On Wednesday September 26th the movers came, and it took 5 people (2 were crating my TV) less then 3 hours to pack and move out all 75 tagged items of stuff. I saw and said goodbye to many friends, including going to Mike Ching's birthday, before heading back to my home in Brookline for the last time.
Day 1: Brookline, MA - Bedford, MA (32 miles)
My first day on the road, I just headed up to my friend Phoebe Shen's house for a day of hanging out before the real driving begins.
It was so nice to see Natalie in the tie-dye I made for her at Camp Blue, play ultimate with Phoebe, and just relax for a day with not very much to do. I needed this to gear up for the big drive.
Day 2: Bedford, MA - Niagara Falls, NY (470 miles)
This was my first big day of driving. I headed out along the Mass Pike, and just kept going on 90 through New York. After many hours, I stopped in Seneca Fall, thinking it would be nice to see the birthplace of American Women's Rights. It was interesting to see the now very small town, that once was the center of very forward thinking. I cannot help but think that the world has changed a lot since that time, but yet many women are still in a similar state.
Then I headed onto my first destination, Niagara Falls. I had never been and wanted to see the falls. It was nice to just be a tourist for the evening. I went on the Maid of the Mist tour, the Caves of the Wind, and then after checking into a hotel, I walked to Canada! It was cool to walk across a bridge into Canada, and this time I remembered my passport. In Canada, I rode the big Ferris wheel, went to the top of the space needle, and watched fireworks! Yes, Canada put on fireworks on Friday nights, so I got to enjoy them over the lit falls, before walking back to the United States and sleep.
Day 3: Niagara Fall, NY - Benton Harbor, MI (450 miles)
The next morning, I went to see the International Kite Festival, before making my trip west into a cross-continent journey by driving through Ontario to Michigan. This time at the boarder, they did not even look at my passport or any ID while questioning me as I passed.
Michigan was lovely, with more trees then I expected. I think I have only seen the airport in Detroit before, so it was great to see more of the countryside. I stopped in Ann Arbor for late lunch, and then headed out to Benton Harbor, MI on Lake Michigan for the night.
There were just so many trees up until this point on my trip. The freeways were lined with trees, which are really my strongest association with the east.
Day 4: Benton Harbor, MI - Galesburg, IL (270 miles)
Then next morning I headed out to Indiana and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, before heading out to Galesburg, IL, my mom's hometown.
Before meeting up with the Bengtson's (my mom's cousin), I went to my mom's home from growing up. The current owners gave me a tour and told stories about their memories of my grandfather. It was nice to see where she grew up and the house her family built.
I then met Jan Bengtson for dinner before heading out to his and his wife Darlene’s home on Lake Bracken.
Day 5: Galesburg, IL
In the morning Jan fed the fish in the lake and after breakfast we headed out on an exploration. First off was the home of Carl Sandburg, a place my grandfather helped to restore. Then we headed to First Lutheran, where my mom and aunt, and all the Galesburg relatives were confirmed.
Jan's mom made the relief over the entry. Back in the day, there was a great schism, when the English service people broke away and created their own Lutheran church across the street. First Lutheran remained a Swedish speaking church until after WWI. It seems lots of immigrants in the past have held onto their home languages, and my great grandmother Emma never fully learned English.
We then went out to the Cemetery to see the gravestones and on the way back saw schools and homes that great-grandfather John built. Back in the day he also built a home for his bride Emma, and it was just after they were married that he brought her home to his finished and fully furnished place that he had been making on his free Saturday afternoons.
We then picked up cousin Peggy and went out to Bishop Hill for the good Swedish meatballs and Swedish rye bread. It was a great meal. Darlene then humored me and we went up to Moline to visit the John Deere museum. It was great to see all the big tractors and farm equipment. I was really in the middle of farmland, with corn, soy, and some wheat, as far as you could see.
While in Galesburg, we watched the trains, and headed out to see the hump. According to Jan, humping is for the morning.
It was warm enough, so in the early evening, we took the pontoon boat on Lake Bracken. It was fun to drive around outside.
Day 6: Galesburg, IL - Wall, SD (800 miles)
This was my major day of driving. I headed out at dawn, and then drove for what seemed like forever. Iowa has farms; and after Des Moines, it had rain. It just poured until I made it to South Dakota.
In South Dakota, I went by the corn palace and then drove west some more, coming to the Badlands, just as the sun was setting. Being in the wide-open spaces and seeing the cool structure of the Badlands, made me feel like I was home, I was finally in the West. The east had trees, the Midwest had corn, and the west had big sky. I finally felt like I was home.
I spent the night in Wall, SD, exhausted after such a long drive, and a bit shook up after a deer ran into the back of my car as I was leaving the Badlands (car, deer, and me, all just fine). I slept well.
Day 7: Wall, SD - Boulder, CO (460 miles)
I had breakfast at the famous Wall Drug, before heading out to see Mt. Rushmore.
After a quick stop there, I went down to Crazy Horse. This was an awesome monument. I took the bus tour (and was the only person on it) and enjoyed just checking out the site. I think growing up in California, I was just not really aware of how many tribes of Native Americans there are in the US. The east coast has towns and places named for tribes, the tribes are all over the middle of the country, but I am just starting to glimpse the diversity of tribes.
Then I drove through Wind Cave National Park on my way to Hot Springs, SD and the Mammoth Site. It was great to see the archeology pit and learn more about the great mammals that used to roam the Americas. I really enjoyed the Black Hills and think they are a great American treasure.
I continued south though Wyoming. I loved the cottonwoods that were all turning yellow along the rivers, before making it to my mom's sister’s home in Boulder, CO.
