Camping totally off the Map

Down this "Road" was the cavern area where I camped. This amazing place was out past Goblin State Park, UT. Goblin State Park is about 30 miles from the interstate.

The first night I camped here I just left my car on the dirt road and walked in to pitch my tent. But there were cars and trucks driving down the main dirt road so I decided to be brave and drive Mac on off the main road the next day. I should be in an ad for Mercedes! The 1982 Mercedes as an off road vehicle.

I loved this spot. It felt like the desert sort of. There are these huge clay formations that look like goblins. It was kind of like the real world version of the movie the Labyrinth. I hiked all around yesterday. Silvi and I followed the dry creek beds. I figured that was the safest way not to get lost.

I asked around today and found out I was Bureau of Land Management space. I talked to a local man. He said "that it's our land use it." I love when people say that. I've heard locals across the west use those exact words. It warms my heart!

Arches National Park

Arches National Park was a beautiful and scenic drive. People have given the rock formations all kinds of funny names, like "Sheep's Head Broken Arch". I think the geologist may have spent too much time in the desert sun.

I went into the visitor center to ask about local Bureau of Land Management Land and National Forest Land. The women I talked to was a trip. I don't think she liked me very much. But the feeling was mutual! Ha, Ha. She got her back up very quickly that I was looking for a place to just put my tent for free. She told me I'd need a National Forest approved toilet to take both my pee and poop out with me. I wish I had a picture of my face when she said that. Is this lady for real??

I always practice low impact camping. I don't make fires and bring all my trash out with me. But I do go to the bathroom where I camp. I bury "it" 6" deep like you're supposed to. But I'm not about to carry that out!

The funny thing is that the National Parks are filled with cars, SUV's, and trucks pulling huge trailers. How about all those fossil fumes park ranger lady?

World Capital of Melons

I happened into Green River, Utah totally by accident. It is just a stop off the interstate with a few chain motels. But it is apparently the capital of melons. There were 6 melon stands in this tiny town. I stopped and bought a few melons and some squash. The watermelon was perfectly ripe. It just split in two when I put my knife into it. Silvi and I had it for lunch in the shade at Arches National Park.












This is the main street. And this restaurant is it. I had dinner here on Saturday night. It was crazy busy. There was an air show and festival happening this past weekend 110 miles away. That's right there are so few hotel/motels out here that every motel was filled for 330 miles!

Hawaii, New ideas!

I've got a new idea! I'm going to fly to Hawaii from CA! I have a plane voucher that I need to use and it just about covers the flight. Flying to Hawaii from CA is almost $1,000 cheaper than flying from Philadelphia!

I'm going to board Silvi in Ca. and fly to Hawaii for about a week. I will do back country hiking and camping through the park. It's free so I'll just have to pay for food and public transportation to get to the park.

Anyone want to come??? Check out these pictures!

Red Rocks Amphitheater, CO

This would be a great place to see music. I didn't go in and walk around though. It was hot, really hot! I was in jeans and Silvi's seemed like she needed to cool down. After selling water at the amphitheater in Camden, NJ I think I'd make a killing working here!












This is the view looking down from the amphitheater.

Rocky Mountain National Park

This church was built into the rocks outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. I just pulled over and watched it's beauty change as the morning sun came up. I'd love to know it's history.













I went to Rocky Mountain N.P. I drove in but ended up camping in the National Forest. I met a German guy. He was taking 3 of his 6 weeks vacation to drive around the states exploring national parks and camping. He had been everywhere in the States. It sounded like he'd been traveling the states on his vacations for years. Maybe I need to move to Europe. I can't get over that they get 6 weeks of vacation there. That's a lot of time to travel! And they have free health care! But I think I'd miss Philly.

After being away from Philly for just about a month there's certain things I miss. I miss biking, friends, and family. I want to walk into a bar and say I'd like a lager AND get a Yuengling! I miss all the common things that bind people that live in the same area. I saw a PA plate. Yes, I've only seen one in 3 weeks. I almost went up to talk to the people!

Boulder, Co

Arches Hike 15mins away from where I stayed in Boulder. We had no idea this was at the top of the trail! Thanks Robby for taking me up here.




















