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My plan was to drive to Moab on the second day which would have been a pretty leisurely day so I was trying to maximize my time and find some things to do on the way when I found out about Ice Lake Basin Trail in San Juan national park. From Tucumcari, it's about an 8 hour drive and from the trailhead to Moab is a ~4 hour drive. Despite the potential for some iffy weather I decided to wake up early and drive there which put me at the trailhead around 2:30-3. When I arrived, it started to drizzle but I put on my raincoat and started the hike. After about a mile I was starting to have second thoughts due to thunder and lighting but went ahead. Around mile 2 some hail started falling and I did not want to be struck by lighting so I began running back. When I got to a small clearing the hail intensified so I took my pack off and put it over my head while I dashed for the forest. I had a small unpadded hood on my jacket which helped ease the pain from the hail a bit but when it hit my hands it hurt like heck and the temperature was dropping so my hands started to get numb (maybe that helped?). When I got back to the forest I took my poncho out and stuffed it under my hood so I could continue going. I ran a good bit of the way back and my heart was racing...it felt really good despite being cold and drenched. My car was covered in hail but thankfully it was not large enough to cause any damage.

I'm really bummed I won't be able to make it back this trip unless I move a few things around (e.g. no California). The pictures of the lake look so good too so I'll have to think it over the next couple days.


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Nicest (and most expensive) Motel 6 ever? Hoping to have time to find a campsite tomorrow...

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P.S. Driving at night around here sucks.
 
I went to Canyonlands National Park yesterday and did the Murphy Loop Trail. The NPS website advises against doing this trail from 10am-6pm due to the heat and essentially no shade, but I arrived around 2:30pm and finished around 7:30pm. Heat was actually not that bad but I wore a long sleeve shirt, swim shorts, a wide brim hat, and had a shirt around my neck. I'm sure I looked silly but I didn't get sunburnt. The last few miles were brutal because I think I pulled something when running the Ice Lake Basin trail the other day. Lifting my right leg to get into the tub, put on socks, get on the bed, etc. is excruciating so today will basically be a day of stopping at scenic areas alongside the road. I may head towards St. George, Utah in the evening to shorten my drive to California tomorrow.

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I went to Arches National Park today and took it a littler easier, but probably still walked close to 10 miles in short bursts.

Here are a few pictures:

Colorful lizard using digital zoom:

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Balancing Rock:

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Delicate Arch:

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Cool looking tree:

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Split in trails leading to Landscape Arch and Double O Arch:

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Phallic looking rock:

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Wait for your neighbors to go on vacation and break into their home and stay there. Pretend it's a nice bed and breakfast.
 
Herr Kutz said:
Around mile 2 some hail started falling and I did not want to be struck by lighting so I began running back. When I got to a small clearing the hail intensified so I took my pack off and put it over my head while I dashed for the forest. I had a small unpadded hood on my jacket which helped ease the pain from the hail a bit but when it hit my hands it hurt like heck and the temperature was dropping so my hands started to get numb (maybe that helped?).
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Sorry that you had that experience and that I had recommended Colorado. At least you got a good story out of it.
 
LOL! I so hate that word! I utterly hate it! In fact, the whole damn English language can go straight to hell. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 dollars.
 
I saw a bunch of big trees in Sequoia today...pretty neat. Yosemite is on the list for tomorrow.

Is visiting Trident worth it while I'm over on this side of the country?


dullard said:
Sorry that you had that experience and that I had recommended Colorado. At least you got a good story out of it.
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Actually can't wait to go back and actually finish the trail. Maybe next year (or maybe on the way home?).
 
Herr Kutz said:
I saw a bunch of big trees in Sequoia today...pretty neat. Yosemite is on the list for tomorrow.

Is visiting Trident worth it while I'm over on this side of the country?
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Probably. Be sure to bring plenty of froot loops to lure him out of his lair.
 
I'm sure many of you will be happy to know I fended off all bears.


Finished up the trip by going to:

Went to IKEA in Vegas

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Picture of the Dumont Little Dunes as I was driving from Las Vegas to Bakersfield (around Death Valley)

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Driving to Sequoia:

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Sequoia National Park

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Driving back from Sequoia:

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Yosemite National Park

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Lake Tahoe (I was only able to stay here for one day because hotel prices jumped like crazy and everything was sold out the second night; I heard someone say something about Burning Man and it was Labor Day weekend)

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Drove around Napa Valley

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Delicious Burrito Super from Puerto Vallarta Market in Calistoga, CA

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Also the Golden Gate Bridge

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Drove down Highway 1 (I was going to do some hike(s) in the Big Sur area but it was closed due to wildfires)

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Did the Ice Lake Basin Trail on the way home (if you do this hike, pack some warmer clothes for when you get to the top as it is quite chilly)

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Bought a desk at IKEA in Dallas on the way home. I also bought a fender from a junk yard (not pictured) in Dallas for my Versa.

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Some successes of this trip:
- I didn't have to poop in the wild even one time
- Visited more places than I expected
- Got a new Desk

Some downsides:
- Noobed out and didn't camp once ($$$)
- A little more driving that I had intended
- Discovered my car will not reach the speed Nissan claims it is limited to
- Didn't visit Trident
 
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I also now kind of understand the whole weather thing over in that part of the country. I sweated more in 10 minutes this morning (it was overcast and about to rain) when I went to clean some paint off my vehicle than I did during the entire 2 week vacation.
 
Wow. Two Ikeas. Sounds like an extra successful trip.

What's up with the picture of the picture of Yosemite valley and El Cap?
 
Herr Kutz said:
Guys, should I get a selfie stick for this trip?
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Yes! But you must also get a lot of water and hydrating stuff too! Cans of beans will also be helpful.

Don't forget your to get a Bear Grylls kit with you cause it will be hot, really very hot out there!
 
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