tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-171219602024-02-15T02:29:07.869-08:00MacgellanMacgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.comBlogger901125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-20240980293769392242019-10-15T17:43:00.000-07:002019-10-15T17:43:25.754-07:00US95: Another US Highway Without EndIs there proper US95 "End" or "Begin" signage at the border with Canada? In a word, no.<br />
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The Eastport port of entry is all business, dominated by substantial facilities of both the US and Canada. There were only a few vehicles, almost all of them trucks, most of those transporting cattle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDemeCFK1CAem-1we4EP0mhCiKycVmNRdle7LTxc2LoA-5rBjeWFiAEPpAdgrj6RQudLfA3aY6XMSpkiFX8OaJ2_HTi_FZgFh-CqXXoFDmiOzKBiwCwLQwIyC8xdM0KwuSRVUmg/s1600/US95NoEnd+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDemeCFK1CAem-1we4EP0mhCiKycVmNRdle7LTxc2LoA-5rBjeWFiAEPpAdgrj6RQudLfA3aY6XMSpkiFX8OaJ2_HTi_FZgFh-CqXXoFDmiOzKBiwCwLQwIyC8xdM0KwuSRVUmg/s640/US95NoEnd+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8D5Pkb2cu6kVlISoRbMm_7x9u_VICY8Hr8B6d0jP15ZMVPqtAYRCUS-aHagiSJAN2XsIgebA9hPmDvbXBn0N81qb39CCKK9jpVMYt8RWE_5283E-MZ2wlC100dO2G8GePiDf3Q/s1600/US95NoEnd+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8D5Pkb2cu6kVlISoRbMm_7x9u_VICY8Hr8B6d0jP15ZMVPqtAYRCUS-aHagiSJAN2XsIgebA9hPmDvbXBn0N81qb39CCKK9jpVMYt8RWE_5283E-MZ2wlC100dO2G8GePiDf3Q/s640/US95NoEnd+-+2.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9QF1_ZQQ2NPszrSwdEqufEzP29bLRqHKWmpmeMMDw89nzviWgmoa27NqDs0EyEENvK19zOFmbDu0EvHbgHtZw3fS0SxDNj8ZDzCxoYy_0ZQ9imZyEYNUYLnNqm1SP34gdoUycQ/s1600/US95NoEnd+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9QF1_ZQQ2NPszrSwdEqufEzP29bLRqHKWmpmeMMDw89nzviWgmoa27NqDs0EyEENvK19zOFmbDu0EvHbgHtZw3fS0SxDNj8ZDzCxoYy_0ZQ9imZyEYNUYLnNqm1SP34gdoUycQ/s640/US95NoEnd+-+3.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wh4xMGLSTWdtjN2aPpoHWhOF8K8X1f8ZQaqwyV2zCF9kJ1uTssc2pbeb1CADWRqrzuuv54ooqIXLJpENcAYt_avg-AH-gh-bCderJrnSn_Xkgq-oYKrY0_Us3jNr8c7RTsw-Kw/s1600/US95NoEnd+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wh4xMGLSTWdtjN2aPpoHWhOF8K8X1f8ZQaqwyV2zCF9kJ1uTssc2pbeb1CADWRqrzuuv54ooqIXLJpENcAYt_avg-AH-gh-bCderJrnSn_Xkgq-oYKrY0_Us3jNr8c7RTsw-Kw/s400/US95NoEnd+-+4.jpg" width="240" height="400" data-original-width="768" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>There is no town at the border, of any kind on either side. Besides customs and border control facilities, there's a post office, though I have no idea why it is there. There is also a duty free shop, which seems to be ubiquitous at borders. <br />
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Now, down to the big question: No, there is no "End" sign for US95 at the border. In fact, heading north, the last sign of any kind is quite a ways down the road to the south. <br />
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Immediately upon entering from Canada, this sign provides a pointer to the south. I guess it's too much to ask to have it embellished with "South" and "Begin."<br />
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After finding so much proper signage at the southern border, I was disappointed not to find any at the northern border. Such is life, right?<br />
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In brief summary, I have only marginally enjoyed driving US95 from border to border. It's a useful commercial corridor, but short on points of interest for the rest of us.<br />
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The geography is interesting, of course, as it must be since it spans desert to farmland to woodland to mountains. It has that in common with my previous transits of US93 and US191, but doesn't do it in nearly as enjoyable a fashion.<br />