I was lucky enough to get a personal tour of Boulder, Co. and a real bed! A big thanks to Razz and Robby for putting Silvi and I up. I got to hike, be in a city and ride Razz's motorcycle. Now that's a good couple of days in my book.

Boulder was warm! It was great to drive from the cold. I went from wearing all my winter clothes, 2 pairs of long underwear, winter jacket, etc to jeans and a tank top.

I really liked Boulder. There are bike lanes everywhere. It made me miss my bike. It had the best Whole Foods grocery store I've ever been in.

Boulder has miles of hiking trails minutes away from the city. I found myself looking at the help wanted signs posted in restaurants around town. That was my cue to get out of Boulder. I've only been traveling for a month. There's a world of breathtaking sights ahead that I have to explore. I feel driven and inspired to see as much as possible.

Truck stop showers!

I took my 1st trucker shower on Tuesday, 9/23. It had been a while since I'd had a real shower. I was headed towards Boulder, Co. to stay with a good friend's friend. I just didn't think it was fair to arrive in the state that I was in.

I went to an Autopilot and asked how much the shower was. $10, I was floored. I stood there dirty wondering it was worth it. Should I just hope the guys I were going to stay with in Boulder could handle a seriously dirty girl on there doorstep? Well I think I looked like I needed a shower because a trucker in line at the register offered me one of his shower passes.

Wow, that was the best shower of my life. Maybe everyone should camp for a week plus and get really dirty just to know how good a shower can feel!

Cow's or Bears??

This road didn't even seem like a road at 11pm at night!












The campgrounds, what a morning view!














Silvi enjoying her freedom from the leash!

I left Yellowstone and headed south towards Boulder. Apparently Yellowstone and the Tentons used up most of Wyoming's parks space. I had to drive much further than I expected to find camping. I finally found a state park but it was 33 miles off the highway. It was 11pm at night and pitch dark. I don't have a working odometer so it can be really hard to judge distance on back roads.

I drove for about 30mins down a tiny dark road and saw a sign for a recreation area camping space. I figured I would stop there instead of pushing further into the unknown to find the state park. I turned onto another dirt road and saw a sign that said open range. Dead ahead of the car where eye balls and 3 big black animals. I sat there for a couple of minutes trying to decide if I was looking at harmless cows or 3 black bears. I couldn't make up my mind so I backed up the car and headed onward to the state park.

The road to the state park went through huge boulders and winding roads with guard rails. Needless to say I drove slowly. I finally found the state park down more dirt roads. I drove in to the deserted camping area around 12am. Here's the funny park the place was so wide open and dark that I got freaked out and ended up sleeping in the car. I did get to star watch. Looking up at the sky made me feel dizzy. The sky was huge and filled with stars!

It was all worth it because I woke up to a fabulous sunrise and an awesome campground totally void of people. If I had just slept in the car off the highway I would have just woken up to trucks. I let Silvi run around as we hiked around. She had a great time.

Big Saturday Night!

On Saturday night in Gardiner, Mt I decided it was time to have a "real" meal and a beer. I walked around this cool little town outside of Yellowstone with Silvi looking for a place to go. Guess what I found? $1 drafts of Pabst Blue Ribbon at a cool little place on main street.

I had a buffalo burger, a PBR and some fresh peach pie with ice cream. Can't even express how good that meal tasted after 2 weeks of almost nothing but camping food.

I met the owner of the Town Cafe. He said PBR is big with the snow boarding crowd. He recommended the pie and boy was he right! It was good.

All I needed was a shot of crappy whiskey and I would have been back in Philly. Although I must saw PBR is much tastier on tap than in the can! I should have suggested to the owner that he start his own city wide special in Montana!

Grand Tetons at Sunset

I left Yellowstone the traffic, and all the people yesterday. As soon as I was out of the park the Grand Tetons appeared!

I was going to camp in the Grand Tetons and explore them but it got really cold. It has been warm during the day and then 25 - 40 degrees at night. But yesterday it was just cold all day and I wanted to start heading south. There was already snow in the Tetons and I just don't have the camping gear to camp in snow. Plus Silvi has no hair! I put her coat on at night and then cover her in a couple of blankets just to keep her from shivering.

I love Montana and Wyoming. I especially like Wyoming because every hole in the wall town has a sign telling you the town's elevation and population. A lot of these towns have a population of 10 or 15! No that's a small town.

