My plans

I'd better tell everyone my plans so you don't wonder what has happened to me when you don't hear from me for a week or more. Tomorrow (Thursday, 29 June) I'm taking the train from Oslo to Otta, Norway (3.5 hour trip). I'm planning to leave some stuff that I don't need for my hiking trip in a locker at the Otta train station. Hopefully I can leave it there for a week or so. Then I'm catching a local bus (#565) that afternoon from Otta to Spiterstulen (via Lom). Spiterstulen is just a hut in Jotunheimen NP, perched right between the 2 highest peaks. I'm planning to camp near the hut for a couple nights and just hang out in the hut in the evenings. Depending on weather and other factors, I'll hike up the two peaks, Galdhopiggen (2469 m) and Glittertind (2452 m), on two consectutive days (Friday and Saturday possibly). So Sunday (July 2) I'll probably hike to another hut, possibly the Fannarakhytta hut, the highest hut in Norway, and do a few more hikes. I'm guessing I'll spend 5-7 days in the national park total before heading back down.

I might then head to the popular fjord, Geirangerfjorden, northwest of Jotunheimen NP. I should be able to email from that area. Eventually I'll make my way back to Otta, reclaim my stuff, and then head up to Trondheim or Bodo by train. Thats my plan for now anyways.

So parents, don't freak out please.

Oslo, Norway

I arrived in Oslo Sunday (25 June) night and checked into my hostel around 11 pm. The sun still hadn't set yet. The others in my room were loud (some stayed up late, others snored horribly) so after trying unsuccessfully Monday morning to find a different hostel (a smaller hostel was mentioned in my book but its now closed) I returned and requested a different room. The new room and roommates were much better.

So after sleeping late and the hostel shuffling, I spent most of the rest of Monday (26 June) trying to finalize plans/transportation for my trip to Jotunheimen National Park. So I spent a good portion of the day running between the bus station, train station, DNT office (think 'Ranger Station'), and the library. I did manage to wonder by the Royal Palace and see a little of Oslo at one point. After a long search for quick and cheap dinner I went back to the hostel and met my roommates then went down to the common area to watch a soccer match. I had hopes of seeing more of Oslo on Tuesday.

Tuesday (27 June) I woke up to rain. There goes my plans of taking a ferry to one of the near by islands for a little beach time. But I needed to do some errands for my trip anyways, namely buying groceries, fuel, and maps. Which all turned out to be very time consuming. I went to several 'gear' shops looking for a couple of dehydrated meals and pricing out the cost of fuel. An 8 oz canister of fuel cost nearly $10. It would cost $4-5 back home. Maps are also very expensive at $20 so I decided to wait and buy a used one off of some body at the hut. Shopping for food for hiking trips is a lot more difficult when you can't read the packaging.....

After the errands and a trip to the library to get caught up on emails (which I wasn't expecting to have to do) I decided to brave the rain and go explore some of the city. I walked around the harbor area and the nearby medieval fortress, Akershus Festning. I also wondered through a cool area called Aker Brygge which has a lot of new modern condos, restaurants, shops, etc. There are some really cool buildings and sculptures there. On my way to find some dinner I stumbled upon this 'festival' where they had some free food and music. So I ate dinner and listened to music in the rain for free for a little while. Then it was back to the hostel where I watched another soccer match. I must say soccer is much more interesting than baseball or basketball to me.

I also decided on Tuesday to stay one more day in Oslo hoping for better weather Wednesday. Well Wednesday (28 June) is here and the skies are cloudy, but at least its not raining.

In Oslo with a plan

I think I have a plan now. On Wednesday (or maybe Thursday) I'll head to Jotunheimen National Park near Lom, Norway. I'll take a train to Otta and then a bus to the Spiterstulen hut. This hut is the main base for hiking up to the highest and second highest mountains in Norway, Galdhopiggen and Glittertind respectively. I think staying at the hut is quite expensive so I will just camp near the hut. I believe there will be lots of people hiking up these two peaks so that will be good since I'm alone. I'll probably spend several days in the park since there are huts and trails all over the place there. After Jotunheimen NP I'll head up to the Lofoten Islands.

Now I better get out and see Oslo while I'm here.

