Solli’s All-American, Cross-Country, Rt. 66 Road Trip

[roadsol]

Thank you so much for posting the pictures. Those are great.

[gbslysol]

Whew! Incredible road trip!

[jimbo]

Awesome trip. We are so fortunate to be able have such adventures. What a memory for your son.

FWIW, to me, this pictures says it all. Just the freedom of life wandering under fair skies and it leaves the incredible beauty of all of the rest of it to your imagination...

LOVE IT! Thanks.

Originally Posted by solli4me

[jimbo]

Solli,

Had you ever been to Yosemite before? What did you think of it?

[solli4me]

This was my first trip out west ever and this drive just blew me away. The big sky, the hugest clouds I've ever seen, the widest vistas, 360 degree mountains, plains, sun, rain, I absolutely loved every inch of it.

On average, it took me 4 hours longer to get to any destination because I'd see something, then stop the car to take a picture or four.

We visited all the Yellowstone centers in one day so my son could qualify for the Junior Ranger program. We got to Mammoth Springs at 8pm and missed exploring since the sun was setting.


Yellowstone has a way of getting a hold on you. I needed to live there just to capture the changing light.

The magnitude of El Capitan is just mind boggling! I needed to spend more time in Yosemite to do the Wawona and Glacier area. I went through it on the way out to AZ. Most of my time was spent in the valley and driving theTioga Pass to the Mono Lake Basin which is just beautiful.

Same thing with the Oregon Coast, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Joshua Tree Park: I'm not emotionally finished exploring the areas which is a good indication that I'll be back out there for the next 20 years or so.

Rt 66 is a whole 'nother story. I'm a convert and will join the Federation. Something magical happens when you're on that two lane road, meandering through these little towns with their road dust neon signs. (Pics to follow) I met so many cool people who told me about their lives and how the interstate affected their towns. Just remarkable!

When I passed through Oklahoma, Rt 66 turned towards Rt 44. I actually felt lonely since it no longer kept me company and there was no place to visit. It was like saying goodby to an old friend.

[JMS-MES]

Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us. My sister-in-law moved to Missoula, MT and we're heading out there next summer with our 2 girls for two weeks. I've been trying to figure out everything that we should see. Thanks for giving me ideas.

Missy

[RODEO]

Originally Posted by solli4me We went to a rodeo Saturday night to watch the bronco buckaroos try to stay mounted for 8 seconds. Barrel races and lasso contests, too. It was lots of fun ‘specially when the clown threw out the peanut bags to the kids.

You know I'm loving this thread

your stops are like looking at my trip backwards. We've seen many of the same things.

Glad to hear you had so much fun, but then again, how could you not have

[solli4me]

I'm restricting myself 'cause I can't post the half of it.
I took over 1K digitals until I wore out the camera!

[solli4me]

Ellery Lake 9538 Elevation






A little bit of info about Tufa:
Typically, underwater springs rich in calcium mix with lake water rich in carbonates. As the calcium comes in contact with carbonates in the lake, a chemical reaction occurs resulting in calcium carbonate—limestone. The calcium carbonate settles as a solid around the spring, and over the course of decades to centuries, a tufa tower will grow. Tufa towers grow exclusively underwater, and some grow to heights of over 30 feet. The reason you see so much tufa around Mono Lake today is because the lake level fell dramatically after LA began to divert water from the lake in 1941.

[solli4me]

Caught a Condor flying...

[Solong]

Wow, great pics! What a wonderful trip. Glad to hear you're back safe and sound.

[solli4me]

Kingman, AZ



Flagstaff

[solli4me]

"I’m sitting on a corner in Winslow Arizona
And what a fine sight to see
It’s a silver Sol on a road trip roll
They’re slowing down to take a look at me…"




Red & White Highway Diner

[solli4me]

[Grammie 4 VT]

I just keep coming back to this thread! What great pictures! I just can't decide which one I like the best....they are all awesome!