Rainbow in Yellowstone

This was the biggest rainbow I've ever seen. I just pulled over in the car and watched it for at least 15mins. It was a double rainbow. The sky was wide open when the rainbow appeared. It went on forever!

Yellowstone is huge. It is magnificent and the land changes dramatically as you drive around. I didn't camp in Yellowstone because there was free National Forest camping right outside the park. The campgrounds in Yellowstone were a little too developed for me. I think I need to go back and explore the back country. After 2 days of driving through Yellowstone with all those people I couldn't wait to get out. There are so many rules and Silvi wasn't allowed anywhere except on the road. I loved hiking in the National Forest that is next to Yellowstone. Just as wild but no rules and barely any people!

In Yellowstone everyone jumps out of their cars every time there's an elk, bear, buffalo, etc. That wouldn't be bad but then they try and get real close to the animals. I began to feel like I was driving through a giant zoo. I hate zoos! But I'm glad I went. The boiling streams and acid hot springs are very cool.

Beartooth Pass

Beartooth Pass is an awesome drive. I felt like I was on a roller coaster but I was the driver and there's no track! Hiking around on top on that mountain was breathtaking. I felt like I could touch the sky. Everything in the world, my life seemed to disappear hiking around on those rocks. It cleansed my soul. It's should be a must on everyone's to do list.

Little Bighorn Battle Field

I went to Little Bighorn Battlefield on 9/18. I didn't take any pictures. I wanted to just be in the moment and experience the site. The Native American Memorial almost made me cry.

I drove through one of the reservations earlier in the day. The land there just seems so barren. The history of what happened between the whites and natives is so recent. It's a terrible part of our past. Actually being out here in the West and seeing these sites makes the history come alive.

Devil's Tower

This is Devil's Tower in northeast Wyoming. Someday I'm going to come back and climb this tower. I don't know how to rock climb yet but wanting to climb Devil's Tower is great motivation!

Morning Walk

I'm currently in Montana right outside of Yellowstone National Park. I'm camping in the National Forest. It's free and is in the middle of the woods. I love it. These are some of the
pictures I took on my morning walk with Silvi. This river is loud! I could here it as I went to
sleep.

I was thinking about doing some back country camping in Yellowstone but I'm reconsidering that idea. I talked to some locals this morning and they told me how aggressive and dangerous the grisly bears are this time of year. I think I'll wait until I have a partner to go into the back country!

Harney Peak

Harney Peak is in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. It's a 7,242ft elevation. It was a wonderful day hike.

























The top point on the left of the those rocks is where I was. What a view! I took this picture about halfway up to the peak.

Best Damm Steak Ever!

My morning view!











I've loved Nebraska. It was the first place I was sad to leave. I stopped using the interstates after my second day of driving. I highly recommend it to anyone driving across this remarkable country.

The Sandhill's of Nebraska are beautiful. I drove from 3-7 going west as the sun was coming down. It should be considered on of the wonders of the world. The sun came through the clouds in amazing patterns. It looked liked there were enormous waterfalls in the distance.

I went to northeast Nebraska to check out Ashfall's fossil site. After driving for 3 hours I got there and the viewing area was closed. Oh well. I spoke with a couple very nice women at the visitor's center that lead me to Grove Lake Park. It wasn't even on the map. It was wonderful. It was great timing. There was a reunion of sorts happening that weekend.

What a great group. They said I was in Nebraska so I had to eat steak. They had cooked steaks on a open fire. I even met the guy who raised the cattle. Wow!! I have never liked steak before that night. But man, I could eat that steak forever. I had steak and beers sitting by the fire. It was a fabulous evening. They invited me back over for breakfast. Another great meal!

Beautiful Farmland

Driving in Indiana.













I can't even begin to describe how beautiful driving through Indiana and Illinois was. The sky and clouds were just perfect. The cornfields surrounded the road and I felt swallowed by the landscape as I drove.

I've met so many good people and feel like I'm acquiring a database of stories as I go. On Wednesday I stopped in Ottawa, IL. It's where Lincoln gave his first public debate. I walked the town square where 10,000 people came to listen. I tried to imagine what that would have felt like and how all those people could hear Lincoln talk without modern amplifiers.