Bergen, Norway

My overnight train from Stockholm to Oslo on Wednesday (21 June) night was 2 hours late arriving into Oslo on Thursday morning so I missed my connecting train to Bergen. On the bright side I did sleep great and it was a nice overnight trip. But as luck would have it, I got a window seat on the next train to Bergen that left 1.5 hours after I arrived in Oslo. Had I caught my original, earlier train, I would have not had a window seat and I would have missed some of the spectular views.

The train ride from Oslo to Bergen was incredible. My only complaint is that is was cloudy so the views were of mountains covered with clouds (it was clear for the return trip though). Really stunning scenery though and on the train ride back I was feeling guilty for not stopping and spending some time between the 2 big cities.

The hostel in Bergen (called Bergen Vandrerhjem YMCA) was great, perhaps the best hostel/town combo so far. The hostel was steps away from the famous fish market (similar in fame to Pike's Place), the tourist information center, grocery stores, a cool climbing shop, the train station, and hiking trails. The hostel itself was really cool too and the people working there were really helpful. I would definitely stay there again. I didn't have much time to do anything on Thursday (22 June) evening when I got to Bergen so I just grabbed dinner and hung out at the hostel.

Friday (23 June) I had big plans to do some major hiking in the hills next to town. So I packed up my bag and headed out. Upon opening the door to leave I discovered drizzle and cloudy skies. My heart sunk. I hate hiking in the rain, but I wasn't just going to sit inside all day either. I put on my rain coat and headed up the almost paved trail to the top of the small mountain (~1000 feet), Mt. Floyen. At the view point on top of the mountain where the funicular, and therefore tourons arrive, I could see nothing except clouds. It was still raining.

After sitting for a bit I decided that it was pointless for me to do any hiking as the views are what make this a hike (the paved and lighted paths hardly make this a wilderness). Upon starting down I decided to take a scenic loop to rejoin my trail down. I started to hear this horn blowing from the fog. A few minutes later a guy popped out of the fog wearing 'viking' clothes and blowing a 'viking' horn. When we met, he said something in Norwegian (as they like to do here), and then in english; "viking market ahead on the left". Well, since I was here....

It wasn't much of a market, even by Viking standards I think. It was really, really weird though. Everyone was dressed in Viking clothes and they had what I guess were supposed to be viking tents and shelters erected. (apparently the Vikings used lots of petroleum-based plastic tarps drapped over their tents and wares to protect from the rain). It was foggy and wet. I took a couple erie photos and continued on. strange place.

My scenic loop ended up taking me higher and surprisingly out of the rain. So I continued on for another hour or so before returning to the view point. By this time the clouds had partially lifted so I was actually able to see something now. The view down to Bergen was great, but the other mountains were still socked in. Lot of tourons had also arrived so I quickly snapped some photos and began the hike down, this time directly down. I had planned to spend the entire day up in the hills exploring but the weather (and my motivations) decided otherwise. So I returned to the hostel feeling a bit defeated.

I didn't do much that afternoon, but early in the evening 3 of us decided to head over to the midsummer's eve fair/celebration. Of course it was raining the entire time we were out as it likes to rain in Bergen (most rain of any place in Europe apparently). Once at the entrance and finding out they wanted 100 NKr (~$17) for the pleasure of standing in the rain to watch a bonfire and be subjected horrible music, we opted to hang out under a roof of a neighboring building and watch the bonfire for free. After a couple of hours we headed back to the hostel.

Saturday (24 June) I spent the morning trying to figure out what my next move was. I had planned to do a 3-4 day hike from Finse to Aurland but the guy at the DNT (similar to WA ranger station) office said there was still a lot of snow on the ground. So being alone, with quite finicky weather, and in unfamiliar terrain I nixed that idea. I was also feeling like my time was getting tight with places and things I want to see later and so I needed to pass on something. Later that afternoon I walked around the fish market which was quite an experience. Unfortunately every stand was selling whale meat and of course this is popular with the tourists. I'm pretty sure they shouldn't be selling whale meat at a commericial fish market. Aren't whales protected from commercial fishing!?

Feeling more than a bit defeated by the weather (it rained every day I was in the Bergen area) I decided to just do the standard tourist trail (described below) back to Oslo on Sunday. This was really a let down for me as I really wanted to do some hiking and camping in the area. I've been carring my camping gear for nearly 3 weeks now without using it!