Day 8: Boulder, CO
It was a great day of rest with Aunt Francie. After her Chinese class, we walked down to the mall, checked out her paining at her temple and enjoyed a sunny warm day. The ice cream truck even came by the house while I was sitting on the porch and reading.
That night we went to a movie, the Boys of Baraka. It was a sad look at how the public schools and families are failing. I am lucky for my family and my education.
Day 9: My Birthday in Boulder, CO
Today I turned 33 and had another lovely day in Boulder. It was nice to not drive at all. I went for a walk up on Chautauqua in the morning. I then had lunch with my Uncle Walter down in town.
During the afternoon Francie and I baked me a cake, White Cake, Lemon Curd filling, and butter cream frosting. Yummy.
That night, my friend Kari, another IBM alum, and mom's cousin Sally and her husband came up to Boulder for a family dinner. It was great to catch up with Kari and see Sally.
It was a good birthday.
Day 10: Boulder, CO - Galisteo, NM (425 miles)
After a pancake breakfast, I continued my drive south on 25, until I could not take the traffic anymore. Not since Detroit had I dealt with so many cars. So, I left the interstate for a scenic byway that took me up through Taos. Taos had a wool fair going on. Seeing all the wool made me wish I knew anything about knitting.
In the evening, I made it to Galisteo and my great aunt Moira's home on The Hill. This was the one point of overlap with my Trip East.
Day 11: Galisteo, NM
Today was Moira's daughters wedding. After setting up her backyard, I went out with Frank (the groom) and the best man, on an exploration of the local hogsback and the petroglyphs.
Tersh climbing a tree to hang lights.
The bride and groom.
Bride's brothers.
Ant and Me.
The wedding was just lovely, and then we had a party with the Frank's family, and I got to spend a lot of time with Tilly's brothers.The best part of hanging out was hearing all the stories from Moira about my grandmother Eddie. She may have been 8 years younger, but she had many good things to say about grandma.
Day 12: Galisteo, NM - Cortez, CO (300 miles)
After breakfast with Moira, I headed up to the Colorado Plateau and Cortez, CO. I was going to see Vince and Nancy Lee from my Peru trip. They have a home on the edge of the Canyons of the Ancients.
After my arrival, Nancy and I went into town for her appointments, and I had a wonderful lunch at Let it Grow, a recommendation from the Maid of Honor at the wedding.
Back at the ranch, Vince showed me around, taught me about the Pueblo people (I, II, and III), and showed me his excavations of a Pueblo II kiva.
It was nice to see them and their beautiful home.
Day 13: Cortez, CO - Moab, UT (150 miles, via Hovenweep)
In the morning, I continued on Avenue G toward Hovenweep. Here I bought my National Parks pass, and walked around the Pueblo III site.
After Hovenweep, I headed up to Moab, UT. I loved seeing the Lasal Mountains as I headed into town. After checking into a hotel, I went out to Arches National Park. I think the southwest adds to the vocabulary of beautiful. It was just great to see all the huge natural sandstone structures. Nature is an amazing artist.
That night, I went on the sound and light tour of the canyons, after a cowboy style dutch oven dinner. It was really great food and wonderful to see all the stars. The tour gave me a good lesson on local people and geographic events.
Day 14: Moab, UT - Springdale, UT (350 miles)
This felt like my second longest day, as I visited too much and was on too many scenic routes twisting through mountain sides.. I started the morning checking out Arches at Dawn, and seeing the much photographed delicate arch. I then headed out to Capitol Reef National Park. I really like Capitol Reef. I stopped at a farm in the middle and had strawberry rhubarb pie, and just found the whole place fun.
The trees had turned yellow in Dixie National Park and I felt like I never left national land, as the Grand Staircase National Monument connected with Dixie and all the other sites I visited.
I headed down to Bryce Canyon, or more correctly amphitheater. Getting there took me up through Dixie National Forest (up to 9600 ft). I like the Hoodoos and seeing how nature can create amazing structures.
Then, I drove to Zion and there I fell in love with the grand rocks. I drove through the park and was just in awe. The sun was setting and it was a glorious place to arrive. As I checked into a place, and headed to dinner, the hills were red with the evening light and just gorgeous.
Day 15: Springdale, UT - Death Valley, CA (400 miles, via Hoover Dam)
In the morning, I took the bus up to the top of Zion, and walked along the canyon, seeing weeping rocks and high mountain swamps. I got off at several stops, walking to the Emerald Pools, and just sitting out enjoying the blue sky, sun, trees, and rocks. I felt peaceful and happy.
For the afternoon I headed down to the Hoover Dam. I have wanted to see this civil engineering feat for a while now, and was happy I got to see the dam, the power plan, and a man made wonder. I loved how the dam was done in an art deco style.
Leaving the Dam, I decided I wanted to see Death Valley, so I called for a reservation at the Furnace Creek Ranch and headed into the park. I arrive just as it was dark, which was perfect timing for the weather. I was able to swim in the hot spring pool, and marvel at the desert.
Day 16: Death Valley, CA - Millbrae, CA (450 miles, via Yosemite)
In the morning I headed out to Badwater, the lowest place in the Americas, and then I checked out the sand dunes. I liked Death Valley a lot, but before it got too hot, I winded my way out of it's mountains and headed north. Heading north on the high desert, I saw King's Canyon and Mt. Whitney to my left. I love big mountains.
I then headed west through Yosemite on Tioga Pass to home. Yosemite was like Zion, but in granite instead of sandstone. Another awesome place. It was after leaving the park that it decided to rain. Even with the rain, I was still able to make it home to Millbrae.
I had an awesome trip west. I am so happy I took the time to explore America and the National Parks of the Southwest. 4750 miles and 80 hours of driving later I feel so inspired by my country.
Many pictures from the trip: Trip Pictures
Pictures from the Wedding: Wedding Pictures
