CA -> NY -> FL -> CA
It all began with an engine failure, then turned into an adventure.
Just Go
Thanksgiving 2019, time for my annual trek back to the east coast to see family, eat turkey and visit friends. For the last few years this has been made easy by use of the 182, but this year with a burnt exhaust valve, it was time to hit the road.
In true Jeremy fashion, I didn’t really plan on where to go, I had time to figure that out. From East to West all roads route through Vegas, I had explored much of the Mojave desert and wanted to see something new. The the majority of the plan I had was hit Vegas, turn north east and find a path through the Rockies I hadn’t yet explored. For giggles, while in San Luis Obispo, CA I plugged in my parent’s apartment in Manhattan, NY into my Jeep’s GPS. After a lot of thinking, I just hit the green button and went.
Detour to Zion
So the first part of getting through Vegas went as easily as I don’t remember, and after clearing St. George on I-15N I was itching fro my detour. Hey Look, a sign for Zion, point, turn, go!
Zion, in the Old Testament, the easternmost of the two hills of ancient Jerusalem, which explains why it means “highest point.” Today it's known as the biblical term for the Promised Land, and here in America, that’s what it is. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through the main area of the park, winding it’s way through forest trails and breathtaking red cliffs along the Virgin River.
“There is nothing so American as out National Parks”
Home of the Ho-Made Pies
After passing through Zion it was time to stop for the night, i was tired, and didn’t really know where I was. I stumbled across the Thunderbird Restaurant, Home of the Ho-Made Pies, and stayed the night. Now, about the sign. The founder, Jack Morrison, a war veteran himself, was starting this business when WWII broke out. Wood was scarce when he was erecting this sign, and he opted to shorten the word homemade both to reflect the more country pronunciation of the word, and to shorten the length of wood required to make the sign being respectful to the war effort. It was not until later that the word "ho" got it's current meaning, but the family elected to keep the sign and logo as-is, and I totally respect that. If you’re passing through, this is a great place to stay and they do have great pie.
I continued on, of course this was a trip home to see family, so the random adventure had somewhat of a time limit. I made my way through Rt-12 and stopped for a hike at the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. It’s small but really quite pretty. The short hiking trail takes you through the petrified forest with lots of specimens of very large trees left out in the otherwise desert. I’ve always been curious about the process of petrification and this afforded me another chance to get up close and personal with the rock.
The last bit to explore before hitting the many highway again was the Capitol Reef National Park.
It’s a beautiful place with amazing views along it’s scenic drive. The rock formations are incredible. Every turn on the winding road opens another expansive vista of deep blue skies contrasted to glowing red rocks, in a seemingly endless array of formations. I regret not spending more time here, but I know where it is, and I’ll be back. Onward to Home, Turkey and Friends!
Work Calls
Unfortunately all great adventures seem to end when work calls. While in NY visiting family, I had to meet with customers in Fort Walton Beach, FL. The road-trip there would be less exciting, then the race back to the shop in California less exciting still. Made a new crossing record of 2 days, which is quite a feat in a Jeep Wrangler.