Sunday (25 June) morning I caught the train to Voss, one of the stops on the Bergen-Oslo line. I had only about 30 minutes to spend walking around Voss before catching the bus to Gudvagen. Voss is a neat, small, lakeside town that I wouldn't have minded staying the night at, but the tickets were already bought. The bus ride down to Gudvagen was pretty incredible. At one point I feel asleep and got mad at myself for doing so! The bus went down these really tight hairpin turns that made me pucker! Next was the ferry from Gudvagen to Flam through this fantastic fjord, Naeroyfjorden, which is a branch of Norway's longest fjord, Sognefjorden. It was an incredible journey even though it rained for at least half the 2-hour trip. I had no idea it rained so much in Western Norway!! Then I had about 2.5 hours to wonder around the small, beautiful, and heavily touristed city of Flam before taking the Flambanan rail journey up to Myrdal. Flam is another town where I would have liked to stay the night. Maybe next time..... In Myrdal I had an hour or so before catching the train on to Oslo. This side trip was incredible and I'm glad I did it (although I never planned on missing it as it is heavily hyped here). All the pictures you see of the fjords and mountains against blue skies is just a scam though!!

At least it was clear for the train ride back to Oslo. When the train stopped at Finse (the highest stop on the Bergen-Oslo rail journey and where I wanted to start my hike from) I was really, really wanting to stay, but that would have cost me a rail travel day and the hostel (in Oslo) deposit. It was a beautiful high alpine village with glaciers (at the same elevation) on the mountains in the background. You can ski year round in Finse and it was just such a beautiful place. I'm definitley going back there some day. I also discovered that some dining cars have huge windows where you can just sit there and glare out at the fantastic scenery if you happen to be stuck in an aisle seat like I was this time. What a great train ride!

I arrived in Oslo late Sunday night, but when I got to the hostel at 11 pm the sun still hadn't set yet! The hostel in Oslo left something to be desired compared to the hostel in Bergen. My roommates were not quite (one snored really loud) and it was overpriced. But I'll probably spend another 2 nights there so I can see Oslo before moving on. The hostel I wanted to stay in is closed for renovations.

Stockholm train station

I'm in the Stockholm train station waiting to catch the night train to Oslo, Norway and then onto Bergen, Norway tomorrow morning. Its going to be a 16-17 hour train journey and I'm actually really looking forward to it! So I have some time to kill before my train departs and I thought I'd update my blog.

Monday (19 June) afternoon I explored the part of Stockholm called Gamla Stan, 'Old Town', by foot and some other parts of downtown Stockholm. That evening I hung out with the Canadian girls, Magda, Maya, and Monika. It was a fine time. I discovered that it doesn't get completely dark in Stockholm this time of year and it actually starts getting lighter just after 1 am.

Tuesday (20 June) I wondered around one of the islands that comprise downtown Stockholm that is mostly a large park. Can't remember what its called at the moment. It was a nice break from all the buildings. It rained a bit that afternoon for I think the first time on my trip. I decided that I've had enough of the big cities for now -- after London, Copenhagen, Goteborg, and Stockholm -- and that it was time to get back to nature, so I reserved a seat on a train taking me all the way to Bergen, Norway which is the main base for exploring the western fjords of Norway. Plus, because the way my rail pass works, its free travel from Norway to Bergen, a trip I was planning to take anyways. So I save a day of rail travel on my pass. Tuesday evening I did some much needed laundry and watched a World Cup match (Sweden vs. England so it was a big match here).

Today, Wednesday (21 June), I was on my way to explore more of downtown Stockholm when I passed by a tour boat. I really wanted to go but it was a bit too much money. I walked away but then turned around to go ask if they had a student discount. They did, so I took it! It was a 1.5 hour tour on a large wooden Viking boat (the largest all wooden boat in Sweden they were fond of reminding us). It was great fun and I'm glad I got to see Stockholm from the water. It was cool because we passed by the park/island I walked around the day before. After the boat tour it was more wondering around and enjoying the city. I was really glad I had this last day here as a couple days ago the plan was to leave this morning. So it all worked out here in Stockholm for me. It started raining in the afternoon though and hasn't stopped.

