May 2026-1. We Hit the Road...Maybe
April 25-27, 2026
We finally got on the road on May 10, 2026. Finally?
The goal was to head out in early April for the southern border to explore some of our old haunts: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Bisbee, and Douglas, Arizona; Big Bend National Park and perhaps Corpus Christi, Texas, for Doug to visit the USS Lexington, the carrier he first landed a jet on. Later than that and it would be too hot.
But Marilyn "decided" to undergo two outpatient surgeries in April. So, we had more time at home to enjoy our yard.
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Two weeks after Marilyn's 2nd surgery, we were ready to go. Our direction was north, not south...huh? Well, we went to enjoy going watching granddaughter Leah play softball.
Then we drove further north to watch grandson Hudson play baseball.
Then we headed west for a couple of days with Stephen and Jessie, Marilyn's younger son and wife, and dog, Rio.
And it became apparent that Marilyn wasn't yet read for the road, so we drove south to home.
Finally, May 10, 2026, we resumed our trip. Thought we'd give you a summary first:
• Length: 3,578 miles, 19 days
• 7 States visited: California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon. Amazingly, we encircled but were never in Nevada
• Dirt roads: Doug estimates only 120 miles. Some were gnarly.
• Campgrounds: 9
• Boondock sites: 5
• A real bed & shower: 1, at Marilyn's brother's in Meridian, Idaho
• Fauna & Flora: deer, elk, cows, horses, goats, sheep, birds, wildflowers, no see-ums, gnats
• Roadkill - a record number: 6 deer, 2 porcupine
California: 1) Visalia (home). 2. Stockton. 3) Davis. 4) San Rafael. Arizona: 5) Oatman. 6) Grand Canyon. 7) Monument Valley. Utah: 8) Mexican Hat. 9) Goosenecks State Park. 10) Moki Dugway. 11) Comb Wash. 12) Valley of the Gods. New Mexico: 13) Buffalo Pass. 14) Ship Rock. 15) Kirtland. 16) Aztec Ruins National Monument. Colorado: 17) Durango. 18) Silverton. 19) Ouray. Utah: 20) Green River. 21) Hells Backbone Rd. 22) Posey Lake Campground. 23) Escalante. 24) Burr Trail Switchbacks. 25) Torrey. 26) Hill AFB FamCamp. Idaho: 27) Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve 28) Meridian. Oregon: 29) Goose Lake Campground. California: 30) Burney Falls CA.
We finally got on the road on May 10, 2026. Finally?
The goal was to head out in early April for the southern border to explore some of our old haunts: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Bisbee, and Douglas, Arizona; Big Bend National Park and perhaps Corpus Christi, Texas, for Doug to visit the USS Lexington, the carrier he first landed a jet on. Later than that and it would be too hot.
But Marilyn "decided" to undergo two outpatient surgeries in April. So, we had more time at home to enjoy our yard.
Tulip trees. Buddha & cyclamen. St Elmo's Fire.
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Did someone say "enjoy"? Doug spread 11 cubic yards of mulch, wheelbarrow & shovel by wheelbarrow & shovel.
The results of Doug's labor were stunning.
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Daffodils & monster sunflowers. Calendulas & freesia.
Bearded iris from Sutton's Iris Gardens in Meridian ID.
Then Doug decided to remove some of the mulch & some dirt, construct a border & add DG to create an awesome sitting area.
Two weeks after Marilyn's 2nd surgery, we were ready to go. Our direction was north, not south...huh? Well, we went to enjoy going watching granddaughter Leah play softball.
Granddaughter Leah & Coach Dad, Marilyn's son Andrew.
Then we drove further north to watch grandson Hudson play baseball.
Grandson Hudson at the plate. Often he is behind the plate catching.
Then we headed west for a couple of days with Stephen and Jessie, Marilyn's younger son and wife, and dog, Rio.
Stephen, Jessie, & Rio.
Finally, May 10, 2026, we resumed our trip. Thought we'd give you a summary first:
• Length: 3,578 miles, 19 days
• 7 States visited: California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon. Amazingly, we encircled but were never in Nevada
• Dirt roads: Doug estimates only 120 miles. Some were gnarly.
• Campgrounds: 9
• Boondock sites: 5
• A real bed & shower: 1, at Marilyn's brother's in Meridian, Idaho
• Fauna & Flora: deer, elk, cows, horses, goats, sheep, birds, wildflowers, no see-ums, gnats
• Roadkill - a record number: 6 deer, 2 porcupine
May 2026 Trip
California: 1) Visalia (home). 2. Stockton. 3) Davis. 4) San Rafael. Arizona: 5) Oatman. 6) Grand Canyon. 7) Monument Valley. Utah: 8) Mexican Hat. 9) Goosenecks State Park. 10) Moki Dugway. 11) Comb Wash. 12) Valley of the Gods. New Mexico: 13) Buffalo Pass. 14) Ship Rock. 15) Kirtland. 16) Aztec Ruins National Monument. Colorado: 17) Durango. 18) Silverton. 19) Ouray. Utah: 20) Green River. 21) Hells Backbone Rd. 22) Posey Lake Campground. 23) Escalante. 24) Burr Trail Switchbacks. 25) Torrey. 26) Hill AFB FamCamp. Idaho: 27) Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve 28) Meridian. Oregon: 29) Goose Lake Campground. California: 30) Burney Falls CA.
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