Day Sixteen-Seventeen: Boulder

Any day you climb a mountain is a good one. We stayed in Boulder for two days before driving practically straight home. On the first day, we went around the town, which reminded me of a prettier, more interesting Eugene,…

Day Thirteen: Hannibal

We spent several restful days in Louisville visiting friends and family and touring the Locust Grove mansion, which is a three-story colonial mansion where revolutionary war hero George Rogers Clark lived. I learned that the reason we use the word…

Day 10: Memphis

The Mississippi Delta was shining Like a national guitar (Pool in the hotel) I am following the river Down the highway Through the cradle of the civil war, I’m going to Graceland Graceland In Memphis Tennessee (Beale Street in downtown…

Day Nine: Oxford

When you read a lot, certain places can become somewhat mythical in your mind. Years later when you finally go to these places in real life, they either delight you by exceeding your expectations or disappoint you by being far…

Day Seven: New Orleans

Quick Facts: Miles traveled: 70 Hotel: Richelieu Hotel in the French District of New Orleans Gas prices in the last four states: Roughly $2.89 Landscapes: Spindly trees and swamps, yet somehow still pretty Disappointments: Not getting to go on a…

Day Five: Austin

I wanted to go to Austin because of Reality Bites. I loved that movie in high school–Winona Ryder smoking cigarettes in her Austin apartment, hanging out with her cool friends, dealing with crisis of conscience like should she date Michael,…

Texas Tripped Me Out

Here’s how: The sky is insanely big: At one point we were watching a sunset that went on 360 degrees around us. It was like being under a dome of sunset. Sample picture: The grass is insanely green: Really, it’s…

Day Three: Santa Fe

Quick Facts: Distance traveled: 235 miles Hotel: Garrett’s Desert Inn, which has a hotel shaped like a chile pepper Number of Torrential Downpours: Two Dinner: Ore House, featuring Southwestern fare Souvenirs purchased: Two pretty bowls and a beaded barrette Santa…

Day Two: Gallup

Quick Facts: Distance Traveled: 436 miles Lunch: Cracker Barrel, Kyle’s favorite restaurant Books Listened To: Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson Altitude: 6,000 feet Scary Thunderstorms Traveled Through: One Hotel: Red Roof Inn in Gallup, New…