So that brings me back to the Stockholm train station. I have just over an hour before I can board my train and settle into my bed ready to be rocked to sleep.....

Stockholm, Sweden

One person I met in the hostel in Goteborg had recommended a particular hostel in Stockholm, but as my luck would finally fail me, it was booked solid (probably because it is so highly recommended). Another person in Goteborg mentioned another place which I originally thought was too expensive, but actually was not (guidebook was incorrect). So I had reserved a bed at that hostel for a couple of nights via email from Goteborg. I didn't pay too much attention to the description in the guidebook about part of the hostel being in a retired sail boat that is now anchored off one of the many islands that make up downtown Stockholm.

The train ride from Goteborg to Stockholm on Sunday morning (18 June) was less enjoyable than the first because I kept getting kicked out of my seat since my railpass does not include a seat reservation. Nevertheless, it was still a great deal of fun and I'd rather travel no other way.

Upon check in to the hostel they told me I was in "room 21 on the boat". They also have a hostel on shore that I thought I would end up in, so for some reason it caught me a little off guard that I was "on the boat". Once I walked onboard the boat/hostel I immediately started grinning and didn't stop until I later walked away. It is such a cool hostel!! All the rooms are below deck and topside you can just hang out. Its really freaking cool! The boat itself is almost like a tourist attraction with a few people coming to take pictures (like as I'm standing on the bow) only from the shore of course as you have to be a guest to get on board.

I walked around the island my boat/hostel is anchored on that afternoon just taking in the fantastic views of Stockholm. Early that evening I was sitting out on the bow of the boat enjoying the breeze and views and thinking. I was thinking back through my last trip about how I met people on that trip. I haven't really met anybody on this trip yet that I'd want to exchange email addresses with or travel with for even a day. I must have sat there contemplating my 'situation' for 20 minutes or so. I finally decided that it just happens, somehow. So I walked off the boat and over to the main hostel. Not 2 minutes later I walked in right behind 3 attractive coeds, ironically.

I went up to the hostel's kitchen to see if anyone there new of a close grocery store. The 3 girls were standing there about to cook their dinner so I started talking to them. Ended up hanging out with them the rest of the evening. They were pretty entertaining and we had a good time that evening. They will be here just 1 more night though. But I found the whole situation pretty coincidental.

So I'd say this hostel worked out just fine, considering it was my 3rd choice of hostels and the first 2 fell through.

Goteborg, Sweden

The train ride from Copenhagen to Goteborg was fantastic. I didn't want it to end. Once it did I made my way to the hostel I had reserved a bed at. The hostel was highly recommended in my guide book and it didn't disappoint. This hostel was great, definitely better than either of the ones in Copenhagen. Thursday (15 June) afternoon after checking in, I went to explore the large park behind the hostel. The park was excellent. Lots of peopele there (although not as many as the parks in London or Copenhagen) and some great little trails through the forest and hills the park encompasses. There was a great lookout from atop one of the hills. Atop another hill in the park was a zoo, which was very depressing but I still walked through it all.

That evening I met some people while hanging out in the TV room. It was a good group of interesting people. I started watching the World Cup games (soccer) because that is all anyone watches over here right now and its a way to 'bond', I guess. It was a fine evening. The next day, Friday (16 June), one of the guys from the night before asked if he could tag along with me for the day. I thought the guy was a little annoying but couldn't figure out a way to say no. I thought I would just try to shake him by walking fairly far. Unfortunately he kept up with me most of the day. I did feel hindered and a bit annoyed but oh well. Friday evening was also good for meeting people at the hostel.

Saturday (17 June) I didn't really have any plans as I woke up. I was checking my email that morning and started talking to an Aussie girl (Belinda) I had met the night before. She told me that the Volvo Ocean Race was finishing that day in Goteborg and she was going to that. I decided to tag along since it sounded pretty cool. The Volvo Ocean Race is an around-the-world sail boat race that takes several months to complete. Its the biggest sailboat race in the world and only happens every 4 years. So I couldn't pass on a chance like that so see the finish and all the events surrounding it. So we spent the day walking around the race village and then had great seats on a dock right at the finish line. I've never seen so many boats before. It was fun day. That evening was more world cup watching and chatting with other travelers in the hostel.

