Oct 30, 2018 Westward home and trip summary

We had a lazy morning, then we took the scenic road home. Wright-wood is definitely the "land of four seasons," there was a good amount of fall color in the mountains, but more light yellows and golds than brilliant reds and oranges. Still, it was lovely.

We went by way of Jackson Lake, then down to the Mojave Desert with Joshua trees and a lunch stop in Littlerock, before taking the final ride home.

The whole trip: 7902 miles!

Randy's goal is to get to all 50 states, and to get the Sportsmobile van to all lower 48. Together with our 2009 cross-country trip, we almost made it!

The whole trip:  30  states!
Part 1: CA, AZ, NV, UT, CO, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN, OH, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, RI, CT (return to NY & fly home).
Part 2: (repeat NY for Union Parent Weekend), PA, MD, VA, NC, SC, TN, GA, AL, FL, MS, LA, TX, NM, (repeat AZ, NV, CA)

New states for Randy, Bryn, van; IA, MO; new for Bryn and van: NC, GA, FL; new for van: LA.

Where ever we go, Bryn always wants to see family and friends if possible.

The whole trip:  50 people!

42 we knew:
Vanya, Shawn S, Elaine, Don, Cathy, Matt, Lynn, Tim, Elizabeth, Leo, Mark, Cindy R, Will, Catherine N, Tom, Vinny, Cindy, Maureen K, James, Matt, Patti, Chris, Roz, Steve, Philip, Mary Rose, Bret, David, Marco, Kate, Patrick, Jacob, Sophia, Scott, Donna, Lisa, Anna, Carlos, Maureen C, Catherine M, Ken, Clayton;

and 8 we me for the first time: Joy, Ethan, Melissa, Shawn F, Loretta, Johnny, Kris, Robin.

Regional food: NY apples, PA apples, NC bbq & hushpuppies, Georgia peach pie, New Orleans gumbo, jambalaya, muffaleta, po'boy, beignet, TX bbq, NM style Mexican (sopapillas)

Bookstores: 2. Going to used bookstores had been a favorite activity in the past, especially with the big barn bookstores in the east. Unfortunately, with Amazon and online shopping, these don't really exist anymore. Thank goodness for Bookman's in Arizona. There are several of them throughout the state, we were happy to be able to visit the Flagstaff store. We also went to a Barnes & Nobel.

What's next? Randy, Bryn, and the Sportsmobile have never been to one more state. That will be another trip, maybe next year?