree House and Trail)
Day 67 6/21 Thu 0.0 8,790.1 Mesa Verde, CO Cortez Cultural Center: Navajo Code Talker, Native American Powwow dancing
Day 68 6/22 Fri 157.7 8,947.8 Chinle, AZ Four Corners, travel to Chinle, AZ, camping Cottonwood Campgrounds
Day 69 6/23 Sat 121.1 9,068.9 Gallup, NM hiking in Canyon De Chelly to White House ruins, travel to Gallup, NM
Day 70 6/24 Sun 17.2 9,086.1 Gallup, NM church service at Tohlakai, barbeque, afternoon rest
Week 11 Day 71 6/25 Mon 0.0 9,086.1 Gallup, NM put up "circus" tent at Tohlakai, priming Helen's trailer, VBS, tent meeting
Day 72 6/26 Tue 32.9 9,119.0 Gallup, NM finish priming Helen's trailer, tearing down Helen's old porch, VBS, tent meeting
Day 73 6/27 Wed 79.5 9,198.5 Gallup, NM installing cabinets in home at Church Rock, afternoon off ("shopping"), VBS, tent meeting
Day 74 6/28 Thu 2.0 9,200.5 Gallup, NM shingling Emmiline's roof, short hike with Pearl and co., painting Helen's trailer
Day 75 6/29 Fri 84.3 9,284.8 Gallup, NM hanging with Emmiline, help install metal skirting on Helen's trailer, VBS, engagement, goodbyes
Day 76 6/30 Sat 326.6 9,611.4 Grand Canyon (N. Rim), AZ travel day to Grand Canyon North Rim, Navajo Bridge, De Motte ("dry") campground
Day 77 7/1 Sun 60.6 9,672.0 Grand Canyon (N. Rim), AZ Grand Canyon: Bright Angel Fault, condor talk, Point Imperial, photo walk
Week 12 Day 78 7/2 Mon 83.5 9,755.5 Grand Canyon (N. Rim), AZ Scenic drive/overlooks to Cape Royal area
Day 79 7/3 Tue 183.7 9,939.2 Glendale, UT hiking North Kaibab Trail into canyon, travel day, Fredonia post office, KOA camping in Utah
Day 80 7/4 Wed 62.8 10,002.0 Glendale, UT day of rest and relaxation at the KOA campground; dinner at the Thunderbird
Day 81 7/5 Thu 105.4 10,107.4 Glendale, UT Cedar City (Wal-Mart & EM haircut!), budget review
Day 82 7/6 Fri 147.0 10,254.4 Glendale, UT sunrise at Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon, scenic drive to Rainbow Point
Day 83 7/7 Sat 112.2 10,366.6 Glendale, UT Cedar Breaks National Monument
Day 84 7/8 Sun 69.2 10,435.8 Glendale, UT relaxing in campsite, dinner at Panguich (Grandma Tina's)
Week 13 Day 85 7/9 Mon 96.8 10,532.6 Glendale, UT Bryce Canyon under-the-rim hike (Sunset Point to Sunrise Point)
Day 86 7/10 Tue 120.4 10,653.0 Springdale, UT travel day to Zion National Park
Day 87 7/11 Wed 3.7 10,656.7 Springdale, UT shuttle tour, bike ride on Pa'rus trail, swimming in Virgin River
Day 88 7/12 Thu 11.7 10,668.4 Springdale, UT horseback ride through canyon
Day 89 7/13 Fri 156.6 10,825.0 Las Vegas, NV travel day to Las Vegas
Day 90 7/14 Sat 167.7 10,992.7 Las Vegas, NV Hoover Dam, Lake Mead
Day 91 7/15 Sun 44.9 11,037.6 Las Vegas, NV movie ("Harry Potter"), dinner with John and Katherine, Hard Rock Casino
Week 14 Day 92 7/16 Mon 248.1 11,285.7 Pomona, CA travel day to KOA campground in Pomona, CA
Day 93 7/17 Tue 103.7 11,389.4 Pomona, CA "Grand Tour of Los Angeles," Santa Monica Beach/Pier
Day 94 7/18 Wed 371.4 11,760.8 San Jose, CA travel day to San Jose to see and stay with cousin Matthew
Day 95 7/19 Thu 0.0 11,760.8 San Jose, CA San Francisco with Matthew, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli's Chocolate
Day 96 7/20 Fri 47.3 11,808.1 San Jose, CA relaxing in San Jose
Day 97 7/21 Sat 143.1 11,951.2 San Jose, CA Monterey Beach, gypsy artist on Fisherman's Wharf
Day 98 7/22 Sun 84.1 12,035.3 San Jose, CA drive to Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Week 15 Day 99 7/23 Mon 236.9 12,272.2 Napa, CA lunch with Dean and Katina, camping at Lake Berryessa in Napa, CA
Day 100 7/24 Tue 170.5 12,442.7 Santa Rosa, CA visit 2 wineries (Sterling and V. Sattui), Muir Woods (redwoods!), Stinson Beach, Wal-Mart "camping"
Day 101 7/25 Wed 360.2 12,802.9 Crescent City, CA travel day along Pacific coast (US-1 North), enter Redwood National Park, camping at KOA
Day 102 7/26 Thu 101.5 12,904.4 Crescent City, CA Lady Bird Johnson Grove (redwoods), "Big Tree" in Prairie Creek State Park, Tour-Thru Tree
Day 103 7/27 Fri 28.6 12,933.0 Crescent City, CA trail walk in Stout Grove (redwoods), Hiouchi Trail, swimming in Smith River
Day 104 7/28 Sat 182.4 13,115.4 Crater Lake, OR travel day to Crater Lake, smoothies at Coffee Heaven (Cave Junction), camping at Mazama Village
Day 105 7/29 Sun 63.9 13,179.3 Crater Lake, OR Castle Crest Trail, Vidae Falls, Sun Notch Trail, biking on Pinnacles Trail, sunset/moonrise (full) on Watchman's Peak
Week 16 Day 106 7/30 Mon 47.5 13,226.8 Crater Lake, OR Rim Drive West, Rim Village, Cleetwood Cove Trail, "cliff" jumping into lake, Cloudcap Overlook, Phantom Ship OL
Day 107 7/31 Tue 409.3 13,636.1 Salem, OR Rogue River Gorge, Oregon Caves (half), travel day, overnight in Salem
Day 108 8/1 Wed 177.2 13,813.3 Warrenton, OR Tillamook Cheese Factory, Oregon Coast scenic drive, overnight camping in Fort Stevens State Park
Day 109 8/2 Thu 228.6 14,041.9 Kenmore/Seattle, WA lunch in Astoria, travel day to Seattle, evening with Marci, Loni, and Tracy
Day 110 8/3 Fri 2.6 14,044.5 Kenmore/Seattle, WA lunch at Kidd Valley, bike ride on Sammamish Trail, family dinner with Marci, Loni, Tracy and the rest…
Day 111 8/4 Sat 6.5 14,051.0 Kenmore/Seattle, WA wedding stuff and errands, Jamba Juice!