Goteborg had been great and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, but it was time to move on as for some reason I was feeling pressured to get 'deeper' into my trip. So Sunday (18 June) morning I caught the train to Stockholm.

Copenhagen - last day

On my last day in Copenhagen (Wednesday, 14 June) it was a little cooler and overcast for most of the day. I just wondered around the town some more, checked out a popular and often photographed cafe-lined street, and also checked out a photo exhibition they had set up outside in one of the squares. I really liked Copenhagen and I'm glad I went. The second hostel I stayed in there, called the Sleep-In Green, was definitely more eccentric than the sterile, hotel-like hostel of the first 2 nights. It was a little 'greasy' and people smoked in the common areas but it wasn't too bad. I didn't really meet any body at either hostel so I was anxious to get to another town and hostel so I could meet some people. I left for Goteborg the next morning (Thursday, 15 June).

Copenhagen

As soon as I landed in the Copenhagen airport it became very apparent that for the rest of my trip things were going to be slightly more difficult. Most of the signs were in English, but not all and that slightly adds to the complication of everything!

I was not quite sure I was on the correct train or where to get off but it all worked out. Found my hostel easily enough (Copenhagen City Hostel) because its 17 stories high! With 1000 beds its the largest hostel in Europe. At first I was impressed. The rooms were spot less as was the attached bathroom. Then I discovered that this hostel must be popular with school groups as there were lots and lots of school kids invading every pocket of the place. It was impossible to meet any body there so after 2 nights I decided to switch to a less sterile place called the Sleep In Green. Tonight will be my first night at this new hostel.

After checking into the large hostel on Monday (12 June) I decided to start exploring Copenhagen. First I walked along the opposite side of the river that my hostel was on. There was a park there that was packed with sun bathers. It was at this point that I began to realize how incredibly attractive Danish women are. I would have never guessed because I've never heard much about Danish women. Everyone is thin too and thats probably why they all wear bikinis! And everyone rides bikes. Everyone. From business types to girls in dresses and flip flops. I'm in heaven here. My jaw drops every time I walk down the street. I wonder what they put in the water here? They have the most beautiful women of any place I've ever been too (so far...). The city is very nice and clean as well and there are lots of condos along the river bank too. It was at this point that I thought, Copenhagen would be a very, very cool place to live if only they had mountains!

After strolling up and then down the river bank, I just began to wonder around the town which is very compact and easy to get around on foot. Its a much smaller scale than London so I just walk every where. By the time I got my bearings of the town and ate dinner, I decided to head back to the hostel.

Tuesday (13 June) I basically just walked around town all morning. Saw the changing of the guards at one small 'palace' and then just explored the river bank, parks, shopping areas, old buildings, palaces, and all. Then I went to the park on the river for some sun and for a dip in the river. Cold and refreshing! Then I headed back to the hostel as I needed to do some laundry.

While I was doing laundry (which the directions and machine were in Danish, of course) I decided to see if one of the other hostels had a bed as I couldn't stand the hotel like feel of the other hostel.

This morning (Wednesday, 14 June) I checked into the new hostel with high hopes of actually meeting some people.

London - day 4

I'm finally in the mood to update my blog so here it goes.

On my 4th and final day in London (Sunday, June 11) I started out walking the other direction (east) along the south bank of the Thames. It was really cool. There were all these cool, new condos that must cost a fortune to live in. Then I came across Tower Bridge. What a sight! Walked across Tower Bridge just as the drawbridge finished lowering to let a large sailboat pass. I wanted to go into the Tower of London, which is the old fort on the north side of the Thames, but for $30 USD it was too much money. Next I made my way to St. Paul's Cathedral. Because it was Sunday it was open to the public for free! Thats good otherwise I would have had to pass on it. Finally I made my way to Regents Park. Another huge park that was absolutely packed with people. I hung out there for a bit before taking the tube back to the hostel.

By the time I walked to the train station on Monday morning to take the train to the airport, I was ready to be out of London. I loved the city, but its huge and there were lots of people there. The tube system is top notch though.

