From the Mid-West to the Mountains!

[SDTacoman]

Hello everyone,

A couple years ago I read an inspiring trip report on here about one mans trip across the western US in a Chevy Astro Van (I'll have to do some searching to give credit). Ever since I read his report I have been lusting for my own such adventure.

Here I am two and a half years and a relatively trying relationship situation later and I'm now in a position to oust most of my belongings from my life and pack what is left into the back of my rig and head west.

Here is a picture of Me (my name is Sam, I'm on the Left):

My "adopted" Uncle Randy is on the right of me; Him and my "adopted" Aunt Janna have been housing me and guiding me through my tough situation while I get my rig ready to go and get my affairs in order here at the old place of living.

Speaking of getting my rig ready here's a picture of that for anyone who is interested:

It's a 2000 Chevy Blazer. I bought it with intension of fixing it to sell (it had a blown head gasket), but now that I've got it fixed I'm thinking it should make an alright expedition rig.

My travels likely won't begin for another week or so, but I'll keep this updated with some of the projects I have going on in the meanwhile. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to voice them, I'd love some feedback!


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[Stoked]

Looking forward to your story. I'm in a similar situation and I wish I had the opportunity to do what you are doing.

 

[JJS2]

Subscribed. Happy Trails!

 

[SDTacoman]

Stoked: thank you, and Sorry to hear about your similar situation. I hope everything works out for you

JJS2: thank you!

So far the only thing I've got is a picture from a nearby hike I went on up to Seth Bullok Look Out in Black Hills National Forest:

Other then that I'm just trying to get a few issues sorted out with my rig before I take off.

My First stop will be Sioux Falls, SD (East I know) to see my family and friends before I head west. I'll try to keep things updated, but it might be a little bit till things really take off.


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[Toyo4Runner]

Nice looking Blazer you got there. Enjoy the trip!

 

[SDTacoman]

Toyo4Runner: Thank you!

Well saying my good byes to everyone in Sioux Falls took a bit longer than I expected, but it was certainly worth while to see as many current and old friends as I could before I begin my trek.

There's not a lot too see in Sioux Falls (this coming from someone who has lived there his whole life, so your opinion may differ) but I did take a picture of the Missouri River where I-90 crosses it between Oacoma and Chamberlain, SD

I also got a picture of the drawer system that doubles as a sleeping platform that my good friend Randy-son built for me with help from a friend of his - Richard (they are both wood workers by trade and had this zipped out in about an hour and a half; thank you guys!):

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[ericvs]

Great looking rig! Did you do the bedliner fenders and rocker yourself? what product was it? Looks really good.

Looking forward to following your progress. Good luck on your travels, many pictures make Expo members happy!

 

[SDTacoman]

Ericvs: Thanks! Yup I did that myself; I believe it was Herculiner. It was supposingly easy to put on, but I've only had it on a couple months. It's held up quite well though! I will do my best on the pictures, it should help once I have some nice mountains to take pictures of!


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[SDTacoman]

Well today I took off around 10:30 and I've been fighting a worsening cold ever since Saturday, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

I took off from Hill City SD and headed South West for Wyoming. I will miss the Black Hills and I am thankful to have had such a beautiful place as my home. I'm sure I will find my way back here to at least visit in the future

After a few hours I got my first sign of mountains as I approached I25 on HYW 26; What I believe to be Laramie Peak at 10,278 ft

My trip continued South bound and I found myself right on schedule to hit Denver, CO at rush hour. My parents have spent some time in this area so I called upon them for some expertise. At my their advice I shot West towards Lyons and took HYW 72 south through Roosevelt Nat'l forest. I ended up at a place Called Brainerd Lake Recreation Area but found it to be closed at the top. It still was a great place to cook up some dinner and enjoy a view from though!

A couple of these little guys watched me eat my makeshift meal

I'm now parked in a pull-out on the side of the road somewhere between Ward and Nederland, CO

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[SDTacoman]

Yesterday I hit the road by 4 in the morning as I was too excited to get back to sleep. I ended up driving through Roosevelt National Forest almost entirely in the dark but I managed to snap a couple pictures of the sunrise as I was leaving

Once I hit I70 it wasn't too far to Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel

It became very apparent that taking off early was worth it when I got to the Frisco Area at sunrise and got an excellent view of the sun hitting some snow caps in the distance

Then I hopped on HYW 133 south and headed for Purgatory Ski Resort to meet up with a couple of friends who live here.

Along HYW 133

Hays Creek Falls

I ended up dealing with some Blazer issues in Montrose,CO and didn't get headed out till later than I anticipated.

Just North of Ouray, CO. It got a lot prettier on the the south, but too treacherous to get pictures. HYW 550 south of Ouray is probably my favorite stretch of road I've been on so far.

Finally after quite a day I arrived at my friends' apartment in Purgatory Ski Resort.

The view from their porch (This is the Needles Range)

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[smoov55]

Nice stuff!

 

[SDTacoman]

Smoov55: Thanks Dad!

Well yesterday I went to work with my buddy Stephen that I've been staying with and we spent the morning sanding Fiberglass patches and picking up trash around the Alpine Slide here to this view

Later on me and Stephen's Wife Leigh helped him load firewood at each of the Resort's condos

One of the condos had a pretty sweet waterfall right next to it so I took the opportunity for a photoshoot

I woke up this morning to a storm rolling over the Needles Range

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[smoov55]

Very nice! Dad

 

[SDTacoman]

Yesterday involved a lot of driving. Even though I have no time constraints I still find myself rushing from place to place, I guess I just haven't quite got used to the freedom yet.

I took off from Purgatory yesterday and headed down through Durango where I caught a sign with some advice we all need once and a while

I soon found myself enjoying the views at Mesa Verde National Park

I ended up taking the scenic route through Hovenweep National Monument which contains many ancient ruins from ancestors of the Puebloan people.

Painted Hand

Some pictures of other Hovenweep ruins

Then I ended up at Natural Bridges National Monument
Sipapu Bridge

Kachina Bridge

Owachomo Bridge

My last major stop of the day was Capitol Reef National Park

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[SDTacoman]

Today I woke up on the side of the road and started making breakfast to this view

Somewhere east of Tonopa I happened upon this field of orange flowers and I had to snap a picture in tribute to my Grandma Jiji who's favorite color was orange

As I approached the Nevada-California Border got this view of Boundary Peak, the highest point in Nevada at 13140 feet

Now I'm in Bishop,CA trying to decide where to go next. I'm open to suggestions!


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