The Road Trip: Three Friends Tour America's West
For the better part of the last three months, Carter, Caleb, and I have been planning a two-week long road trip throughout the western United States.
Brea, California
May 6, 2015
I can't wait for tomorrow.
For the better part of the last three months, Carter, Caleb, and I have been planning a two-week long road trip throughout the western United States. Every stagnant pause at the dinner table, every quiet car ride around town, all of my available thinking time has been dedicated to this trip.
You could say I'm excited.
Just a little bit.
Here's an overall map and where we plan on staying. Quite a swath of land to discover in only 13 days. (Click image to enlarge)
Although we intend on having a fair bit of time for relaxing, our itinerary has been rigorously planned, every roadside attraction has been accounted for. But as you can see, our main goal is visiting National Parks.
List of our upcoming attractions:
Yosemite National Park — Days 2 & 3
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks — Days 4 & 5
Death Valley National Park — Day 6
Zion National Park — Days 7 & 8
Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — Day 9
Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park — Day 10
Canyonlands National Park — Day 11
Mesa Verde National Park — Day 12
At 2 p.m., a thunderous knock came from the front door.
My heart was pounding in my ears. I opened the door to find two goofy grins staring back at me—Carter and Caleb. The three of us met when we worked for Philmont Scout Ranch in the summer of 2013 at Sawmill camp. We quickly became close friends that season.
As for proof, a goofy pic of our entire staff.
Caleb Jennings is the hippy without shoes, Carter Smith is the giant with a 3/4 ax, and I'm the imp with a nut-collector. Yep, what a crew.
The three of us went out for dinner and drinks; a celebratory commencement.
We came back home for ice cream and a living room showing of Reservoir Dogs.
My duffels are packed, my goodbyes to my family have been said. After much anticipation and waiting, the time has come.
Wheels up, 7 a.m.
Tomorrow, it begins.
The Road Trip has started.
Hey, want a ride?
Stick your thumb out:
The Road Trip Day 9: Alien Landscape
I awoke at 7 a.m. sharp, rain began falling at 7:02 a.m. Packing up in a light sprinkle is rarely enjoyable, but it was something we had to do. At least…
Bryce Canyon + Capitol Reef National Parks, Utah
May 15, 2015
I awoke at 7 a.m. sharp, rain began falling at 7:02 a.m.
Packing up in a light sprinkle is rarely enjoyable, but it was something we had to do. At least we got clear skies for yesterday's hike.
Today's drive was one of the longer ones; we boogied to get camp broken down, car packed and refueled, and road snacks restocked.
We waved goodbye to Zion.
Click here to view this in Google Street View.
Light rain suddenly turned to flurries of snow. The storm we had narrowly been avoiding finally caught up to us.
Along the way we stopped at Bryce Canyon. The visitor's center was packed due to the crummy weather. We took a quick visit to the rim, but you couldn't see a single hoodoo; it was completely socked in. Carter got his sticker all the same.
A very limited and snowy view of Bryce Canyon from the Rim trail.
We pressed on.
A pretty common view along State Route 12.
Head of the Rocks Overlook, Utah.
Looks like we skirted the storm.
The scenery was sublime. State Route 12 might be my favorite road in the US—certainly top three.
We started to get ahead of the storm. Another pull-off caught our attention. “Head of the Rocks Overlook”, proclaimed a small sign. Massive, angry clouds traveled West.
We were headed East.
Caleb made a feline friend during brunch.
The Smith's family friend has a restaurant we were told could not be missed, so we skipped breakfast to save time and not spoil our appetites.
Hell's Backbone Grill had a charming rustic vibe. We looked over the menu and didn't take long. Caleb got French toast, Carter got a quesadilla, and I got shirred eggs with several cups of coffee.
It was pure heaven for our travel-addled bodies.
Quite the brunch spread at Hell's Backbone Grill.
We said our thank-yous and got back on the road once again. Capitol Reef was on our way to Moab; we couldn't resist a short stop at the visitor's center.
Carter's sticker-window is running out of real estate.
Chimney Rock and Mummy Cliff as seen from Utah State Route 24.
Tonight, we are staying at a cheap RV and campground spot in Moab. Hour after hour, our vehicular spaceship zoomed through the alien landscape.
We arrived at the River Oasis RV Park in Moab. Apparently, it has free WiFi, but I had trouble loading Google. Dinner was beef stroganoff with several additional cloves of garlic.
Tomorrow's plan is Arches.
Hey, want a ride?
Turn it around:
Stick your thumb out:
The Road Trip Day 10: A Million Square Miles
It was another drizzly, rainy morning. Having showered last night, we had no further obligations or desires to stay another night at the 'majestic' River Oasis RV park…
Arches National Park + Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
May 16, 2015
It was another drizzly, rainy morning.
Having showered last night, we had no further obligations or desires to stay another night at the 'majestic' River Oasis RV park, so once more, we packed our belongings in the rain. It wasn't bothersome, hell, it rained less than yesterday.
On our way into the park, we stopped for fuel and snacks. I got another Frappucino, easily my fourth during this trip.
My day-bag practically packs itself now. We were ready to go in less than 30 minutes.
A pair of hikers taking a break along Delicate Arch Trail.
Delicate Arch is is in the middle of the park and it made sense to beat the possible crowds. After a short drive into the park, we got out of the car and onto a trail.
It looked just like the postcards.
Pine Tree Arch.
Tunnel Arch.
We also went to Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, and Landscape Arch. The park didn't seem the least bit crowded. Plus, the rain and clouds had started to clear, leaving us with some gorgeous views.
We spent the second half of our day at Dead Horse Point State Park.
Upon arriving at the parking lot, I promptly got out and rummaged through our swampy ice chest. Tailgate down, I made tuna salad; complete with celery, garlic, and capers. A small roadside-cafe van was selling lunch items, but most importantly, fresh espresso. I was beyond stoked.
I got my iced Americano and considered the day worthwhile.
The three of us munched under the shade of an awning. The sun was warm and the breeze was cool.
Refreshed, we walked up a small hill to check out the acclaimed overlook.
La Sal Mountains as seen from Dead Horse Point lookout.
I was genuinely stunned.
The three of us stared slack-jawed for quite some time.
We drove back into town and checked into the Lazy Lizard Hostel. Everyone was enamored with the place. After unpacking, we immediately booked a second night. It was that cool.
Showered, and with fresh clothes (not even previously worn), we went out for dinner at the Moab Brewery. It had rave reviews and a solid line every time we had driven by earlier. I had a patty melt with Swiss and mushrooms which was complimented well by an orange hef.
Back at the hostel, we continued our cribbage saga. There's no use in fibbing; I got demolished. It didn't matter, we laughed the entire game.
It kept me from remembering—only three days remain.
Hey, want a ride?
Turn it around:
Stick your thumb out:
About the Blog
Justin Kernes is a photographer and writer who thrives in the great outdoors.
From 2010-2017, he worked in the backcountry at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
In 2018 “Tiny Slice” successfully thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.
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