London - Days 2 and 3

On Friday, June 9th, my second day in London, I took the tube from my hostel to the Natural History Museum. It was so cool that I stayed there until they kicked me out and still didn't get to see it all. Then I walked to Hyde Park where Kensington Palace and Gardens are. After eating my dinner in Hyde Park I took the tube back to my hostel. I was tired from the day and the jet lag so I fell asleep fairly early that night (although the music from the bar below my room made that difficult).

On Saturday I got an earlier start having cleared all the jet lag out of my system. I decided to walk everywhere on Saturday and not take the tube. First I did my usual tour along the South Bank to the London Eye. Just across the Thames from the London Eye, which I failed to notice on the first day when I was there, was Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. "Look kids, Big Ben, Parliment". So I walked by those and then by Westmister Abbey. Although all the museums and lot of stuff are free, these big sights aren't and I didn't want to pay $20 to look inside a church, so I passed on anything that required an entrance fee.

Then I walked through St. James Park where there was some big ceremony with lots of people in funny hats and horses prancing around. I later learned this was the changing of the guards! It was quite the ordeal, I thought, to be doing every day! Then I walked by Buckingham Palace, which is pretty impressive looking, and then through Green Park.

I decided to go back to the Natural History Museum and finish seeing it since I enjoyed it so much the day before. I'm glad I did. After I was done there, I walked through Hyde Park again going a different way (its a huge park). I stumbled across the Princess Di Memorial fountain where there were lots and lots of people sun bathing and playing the fountain (its almost like a small water slide or something). That was pretty neat. Then I walked all the way back to my hostel, grabbing dinner from a small grocery store along the way (to make up for my pricey lunch). Then I spent about 4 hours in the hot tub at the hostel last night talking to folks before going to sleep. The hot tub is on the roof and is a pretty cool spot to hang out.

All the parks where packed with people yesterday. It was pretty amazing because there are so many big parks in London!

The hostel I'm staying in, St. Christopher's Village near London Bridge, is pretty nice, but I think its probably over priced. Its fairly clean but could use some work. Its a party hostel too which I'm not really into any more.

For my final day in London I'm not quite sure what I'll see, but I'd better get started.

London - first blog from trip

Yesterday on my first day in London, I went to the Tate Modern museum after checking into my hostel. The Tate is pretty cool (and free!). Then I wondered around the southbank area for several hours before falling asleep in a park near London eye. Its expensive here, which is no surprise! The hostel has cheap beer though. So far, I'm impressed and I like the city. The weather is great so there are lots of people out and about. Lots of tourists too.

Not sure what my plan is for today. I need to go grab lunch and decide what to see.

Road Trip - May 2006

After a couple of days decompressing in Austin from my road trip, I finally have some time to write up a trip report.

I left Everett on Tuesday, May 22nd after over sleeping a couple hours. I missed the traffic any how on the other end of it. I got to Crater Lake NP that evening but there was still a bunch of snow on the ground and it was cloudy so I didn’t stay long. Didn’t feel like camping on the snow, so I drove back down lower to some camp ground north of Klamath Falls, OR.

Got an early start Wednesday and drove to Yosemite. Camp 4 was full so I paid $20 for the pleasure of sleeping among the RVs. I was seriously the only person on my row in a tent. It was depressing. Got up early on Thursday to secure my spot at Camp 4 for 2 more nights.

Yosemite is both the most incredible and most depressing national park I have ever been too. Its so beautiful but then there is all this infrastructure right there in the valley. Hotels with swimming pools, restaurants, housing, and hundreds of RVs all in this gorgeous place. It’s a shame we have to wait until the next ice age for glaciers to come and scrape that valley clean again. The place is impressive though and made me really want to do some climbing there. On Thursday I hiked up to the top of Yosemite Falls. That was a cool hike, but crowded of course. Friday I hiked up to Glacier Point and then on to Sentinal Dome. Such good views from up there. Mesquites were bad in the valley though. I’m in love with the High Sierras now! What an incredible place. I can’t believe I’ve just now made my first trip there. I’ll be back soon to do some climbing.

On my way out of Yosemite early Saturday morning I stopped near this meadow to get a view of El Cap. I walked down this little path into this meadow. What a sight!! There was only 1 other couple there, about 30 feet away from me on a similar path. As the girl turned to walk back to their car, I noticed she looked very familiar (and cute!!). I thought “could it be?” Then I saw the license plates on their car. Colorado. Yep, it was Beth and Tommy standing there in the meadow with me admiring El Cap in the early morning light. Of course they saw it from a different perspective than me….. I said nothing to them as I’m sure they just wanted their time alone.

