Author Topic: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020  (Read 26049 times)

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #80 on: September 10, 2020, 08:38:00 PM »
Nice! Can't wait for next post

Offline Moshe123

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #81 on: September 10, 2020, 09:01:26 PM »
Amazing!

Offline JuryDuty

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #82 on: September 13, 2020, 11:10:36 AM »
Added a wiki. It's my first time, so let me know if anything is wonky. I tested it, so it should work
Jury Duty: Nothing to do there but chill and write a TR. Kinda like the beach but missing the view and ocean breeze.

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #83 on: September 13, 2020, 12:14:31 PM »
Added a wiki. It's my first time, so let me know if anything is wonky. I tested it, so it should work
Cool, looks great!!

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #84 on: September 20, 2020, 11:40:22 PM »
TR Week 2, Day 1 - Sunday - Part II

I was majorly pooped by the time I was done with Yellowstone, so I'm glad I found a hotel not too far away. Well, the word hotel is charitable. The Signal Mountain Lodge's main attraction is its location, and nothing else. I chose it because of exactly that - the Lodge is located IN Grand Teton National Park, which lies directly south of Yellowstone.



With sun setting and eyes drooping, I headed south. I was excited to use my American the Beautiful Pass (since this third use would make it "worth it"), but there were no rangers at the entrance! So I just drove straight in.

It was about 40 minutes to the Lodge. I pulled up to the lobby, checked in, was given a map and a "good luck" in finding my room. Oh, and a warning about bears. Yikes. I found my room, which was actually more of a summer bungalow, but I was pretty spooked about the bear thing. Next time I'm bringing bear spray! Oh, and when I asked about the wifi (remember, I was seeing clients over Zoom most morning) I was told not to expect video-call quality, "unless people aren't really using the internet in the morning". Yikes. At least the room had a coffee pot.

The room was comfortable enough, and I wasn't eaten by a bear.

Sunday's totals: 255 miles, about 6.5 hours of driving, 1 close encounter with a bison, no bears.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2020, 12:41:57 AM by shmelive »

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #85 on: September 21, 2020, 12:40:58 AM »
TR Week 2, Day 2 - Monday

Waking up in the forest, in a bungalow, next to a lake, inside a National Park = not bad.



I rose, made coffee, saw clients (the internet speed was blessedly fine), and checked out. Oh, I skipped the part where I begged for late checkout. They weren't too charitable.

The room was expensive - I paid $304 for the night - and was fairly basic. Again, location wins.

It was cloudy and chilly, with rain in the forecast. And it was just as well, because I wasn't up for a full National Park day! Even though I was literally in my second National Park in two days.

First, a trip to Jenny Lake, which I was told not to miss. It was only 15 minutes away.

Obligatory through-the-windshield pic:





It was only a short walk from the parking lot to the lake:




And then, the most breathtaking view, even in the mist:



You can see the ferry here.




I didn't have the energy to hike around the lake, and it was cold and rainy too. So I sat and ate my lunch and pondered the view. Definitely a nice place to eat lunch. 5/5 Stars, would go again. The wait service was a bit grumpy, though. Must have been the weather.

Another do-not-miss, according the internet, was Mormon Row: a bunch of quaint houses with the Tetons in the background. The mist put a bit of a damper on the views.



At that point, it started raining in earnest, and also the longest line of Corvettes I've ever seen started arriving and promised to cause a major traffic jam. I was told to avoid the livestock, so I hoofed it out of there!





I got the sign on the way out, since it was dark when I entered.


And then it was off to Jackson, Wyoming.



I had to stop at the horns:



Jackson is a tourist attraction and a major travel destination. I found that out when I googled the town and one of the first results that came up was "Where do celebrities stay in Jackson?" (Answer: at least four places where rooms start at $900 a night. Nice to dream about as I cozy up at my Holiday Inn.)

Fun fact: Tetons is adapted from French. It means "teat". Take that one home.



It was mostly horns, gift shops, and a 20-person line to get into Starbucks. And it was raining. I got moving south. It was a truly scenic drive:



With some colorful rest-stops:





And then - Utah.



The scenic byways continued.


It was a long drive, but I'm glad I pushed through all the way to Salt Lake City. After a hopefully restful night and a morning full of clients, it would be time to head East.

Oh, and laundry. It was laundry day, so I made sure to stay at the Candlewood Salt Lake City Airport, so I would be able to wear clean clothing. I wouldn't say it was effortless (my dryer kept stopping), but eventually my clothes were clean. I fell asleep dreaming of grand tetons. I mean, The Grand Tetons.

Totals: 307 miles, about 5.5 driving hours, and no Tshirts bought because they didn't have good ones in my size.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2020, 01:24:32 AM by shmelive »

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #86 on: December 17, 2020, 06:32:13 PM »
Are we finished here? Any more updates?

Would love to here details how you made it back to the East Coast before R"H?

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #87 on: February 06, 2021, 07:00:19 PM »
What's that? You're wondering where I went? Am I still stranded in Utah?

Nope! Just good old procrastination with some covid blues thrown in for good measure.

