Taking a road trip across the United States in 2020 is a lesson in patience and having the ability to roll with the punches. I began my trip in California and made it as far as Detroit Michigan. Other then two nights over a span of about 4 weeks that I spent in motels, I was car camping. I drive a vehicle in which the back seat can be lowered effectively creating a sleeping area. I always travel with a thick foam mattress and a pillow. This way I never have to worry about setting up a camp site – my campsite is wherever I part my vehicle.
Prior to my trip, I loaded up on food supplies – mainly cans, some fruits and other non perishables. I wanted to be as independent as possible and have all my food already accounted for.
Primarily I camped in rural locations far from urban areas – often finding myself among pine trees and or near streams in the western USA. Colorado was a highlight especially the drive from Durango to Ouray. This is one of the most spectacular drives in all of the United States. The road meanders between tall mountains, crosses high mountain passes, past alpine lakes and alpine lodges. And during this time, there were very few people around.
I had a general idea of my route, but with free solo trips like this – I left much of the details unplanned. In no hurry, I often stopped at anything that looked interesting. Other highlights included the Ice Cave in New Mexico, spending several days lounging around and floating in the Missouri River (depending on the source, the longest river in the United States), and visiting Arches National Park in Utah.
This was my third extended road trip in 2020. Now I need a bit of a break from travel to recover!
Do you have any road trips planned this year?
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