Day 112 8/5 Sun 0.0 14,051.0 Kenmore/Seattle, WA hiking Mt. Rainier National Park
Week 17 Day 113 8/6 Mon 0.0 14,051.0 Kenmore/Seattle, WA relaxing day with Marci, visit from Marci's brother, Lon and family
Day 114 8/7 Tue 26.7 14,077.7 Kenmore/Seattle, WA oil change and check-up, downtown Seattle with Marci, Pikes Place Fish Market, dinner/dessert at Bob and Tracy's
Day 115 8/8 Wed 15.8 14,093.5 Kenmore/Seattle, WA updating website
Day 116 8/9 Thu 389.5 14,483.0 Wallace, ID travel day, dinner at Bardenay in Coeur d'Alene
Day 117 8/10 Fri 277.2 14,760.2 St. Mary, MT travel day, arrive at Glacier National Park, camping at KOA
Day 118 8/11 Sat 100.6 14,860.8 St. Mary, MT 50-mile scenic drive through Glacier National Park, canoeing in Lake McDonald, bear sighting!
Day 119 8/12 Sun 504.0 15,364.8 West Yellowstone, MT travel day to Yellowstone National Park, see Montana fires from highway
Week 18 Day 120 8/13 Mon 78.0 15,442.8 West Yellowstone, MT Yellowstone National Park: geysers, fumaroles, hot springs, and mudpots; elk; Old Faithful
Day 121 8/14 Tue 136.9 15,579.7 West Yellowstone, MT Yellowstone National Park: eagle, coyote, elk, and buffalo, drive around southern loop, Kepler Cascades (falls)
Day 122 8/15 Wed 96.7 15,676.4 Moran, WY travel to Great Teton National Park, camping in Colter Bay Village (within the park)
Day 123 8/16 Thu 60.0 15,736.4 Moran, WY ranger-led hike around Swan Lake, lunch at String Lake, Oxbow Bend Overlook of Mt. Moran, lightening/rain storm
Day 124 8/17 Fri 57.4 15,793.8 Moran, WY rained out in Grand Teton N.P.
Day 125 8/18 Sat 509.1 16,302.9 Custer, SD travel day to Custer, SD (half-hour south of Mt. Rushmore)
Day 126 8/19 Sun 56.7 16,359.6 Custer, SD Mt. Rushmore, scenic drive through Black Hills
Week 19 Day 127 8/20 Mon 136.8 16,496.4 Interior, SD travel day to Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, camping in park (Cedar Pass Campground)
Day 128 8/21 Tue 107.8 16,604.2 Interior, SD Badlands National Park
Day 129 8/22 Wed 563.9 17,168.1 Clive/West Des Moines, IA travel day to Clive/West Des Moines, IA, Corn Palace, Nichols Family
Day 130 8/23 Thu 28.3 17,196.4 Clive/West Des Moines, IA lunch at Lucca's in the East Village with Mary, dinner with the Nichols
Day 131 8/24 Fri 23.6 17,220.0 Clive/West Des Moines, IA day with Wayne: tour of Lutheran Church of Hope w/Pastor Pat, Freedom for Youth/lunch @ Palmer's w/Lynn, State Capitol (met State Senator Staci Appel), Sticks furniture store, Gong Fu tea house, dinner with Dina at Cool Basil
Day 132 8/25 Sat 25.3 17,245.3 Clive/West Des Moines, IA Dallas Center Fall Festival, dinner/group with Nichols and friends
Day 133 8/26 Sun 0.0 17,245.3 Clive/West Des Moines, IA 11am services at L. C. of H., sweet corn lunch, pool with Ed, Mary, and Josh, Mission Navajo reunion
Week 20 Day 134 8/27 Mon 355.1 17,600.4 Chicago, IL travel day to Chicago, dinner with Samantha and Michael
Day 135 8/28 Tue 930.9 18,531.3 Mansfield Center, CT travel day back to Connecticut (17-hours, including time change), end of the trip (for now...)

 

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