As I was driving off Beth was standing out side the car. I rolled down my window and said “Beth, I love you. Leave Tommy and come climb 5.6 with me” and then sped away.

I actually didn’t think of that until after I had driven off. I was in a strange mood that morning so I likely would have said that if I had thought about it at the time.

Then I stopped on the south end of Yosemite and did a short hike through one of the Sequoia groves. Those Sequoias are big trees, but we have some pretty big trees over in the Olympics too. It was cool and cold. It snowed a little while I was walking back to the car.

Then I drove down to Sequoia NP and because it was memorial day weekend all the camp sites were full so I had to keep driving. Bummer, it looked like a great place from the road. On the way out of the park I saw a bear from the road. That is my first bear sighting!

I kept driving south and then headed back up into the mountains south of Sequoia NP. There were no Forest service roads on the road I was on so I ended up turning around after a couple hours driving and driving back down. That evening I slept in the front seat of my car at some state park at a lake. Pretty uncomfortable. I was desperate and I would have slept anywhere, but there was nothing!!

Sunday I drove across SoCal to Lake Havasu City, AZ. I knew LHC was a hot spot for spring breakers, so I expected a spring break type atmosphere on this memorial day weekend. Fortunately due to cancellations there were campsites available. I set up my tent and went to the beach. I was not disappointed. The lake was packed. Lots of chicks in bikinis and many wearing much less! It was definitely spring break! Actually worse than spring break according to one person I talked to.

Monday, I packed up and drove to Flagstaff. Checked into a cool hostel there and then had lunch on Ken’s old stomping grounds (Northern AZ University). Used the internet at the library there and walked around the campus and the town. Flagstaff rocks. The weather was perfect and I really dig the town. I’m definitely staying at that hostel again. Lots of travelers there which was cool and the people that worked there were cool too.

Tuesday I drove on down to El Paso, one of the butt holes of Texas, to pick up my Dad at the airport. We then drove a couple hours to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Camped out under perfect stars that night. Wednesday we hiked up to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at ~8,759 feet. Having done the same hike a year and a half ago, it was still a bunch of fun, especially hiking it with my Dad. That evening we drove to this resort ranch that my Dad’s friend is managing right now. He told us that Tommy Lee Jones had been there the night before and we just missed him. On the way there we drove through a Texas-sized thunder storm complete with hail, wind, lots of lightening, and zero-visibility rain. Fun, fun. The ranch was really cool actually, even though they do have some exotic animals you can pay to shoot. Its “that type” of place. Fortunately I didn’t have to witness any of that as it was weighing heavily on my mind as we drove there. Saw a couple of camels on the drive out the next morning.

Thursday we drove over to Big Bend NP and did a hike there that afternoon. The last time my dad was on that trail he had an encounter with a large mountain lion so he pointed out were it all happened. Kind of freaky to be hiking along, alone and run into a mountain lion laying in the trail! I was hoping to run into one myself since there were 2 of us this time but no luck.

Finally on Friday morning we woke up leisurely and made the 8 hour final drive to Austin.

All told, my road trip was 3,274 miles, 65 hours of total driving time, 168 gallons of gas (yikes), and $515 in gas. Averaged around 20 mpg in my jeep seeing as high as 22 mpg on one particular tank, but also as low as 17 mpg on some of the really steep mountain roads. Gas was the cheapest here in Austin at $2.65/gallon I paid $3.45/gallon at one place in CA and saw it for as high as $4/gallon in Sequoia NP. Glad I didn’t have to fill up there!! I don’t think a mile went by that I didn’t feel guilty for driving around in my SUV! That’s a lot of guilt eh?

Its hot here in Austin. Went for a run this morning and nearly died! And it was only 85° at the time! The hotties are still around too. Don’t know what they are putting in the water here, but its working…… Forgot how great Austin is for that. I could never live here again though.

3 days left

Just 3 days left until I fly out. Hope I can get everything taken care of! There is so much to do to put your 'normal' life on hold indefinitely.....