Too much tech here lately, not enough pics....

Been taking the truck and the Four Wheel Camper on some nice trips lately. I like to get out off the beaten path and see what's over the hill. Hopefully the day concludes in a quiet, scenic campsite with a good fire and cold drink.

Thought I'd share some pics from around the western US of some favorite places and some random things I saw along the way. Apologies to the dial-up crew - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />


~ From last November; a 3 week, 3,700 mile trip through Utah to Vegas, over to Death Valley and up the California & Oregon coasts. Had Thanksgiving with the family near Portland and then back home through OR & Idaho.


Capitol Reef National Park, Utah -



Teardrop Arch, Capitol Reef NP, Utah -



Burr Trail, Capitol Reef NP, Utah -


Capitol Reef NP, Utah -



Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah -

Old school camper in southeast Utah -



Ho-Made Pies and a Land Rover Defender in SE Utah -



Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah -



Packed up & ready to roll -



Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada -



Hoover Dam -



Las Vegas -

We spent 4 days in Vegas for a business conference. Vegas is wonderful & over-the-top, in only the way that Vegas is. We did catch a James Taylor concert while we were there. Ladies dig JT.

After Vegas, we headed over to Death Valley for a couple of days. This was my 3rd trip to DV in the month of November, and I like it better and better each time I go. Death Valley in November is ideal....


Best burgers in the business -



The Old Spanish Trail in Death Valley National Park, California -



Death Valley NP, CA -



Death Valley NP, CA -



Teakettle Junction in Death Valley NP, CA -



Moving rocks at the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley NP, CA -



Doing my thing -

Great photos, Creeper. Thanks!

After Death Valley we headed due west for the coast and Cambria, CA.

Why Cambria? No idea, just seemed the shortest route to the coast and we only had 4 days to make the drive up to Portland for Thanksgiving. I didn't want to be late for the best free meal of the year. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I grew up in NC and spent all of my summers on the Outerbanks. But I've been living in CO & WY for the last 14 years. This would be my first time seeing any ocean in 8 years.

It was perfect. The Pacific Coast Highway 101 lives up to the hype. One of the best drives in America. We heard the elephant seals near San Simeon, drove through Big Sur and walked around the Hobbit houses in Carmel. We watched kite surfers dancing on the waves, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset and ate ice cream in Mendocino.

It was good to be by the sea again.


San Simeon, California -



Big Sur -



Leaving only footprints -



Pacific Coast Highway 101, California -



Kite surfing -



California coast -



The Golden Gate Bridge -



San Francisco at dusk -

We spent that night in Bodega Bay, although that sounded better than it was. Maybe we just missed the good stuff there....

I was hoping to try the USAL road down to the Lost Coast, but had been warned that it was late in the season and the road was nearly impassable. We were pressed for time anyway, so we regretfully passed the turn-off. Perhaps next time.

We made our way to the Oregon coast, a sentimental favorite of mine. The drive up among the numerous lighthouses, sand dunes, rocky shoreline and state parks is almost more than the senses can take. View after view after view.... it's amazing.

I had secretly arranged a special treat for us on the last evening of this stretch, before the family holiday and the drive back home. I figured any woman who would happily endure this type of trip for 3 weeks, deserved something special. It was a great finish to one of our best trips.


Bodega Bay, California -



Pacific Coast Highway, California -



Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast -



Seal hideout -



Land Rover series IIA (I think...) in Coos Bay, Oregon -



The special surprise.....



Last poser shot on Bear Lake, Idaho -



It was a wonderful trip through some beautiful country. The truck and camper performed flawlessly. From scenic trails in Utah and Death Valley, to the terrifying traffic on the Las Vegas strip and up the million curves on the west coast, this outfit proves again and again to be my ideal set up for long distances and remote travel.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Creeper -
Thanks, made for a very nice end of the weekend. Truly great pics from what must have been a great trip.

Dave

Awesome photos - thanks for sharing.

Amazing pictures - thanks for sharing.

Ok, I'll be the lone voice of dissent.... YOU SUCK.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Just kidding man... Green with envy. Those are some great looking shots, but it's always so much better in person. Lucky man...<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> Seeing your shots always gets me a little gumption to get out & get lost for a spell.

Yes, still lurking... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />