Road Trip 2007

Peter and I are two weeks away from our cross country trip. We'll leave Apex, NC on Saturday, June 9Th and stay overnight in Ohio at a friend's house. We will likely head out Sunday and get west of Chicago. I'd like to get two long days of driving in before we start to camp. We should be able to get to The Badlands, SD by Tuesday. From that point our plans may change at any time. Peter really wants to go to Vegas, I'm not sure that Peter and me in Las Vegas is such a good idea. We'll see. You can view our tentative route at the following link: http://mapshare.delorme.com/Consumer/V.aspx?p=34ty3wp5


****E-mails sent to friends and family from Road Trip 2006******

June 9, 2006
Well Nick and I spend the afternoon loading the Element and packing. We are planning on leaving around 6:00 am and hope to meet up with my mother and Jim in Knoxville, TN for lunch. They are on there way from Massachusetts, heading to Birmingham, AL. I have not told Nick about lunch with mom and Jim, I figure that we'll act like it's a random event and see his reaction! We hope to get to Tim's Ford Lake, TN and camp for one or two nights. We'll be just outside of Lynchburg, where Jack Daniel's is made. Hopefully we can go on the tour of the distillery. I own land there as well and hope to get my picture taken on my property. Graceland is our next goal! I'll update you later.

June 10, 2006
The drive to Tennessee was uneventfull. I can now say that, "I have seen ROCK CITY". Plans change! We had anticipated camping at Tim's ford State Park but they were having a "Fishing Rodeo", and were completely full. It was a little soon for me, but I played The Tennesee Squire hand!!! (for those of you who don't know, I own one square foot of land at the Jack Daniels distillery, it gives a person, shall we say, a certain amount of pull with the locals) I called over there and was told that I could camp in a city park in downtown Lynchburg., with the other homeless people.There are baseball games scheduled until 11:30pm, so we even have free entertainment. Livin' Large! It's 9:15pm central time, so I'm pretty tired. I'll update you when I can. So far the Alltel wireless card is performing flawlessly (shameless plug). Thanks to everyone who has given input to the trip. I'm sure that it will come in handy.

June 12, 2006
We went to the Jack Daniel's Distillery yesterday. What a great tour and a beautiful place. If any of you ever get a chance you must see it. We finished the tour at about 11:30 AM, got some lunch in Lynchburg, and headed west. We talked about camping midway between Nashville and Memphis, but we were making good time and it was about 94 degrees, so we thought that a night in a hotel in Memphis would be nice. We stayed right on Beale St. That place is off the hook, even on Sunday night! Nick and I wondered around until about 11:00 PM. We saw a lot of "interesting" people, in various stages of intoxication. Ate some great BBQ at a place recommended by Gino, who was a street person. Heard great live music and checked out a great music store. We'll likely see Graceland today and then cross over into Arkansas. We want to see the Roger Miller Museum in western Oklahoma, but it does not open until Wednesday, so we need to kill a little time. I thing that we'll try to camp in the Ozarks for a day and then in Oklahoma.

June 14, 2006
We left Memphis on Monday and drove through Arkansas to Cove Lake @ Magazine Mountain State Park. It was very pretty. We left in the morning and drove into Oklahoma, through OK City and camped at Red Rock Canyon State park. The campsite was at the bottom of a 50 ft canyon and was great. We left this morning to begin seeing some of our planned things. We did get sidetracked about 10 miles to see a farm of huge electric windmills.....they are huge! We saw them from the highway and thought that it was like a mile away. we ended up going about five miles to get to them. When we got there I had to fix a flat. We stopped in Erick, OK to see the Roger Miller museum. Had lunch in town, no fast food yet. Need to go, hopefully will get into southern Colorado by evening. We have got to stay focused or we will never get home. It's been amazing! Chris and Nick

June 15, 2006
We left OK around 1:00 PM. We were on I40 but got off ont old Route 66 more than once.We drove through the pan handle of Texas. What I want to know is, what kind of person gets out of there wagon in the middle of the prarie, with few to no trees or hills for as far as you can see, it's 94 degrees and the wind is blowing (I kid you not) 25 mph constant? And this person says, this would be a good place to "Homestead"! Clearly they were not drug testing the first pioneers to that part of the country. We stopped at the Cadilac Ranch, just west of Amarrillo. Nick and I spray painted our names on one of the cars (and Peter's too). Soon after that we said goodbye to I40/Route 66 and headed NW towards New Mexico and Southeaster Colorado. Once again we were side tract. The prarie was as flat as can be, and then we started to see large round hills alone. The largest of which turned out to be Capulin Volcano. We drove to the top of the road, which had no gaurd rails and then hiked on a trail that went around the top of the rim and another that went into the crater. The volcano was 8700 feet above sea level and about 1500 feet above the surrounding area. It was spectacular and exhausting. We'll see were we can get tomorow. I'm sure we can get to Dorango, CO. I'll let you know. Nick is unconcious now, and I'm on my way. See you.

June 17, 2006
I think that it's Thursday. W left New Mexico about 9:30am. Stopped in Ludlow, CO at the Ludlow Massacre Memorial. The coal minors were celebrating Greek Orthodox Easter when several were shot and killed by company detectives, eleven total, mostly women and children. There is a Ghost town there that is really interesting. After that we ran into the first problem with my map software. For the most part, DeLorme map software is great. From time to time there are errors. In North Carolina, an error may mean that you drive down a road that turns out to be a dead end after a mile or so. In Colorado it meant that Nick and I drove over 45 miles on dirt roads. Many went through large ranches and vast expanses of land with mountain passes and such. We saw a mother elk with her baby and amazing landscape. We never saw another person. Unfortunately it dead ended at an old wagon trail that was now just a hiking trail, just 3 or so miles from Great Sand Dune National Park! We had to turn around on about 10 miles of dirt road, and go around the area for about 70 miles. Needless to say, it has delayed us a bit. We stopped at a place called Zapata Falls. It was likely the most beautiful bit of nature that I have ever seen. We hiked through the desert, up part of a mountain and suddenly got into a narrow canyon, where the temperature dropped about 20 degrees. The stream water was, I'd guess no more than 50 degrees. We took off our boots and suffered through the freezing water to a beautiful waterfall about 50 yards in. After the falls we continued to the sand dune. It is as big as most mountains in NC. We plan on hiking to the top tomorrow. We'll stay here another night just to have a break from travel and camp setup and breakdown. The campsite is great and looks out over the dune with a mountain range behind us. Always lots of wind on this trip! More to follow. Friday 6/16/2006. Have not had wireless coverage since we got to Great Sand Dunes N.P. I figured that I'd just keep writing so I don't forget, and send it later. It was a bit chilly last night, maybe mid 40s. Tonight it's supposed to be in the mid to high 30s! We started hiking towards the dunes at about 9:30 AM. It was a bit cold when we started, but by 10:00 AM the sun was really heating up the side of the dunes. It is some of the most difficult climbing that I have done. The sand is deep and the climb is steep. You kind of try to pick the ridges that are the least steep and work your way back and forth. It took us about an hour to get to the top. The last 100 or so feet, you have no choice but to be on all fours. I was having to stop every 20 feet at that point to rest. It was a spectacular view from the top. The dunes spread out about 30 miles. We met some people who had a plastic sled. Nick had a blast going down the steep parts on it. After we got back to camp and ate lunch, we went about 30 miles (a short ride by southwest standards) to a hot springs pool. It was so nice. The water starts at about 104 degrees in a "Theropedic" pool and then is sprayed out into the other pool to cool down to about 98 degrees. Even though it was close to 90 out, it was freezing everytime that you got out. We stayed for about three hours. Nick hung out with some kids his age, particularly a cute little 13 year old girl, most of the time. I think that as much as I could use a bit of adult company, Nick really needed some non-adult company. It's raining fairly hard now, and its pretty chilly as well. Today was a nice break from driving. Tomorrow we're going to try to get to Moab, UT. We'll see if we can stay focused! We are not going to get to the Grand Canyon on this trip, we're just to far behind schedule. Both of us agree, that's for another road trip and we have no regrets. We have seen some amazing stuff. Neither of us will ever forget all the things we've seen. Chris and Nick

June 18, 2006
Because we stopped to see so many things, we are a bit behind schedule. Last night camping was quite cold, close to freezing. I put the flees liner in my sleeping bag so I was warmer than the night before. We got up and left at about 7:00 AM and drove through some beautiful mountains at the southern part of the Rockies. We were able to drive for about two hours before we had to stop to check out the surroundings. Had lunch at a small restaurant in Cortez, CO (no fast food yet. one of our goals). After that we got into what I think of as the classic western landscape. There were red rock pillars and mesas. We drove on to Four Corners, which in my opinion is like the South of the Border of the Southwest. There's really nothing there but an opportunity for a photo in four states at the same time. There was actually a line to get a chance to get your photo taken. I didn't bother getting my picture done, but I got a shot of the most Ghetto person I've ever seen, on all fours, with a big gold tooth grin! You can't buy times like these.........priceless! Nick said that Four Corners was worth the whole drive. I think that's an exaggeration! On the way to Moab, UT, we diverted (I know that's a shocker) towards Valley of the Gods. You don't have to even get out of your car. The landscape is unbelievable! We finally stopped and just looked at it. I think that we only took one picture; a photo just won't do. You really need to see this in person. I turned the car around, got out, had Nick take a picture of me, picked up a rock and drove back east. When I got back in the car, I told nick that the rock was from our western most point of the trip and that I was further west than him!!!!!! He'll have to go back himself to beat me; I'll want proof. Just outside of Moab me saw a natural sandstone arch on the side of the road. We were able to hike into it. It was very pretty. Got to Moab around 5:00 PM and found a hotel (we needed showers). We'll get up early tomorrow to ride Slickrock. We talked to a guy at a local bike store who said that we needed to get out by 7:00 AM because it takes mot people four to five hours to do the trail and it was around 100 degrees by 1:00 PM today! We're both looking forward to it. Well, it's after 10:00 PM and time for me to go. Thanks for all the responses. We miss everyone, and home that ya'll are enjoying the updates. Chris and Nick

June 18, 2006
MECCA! Slickrock trail was awesome! We listened to local advise as best we could and got an early start. As many of you know, for Pappas, 8:00 AM is a nice time for breakfast, but most other activities are at the edge of good taste. Being active that early is just not good for your constitution. Anyway, we were at the trail by 7:30 AM and started. Wow, it was everything that we've seen in the magazines and more. The landscape is so unique and hostile. Man is truly a guest there. We rode for about two and a half hours and it was about 100 degrees when we finished. There are few opportunities for shade. From what we were told, it's basically unreadable in another two weeks or so, unless you start by sunrise. We were both cashed after the ride and got some pizza and lots of water. After lunch we went to a small water park that is cut into the ridge. We stayed from when they opened, until closing. Nick must have gone down the slides a hundred times, he had a great time.We've been up early every day for a week now. Tomorrow I promised nick that we'll sleep late and not rush out. We are going to do some hiking in Arches National Park and then head towards Fruita and or Vail to do some more biking. See ya' soon, Pappas


June 19, 2006
Well, Nick is still sleeping so I thought I'd share a story from last night. While we were eating diner outside at Moab Brewing Company, we saw a couple of guys ride up on singlespeeds. I was kind of checking out the one guys Iron Horse and the guy gave me a bit of a look. So a bit later I was walking to the restroom through the bar, the guys stopped me and said that I looked familiar. I knew then, he must have been at the Single Speed World Championships. He and his buddies were there and when I described the HFR team, I got the same thing that we always seem to get, "you guys are out of control......we think that you're great!". Good job guys. Our reputation is spreading! See you, Pappas

June 21, 2006
By most standards 1600 Miles to go is a long way. Well, we're heading east and saying good-bye to the west! We left Moab on Monday, and in typical Chris and Nick fashion, we stopped in the first two miles to checked out the Colorado River. I know that the Grand Canyon is amazing, but even in Moab, it is impressive. We continued on and made it another five miles to Arches National Park. Once again, our country has truly been blessed with the most spectacular landscapes. Nick and I suffered through 100 degree heat to hike to one of the many arches. We were mesmerized by it. After we left, we got serious about travel, for the first time since last Tuesday, we got on the an interstate and off the back roads. Both of us agree, "back roads are the way to roll." Anyway, we drove into Colorado and the Rockies......WOW! We stopped in Glennwood Springs, but did not find out until the next day, when we were leaving, that it is one of the best hot springs around. Maybe next time. On Tuesday, Nick and I met Vance at Keystone ski area for some downhill mountain biking action! On the way there, we drove down the most beautiful section of interstate in America! (Yes, I will take the Pepsi challenge on that statement.) The mountain biking was great. Nick lost his mind! He had, "The best time of the trip!" (Wait till he sees Kansas!) It was a great place. We took the ski lifts to the top and rode through snow and on some awesome downhill runs. Each run took about an hour. By 5:00 PM we were all done. We drove back with Vance to Denver. Denver is a great city, and very bike friendly. We rode from Vance's place to Illegal Pete's and got some great burritos. We rode around until 10:30 PM or so, and then went back for some sleep. We hung out with Vance until the afternoon and then we got back on the road again. We hope to make it to western Kansas. Miss you all, Chris and Nick


June 22, 2006.
Yesterday we made it to Hays, KS which is about 150 miles east into Kansas. Believe me when I tell you, the eastern 100 miles of Colorado are worse than any part of Kansas. It's amazing how the landscape changes. If I could get Nick to wake up, we could start driving before 8:00 AM! Anyway, we headed north and made it to the geographic center of the continental United States in Lebanon. We did go about 20 miles further and drove into Nebraska. In Lebanon there is a monument and a small chapel. Photos were taken and Nick drove away for the first five or six miles. His first drive! Trust me, it was a dirt road and he only turned once. I told you that we still had Kansas; Nick said that this was the best part of the trip! Look at that smile. Next we stopped at the Worlds largest ball of twine. What a country! Sticking to our 'No fast food theme,' we drove into downtown Salina, KS. I spotted what I was sure would be a great local place to eat. We were not disappointed. Cozy Inn Hamburgers was started at this location in 1922. The entire town celebrated the 75 year anniversary a few years back. It is one of only a few 6 stool hamburger stands still in business in the USA. The burgers are small; we were told to each order six. The sign on the wall read, 'No cheese, onions come with all burgers'. There were no options. They were great. The counter had dozens of newspaper articles about the place and letters from as far back as the 40's. What a great experience. Nick especially liked when a drug deal went down in front of the place and the employees ran out to get the license plate numbers from the two involved vehicles, and called the police. You cant buy times like these.....can't buy 'em. After that we actually got a fair amount of driving done. We made it to about 100 miles west of St. Louis, MO. We would have gone further but ran into an amazing thunderstorm and thought it best to get a hotel for the night. All is well. Thanks to everyone for the e-mails and suggestions. Chris and Nick

June 23, 2006
Headed out of Columbia, MO a bit late and got to St. Louis by about 10:30 AM. After parking the car down by the Mississippi river and Gateway Arch. We did not have alot of time, so we did not have a chance to explore all of the shops and restaurants in this restored river front area. I'm sure that there are some great places to see. The city has a great museum from what I was told. I will definately come back. The elevator in the Arch had some 'mechanical problems'. The wait to get to the top was over two hours. Our hands were tied, we took a helecoptor ride from the deck of a barge docked in the river. Neither of us had ever been in a chopper before. What a great time. I still want to go inside the Arch, but you must agree that the view that we got was pretty impressive. Once again, Nick said that this was the best part of the trip. After the Helicopter ride we grabbed some lunch and headed east. I know that you've all heard about how awful Kansas is to drive through. Let me just tell you all, people from southern Illinois and Indiana had to have started that rumor. Kansas is a fascinating drive compared to Illinois and Indiana.......THE HORROR! I really thought that it would never end. We were so bored that we compiled some interesting travel statistics. I'll let ya'll hear them in a couple of days! We drove until 8:30 PM eastern time. We're both looking forward to getting home. We should be back in Apex tomorrow evening. Chris and Nick

July 10, 2006
I just can't say it enough, "Our Country is truly blessed"! It's been two weeks since we got back. We're still talking about it. I told you that I'd put together some statistics, just for entertainment value. We drove for 5104 miles and approximately 78 hours. Our longest day of driving was 540 miles. Most days were two to three hundred miles. We paid as much as $3.15/gallon for gas, and as little as $2.54. Many people have asked: I'd guess $850 in gas total.....it was worth every drop! Somewhere between Indiana and Illinois, Nick and I "scientifically" calculated that we struck approximately 64,000 bugs. (I think that was in between power window races and making up new words with "CORN" in them, like 'corn-tastick' and corn-arific) We hit two birds. and missed a deer by about ten feet at 80 MPH! We never ate fast food. We ate Mexican food and Beef products the most. We drove into or through nineteen states: North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia (100 yards up the mountain to SEE ROCK CITY), Mississippi (one city block in, it's not one mile from Graceland), Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska (less than 100 feet over the border, what's another 30 miles to tick off another state, when your at the geographic center of the USA?) Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. I know that driving that far is not for everyone. If there is anyway you can ever do a trip like this, you should do it. It has changed my life, I will not forget the things that we saw and the things that we did, for as long as I live! Thanks to everyone who gave me ideas before the trip and along the way. We can't wait until our next trip! Thanks again, Chris and Nick