I pulled out of my parking space and immediately heard a horrible sound. I pulled over expecting to see my muffler dragging on the ground. But I saw nothing. I ended up at Conroy's auto shop in a mile away. If anyone ever needs car service near Ottawa, IL this is the place. Three guys looked over my brakes for 45 mins. They had just decided it was something they couldn't fix when they figured out the problem. I was missing a bolt that holds the brakes to the wheel. It's an important bolt! They were awesome and didn't seem to mind me hanging around. I love learning about this car. In the end, they spent an hour working and only charged me $35. Wow!

I entered NE yesterday. I'm headed to see the Pompei of NE. Can't wait to see all the buried prehistoric animals. There's camels and rhinos! I was told it's must see by some older NE guys I met camping last night. They were kind enough to share their fire with me.

This was on the window of a small beat house with a for sale sign on the lawn. It says "Dee's International Massage, Take a one hour vacation with us." I wonder if I can still get an hour vacation with them?

Ohio

Early morning dawn at Ohio's West Branch State Park.







This is a beautiful park. The morning light and the fog over the lake was impressive.

I love watching the mountains, trees and farms change as I drive. I'm not sure the other cars appreciate my car's slow going but 'Mac' just can't go that fast. We stay around 60MPH. No chance of getting a speeding ticket in this car.

Last night I spent the night at West Branch State park. This park was in the middle of nowhere. I went to check in and saw the camping prices, $20 for a primitive (no toilet site). Umm no, not on my cheap budget. I figured I'd just sleep in the car in a parking lot on one of the outer roads of the park. Immediately a state ranger came over and asked if I was o.k. I talked with him and he said it was cool if I slept in my car as long as I was out before the next ranger came on duty at 7am. Perfect! I hope that will work in the future. I just need to get further west and then there's plenty of free camping. Until then I'm loving my car.

Appalachian Trail Rocks

I've departed early from the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail isn't for dogs, at least not my dog. Silvi is an awesome companion but she isn't built for rock climbing. The rocks cut her paws. I was afraid her feet would get worse and she wouldn't be able to walk. Silvi will be fine she just needs to rest up and not climb any boulders for a few days. By the time we get to Montana or where ever we land next she'll be good as new.

The A.T. was amazing! Climbing the hills and rocks was hard but getting to the top was unbelievable. The mountain I climbed was tiny compared to the mountains out there in the world. I never understood why people would risk everything to climb big mountains. Getting a small taste even though it was a tiny morsel made me understand. I hate the cold but Everest must be something else.

I saw breathtaking views in Mexico and El Salvador but was driven up the mountains. It's an entirely different feeling climbing up yourself and feeling the rocks under your hands as you figure out how to get to the top without breaking a leg. There were times when I had to literally pick up Silvi and help her up or down the rocks. Thank god she's super motivated and has an iron will or I'd be sitting up on some rock trying to figure out what to do.

I was glad to find out that wasn't scared at all at night. I learned more in the last few days than I could have reading or talking to people. I want to do the entire Appalachian trail one of these summers. It will be without a dog. The trail was really dry. It was 10 miles between springs and some of those were dry. Carrying water and food for a dog and all my stuff was a lot. Everything was worth it and I'm thrilled I got to start my trip on such a historic trail.

Is this really the trail! This isn't a trail. Where the hell is the white trail marker?

Off to the trail

I'm leaving a day late but I'm packed up and ready to leave the house. Wow, I didn't realize how much work it would take to be a traveler. There was so much packing and organizing.

I'm so excited to hit the trail today. The weather is beautiful and warm, thankfully. My pack is heavy! At least it will get lighter every day as I eat. Silvi has her own pack and a bell. I'm hoping she can handle the hiking. Dog food is heavy. I didn't put much weight in her pack so I'm carrying all my food for almost 2 weeks and dog food. I will have to get off the trail to buy her more food. I never realized how heavy a bag of spices was until every ounce was packed up and on my back.

Luckily I don't care how far I get I just want to be out and hiking for 2 weeks. My mom's picking me up on Sept. 16. Can't wait to see those stars tonight in the woods.

Here's a picture of the Mac N Cheese car, my '82 Mercedes that will be getting me cross country.