If, like @jose34 , you are wondering where I've been, eager for the next installation of Season 1 of Traveling with Shmè, you're in luck. I'm back, and slightly worse than ever.

We last left me doing laundry in Salt Lake City. I'm happy to report that I have done laundry since then. Actually, I pay a nice lady named Eunice to do it for me. But that's a different story for a different time.

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020. I woke up, had a coffee, and saw 5 clients over Zoom from 8am to 12:30pm. I missed morning prayers at the Shul of Latter Day Saints, so I prayed on my own.

After heading due South the day before, today was all about West. Mostly. My first stop was the Lake for which the city is named.


Great Salt Lake

It's nice. It was hard to find.

I mean, the Lake was easy to find. It was hard to find the turnoff for the lake vantage point. After lots of fumfering, I found Great Salt Lake State Park, where I had to pay 10 bucks for parking.



Verdict: go for the view, leave quickly for the smell.

Back on the road, heading due West to my next stop: the Bonneville Salt Flats.



Imagine a beach without the water. And, instead of sand, it's salt. Stepping out onto the flats is a very cool experience. They go on and on as far as you can see. It's desolate and quiet. And the feel of the sand beneath my feet is solid, with a little bit of give that let me know that it wasn't quite regular ground. They have auto racing here. I'd love to see that.



About 10 more miles West, and I was at the Nevada border.



I discovered that it's pronounced Ne-VAAA-dah (like the A in apple). Check this link if you're still not sure how to say it.

It was time to leave the safety and familiarity of the I-80 behind, and venture southwest on a little highway called State Route 93 Alternate. Crossing into Pacific Time, I lost service. It was just me, Fezzik, and a two lane highway with a dotted yellow line down the middle, whizzing past sun-baked earth covered in scraggly desert growth, like a 17-year old bochur trying to grow a beard.

It was glorious.



To break things up, I stopped at a little town with a Jewish name: Ely, Nevada.



The elevation is 6435, which coincidentally is the code to get into the local shul.

Just kidding. The code is 613. 6, then 1 and 3 together. Also, there is no shul.

Just a little dry desert humor.


Good times.

The 93 ALT ended at Ely, so I continued my southwesterly trek on Route 6. I couldn't find a good place to stay, so I contacted my trusty concierge @JuryDuty who came through in a big way. More on that soon. (Whatsapp was really helpful here - my texts and voice notes got through when I had little spurts of cell service even when I couldn't make a phone call.)

On this leg of the trip, Fezzik and I passed a milestone - 100k miles!


Before


Yay!


Desert sunset...

I landed in a little town called Tonopah, on Route 6, and headed to the Mizpah Hotel recommended by my concierge. It was founded in 1907, and restored to its former glory in 2011. It has a really cool, old-timey feel.










Of course, it's Nevada so there are some gambling devices.


Just one drink before bed.


Good night


Lights out!

Totals: A little over 6 hours driving, a little over 400 miles driven, a little overcompensating for not having posted in a while.

More to come! Especially if you nudge me.

Offline Therebbesbocher

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #88 on: February 06, 2021, 08:07:26 PM »
Fun fact, there is a Frum Yid who lives in Ely, he's the Chaplin in Ely State Prison, and a great guy.

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #89 on: February 06, 2021, 09:42:52 PM »
Fun fact, there is a Frum Yid who lives in Ely, he's the Chaplin in Ely State Prison, and a great guy.
Cool!

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #90 on: February 06, 2021, 09:58:35 PM »
I must interrupt this TR to introduce a dear friend, Carlos. Carlos has been with me since just before my road trip. He enjoys driving as much as I do, and even waves his arms up and down as we cruise along.

He doesn't mind me sharing pictures of him. Here he is:


Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #91 on: February 06, 2021, 10:13:49 PM »
Here's a sneak preview of my drive from Tonopah to Yosemite. Dance moves by Carlos, music by Avraham Rosenblum and the Diaspora Yeshiva Band.


Offline Yehoshua

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #92 on: February 07, 2021, 01:26:25 AM »
Apparently the Mitzpah Hotel is haunted... Any luck sighting the supernatural?

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #93 on: February 07, 2021, 01:42:47 AM »
Nice to see your still not in Utah anymore.  ;)

Cool Hotel.

Can't wait for more.

After @Something Fishy trip reports, this has been the best one yet. I think @Dan needs to post some of these in his weekly roundup.

Fun, easy to read with good pics and going across the country is really interesting. 

Offline Dan

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Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #95 on: April 18, 2021, 05:36:03 PM »
Um....hello...still waiting for more.... ;D.

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #96 on: April 18, 2021, 11:43:28 PM »
Um....hello...still waiting for more.... ;D.
Thanks for the nudge! Will work on it this week.

Offline justmeha

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #97 on: April 19, 2021, 06:12:43 PM »
Thanks for bumping

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #98 on: April 19, 2021, 07:06:15 PM »
For sure. When you go on such a cool trip  and then start with daily updates (and write very well)  but then take months to write the rest its hard to wait.

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #99 on: April 19, 2021, 07:10:28 PM »
For sure. When you go on such a cool trip  and then start with daily updates (and write very well)  but then take months to write the rest its hard to wait.
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