To the Arctic Ocean via the Dalton Road

[geovalue]

We finally have made it to Vegas and are camped on a large very large asphalt parking lot. So this is Vegas for overlanders!!

We have updated our blog from Texas and New Mexico. We have been without internet connection as we traveled the back roads across Arizona and into Nevada. Discovered some amazing places and had fun with the locals on the "historical route 66" (for a later blog)

Had a fun time with Doug and Stephanie Hackney in Austin sharing lots of travel stories, adventures, and challenges of long distance extended travel. Overlanding has lots of highs but it is not without its challenges.

Met with Scott and Stephanie Brady in Prescott who gave us excellent information and details for our route planning heading south. We are now anxious to begin our travels across Central and South America.

Fellow overlanders

An Overlanders Retreat

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/white-sands-and-caves-geological-wonders/

 

[targa88]

The Caverns are definitely on my "bucket list"...

 

[geovalue]

The Caverns are definitely on my "bucket list"...

Yes they are worth the trip we were so lucky that so few people were in the caverns, as the silence alone was wonderful. We are moving on having left Las Vegas our first and last time I am sure. Today we spent a wonderful day at the Red Rock National Park and had an opportunity to do some off roading it felt so good to be back in the wilderness. The sky above and the mountains embracing us, just the two of us back exploring the natural wonders of the world. Red Rock is another must see place.

Off roading in Red Rock Park

Some happy overlanders

Tomorrow we are heading into Death Valley California and are really looking forward to that

 

[VicHanson]

Hi Janet and Tom, you are getting near me. I am at Slab City, just east of Niland on California highway 111, by the Salton Sea. Lots of snowbirds here, including a group from Canada. Not much of an overlander spot, but there is a popular hot springs and the world famous "Salvation Mountain". It is out in the desert, no utilities but free parking for as long as you want!

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/waters/slabcity.htm

Vic

 

[geovalue]

Hi Janet and Tom, you are getting near me. I am at Slab City, just east of Niland on California highway 111, by the Salton Sea. Lots of snowbirds here, including a group from Canada. Not much of an overlander spot, but there is a popular hot springs and the world famous "Salvation Mountain". It is out in the desert, no utilities but free parking for as long as you want!

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/waters/slabcity.htm

Vic

Thanks we are now in Santa Barbara getting ready to enter into Mexico and head south. Insurances, getting maps etc.
We plan to head to Joshua Tree and will be passing through so will definitely be in contact if we are anywhere near Slab City.

We absolutely loved Death Valley and hope to be back one day to explore the entire area. Unfortunately we need to keep moving so could not do it justice.

Death Valley

Camping in Death Valley

Safe travels all

 

[geovalue]

We cleaned out the truck yesterday its first huge clean since leaving Calgary. The truck packing system is working really well and we are proud that we don't seem to have over or under packed. We have only what we need for 18 month of travel. It is always a big question what to take and what do you really need. Still have a few recovery gear stuff to buy before we head into Mexico. Our trip across the USA which we call our detour on the way south, was mainly to experience the America culture and learn about the history and meet people. But our days in the USA are now very numbered we will be leaving shortly and heading into Mexico.

We have updated our blog about Route 66 and heading across the Hoover Dam into Nevada and visiting Lake Mead.

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/life-on-route-66-across-arizona/

Route 66

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHyDaGt3Tc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHyDaGt3Tc[/ame]

 

[Bad Karma]

AWESOME!!! we took a pic of our Jeep late June at the EXACT same sign!!!
really enjoying your trip updates!

 

[geovalue]

AWESOME!!! we took a pic of our Jeep late June at the EXACT same sign!!!
really enjoying your trip updates!

"Great minds think a like and great overlanders travel a like" That is too funny

 

[geovalue]

We spent a few days with friends in Santa Barbara. We actually met them on a ferry and invited us to stay with them a few days so we took them up on their offer. It was wonderful to have a real bed again how soon we forget. But the urge to hit the road soon had us back on the road. We are now at Desert Hot Springs and tomorrow we will be heading into Joshua Tree.

We have updated our blog on Vegas to Death Valley. Did not like Vegas but loved Death Valley.

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/las-vegas-to-death-valley/

Could not get enough of Death Valley so am looking forward to exploring the desert around Joshua Tree.

Safe travels all

 

[targa88]

Janet & Tom,
I hope you will not be disappointed. JT is nothing compare to DV - IMHO....
I would keep visiting DV again and again.

 

[geovalue]

Well you were right about Joshua Tree being very different to Death Valley and yet we loved Joshua Tree especially the Western section. The Joshua trees are ridiculous looking not exactly pretty and look like they are still figuring out how they want to present themselves to the world. We drove the "geology route" which was very interesting. It is actually surprising how different the West and the East side of the park are from each other.

But look what we woke up to this morning. Morning light in Joshua Tree

Morning light

Joshua Tree

We will be saying "good bye" to the USA within a few days

Safe travels all

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Tom/Janet, by east side west of JT being different, are you referring to the Dale Mining area, then definitely so! Actually, the largest and most dense Joshua forest in the USA is in the NE corner of Mojave, very much larger and denser than JT. I too loved JT, very much different than DV. Just like Italian and French food neither is better, just different!

Stay in touch while in Baja, will be good to hear your version of how "dangerous" it really is compared to all the media hype.:costumed-smiley-007

 

[SnowZone]

But look what we woke up to this morning. Morning light in Joshua Tree

Morning light

Wow! I am more than a little jealous, but I look forward to your pictures after coming in from blowing out the driveway (again!).

Safe travels, and keep up the great updates.

 

[VicHanson]

Thanks for sharing the beautiful morning in JT! I'm down at Holtville now, east of El Centro, CA. Looks like a rainy couple of days!

 

[geovalue]

Yes it is raining in California and guess where we are at the moment.
We have updated our blog and bid the USA farewell. We are looking forward to exploring Mexico and hopefully to some sunny weather. Our plan is to travel down Baja before heading into mainland Mexico.
We loved our travels in the USA saw and learnt so much but the very best was the wonderful people we met along the way. We plan to be back again one day in the meantime we are off once again on the road.

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/farewell-usa-thanks-for-the-memories/

We have also put together a short video of Steps Across America. See how many locations you can identify.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hykLufSAJRw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hykLufSAJRw[/ame]

Safe travels all