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That said, it's possible that I've driven so many of these roads that I've lost my appreciation for them. Considering how many previous routes I crossed on this drive, it's also possible that I've reached my limit on end-to-end US Highway drives. <br />
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One of these days, I'll post a map showing all the road trips I've done in the last 10 years. I suspect it will shock all of us... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-18052736959965599632019-10-15T16:21:00.000-07:002019-10-15T17:02:28.754-07:00US95: Idaho PanhandleHeading north out of Lewiston, ID, US95 is a long, steep climb up from the river valley. Considering the size of the valley, one can only try to imagine how big the rivers must once have been. This is an area of spectacular geologic history, one which makes me wish (again!) that I knew more about it. Eventually, you get up onto the great plateau and are faced with endless vistas of wheat farms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgjVOvt0Imdr3lkWZ1ktKsvAG5FD7aXTFcRggAHXEQuEHoDNu51i6GMc3Dtrs74PQhtg0AZonn_Vz05V4vHMPCzX5Eqo68-RmrLireh0hYuqhcbeikFtD25ozL-vJL0QTq9qIQQ/s1600/US95Panhandle+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgjVOvt0Imdr3lkWZ1ktKsvAG5FD7aXTFcRggAHXEQuEHoDNu51i6GMc3Dtrs74PQhtg0AZonn_Vz05V4vHMPCzX5Eqo68-RmrLireh0hYuqhcbeikFtD25ozL-vJL0QTq9qIQQ/s640/US95Panhandle+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznnroFJx_v8tGanZGFEnvh4Gr2yOHkw5YNCdfQ5EQbJGrUCIsZxgBWkoGGkFlwcWUPltjFQyoWYZHP-1R6DJ5uGKx76ebgPShqQzEVj8P9DhkC4ngu_tuiuO-Vc_vZu0jgiorfg/s1600/US95Panhandle+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznnroFJx_v8tGanZGFEnvh4Gr2yOHkw5YNCdfQ5EQbJGrUCIsZxgBWkoGGkFlwcWUPltjFQyoWYZHP-1R6DJ5uGKx76ebgPShqQzEVj8P9DhkC4ngu_tuiuO-Vc_vZu0jgiorfg/s320/US95Panhandle+-+2.jpg" width="158" height="320" data-original-width="238" data-original-height="483" /></a></div>Considering the relatively small amount of geographic land mass that Idaho has to offer for growing wheat, it is pretty impressive that the state ranks sixth in the nation for production. At nearly 100 million bushels, Idaho ranks between Oklahoma and Colorado.<br />
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I must admit that I have always been intrigued by the state of Idaho, especially its western border. The state is so long north/south that it spans both Washington and Oregon. As a consequence, it has an unusually broad diversity related to its wide range of latitude. From desert in the south to woodland in the north, there's a lot to appreciate and enjoy. Hells Canyon is a "must visit" for everyone.<br />
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Just north of wheat country, US95 joins another of our old friends, <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US2" target="_blank">US2</a>, for a lengthy run up into timber country. Like the rest of US95, from its origin at the Mexico border, the road here is a transportation conduit. Due to the geography of nearby mountains, the truck and train routes are very closely located.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GBKdV-aYMQjHFXXv2bx34fw5dmZvqjPdZCQRbTZdD8D6EkDeXXnXWZ8Na8IIur7NCjUt_I1kECG3GY21ErXFLXMn68UhtvkQ8hE_AH7-mdiRay4EPUb1xGdc5LrHD364RIaSxQ/s1600/US95Panhandle+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GBKdV-aYMQjHFXXv2bx34fw5dmZvqjPdZCQRbTZdD8D6EkDeXXnXWZ8Na8IIur7NCjUt_I1kECG3GY21ErXFLXMn68UhtvkQ8hE_AH7-mdiRay4EPUb1xGdc5LrHD364RIaSxQ/s640/US95Panhandle+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Just a few miles from the border, a scenic overlook offers a spectacular vista into Canada.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX1kCwNog-sf86mQbKn8rMNhnxkM72FDIiopX09nyAd5UUtb36apBP1Lqi8coHNZM5qgvxfbYTvsCcdj-QK8tgZyuzNIKORPfRqSl0vcHNWYKctiVocr3_RuuPTE_rBfeGgxxHg/s1600/US95Panhandle+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX1kCwNog-sf86mQbKn8rMNhnxkM72FDIiopX09nyAd5UUtb36apBP1Lqi8coHNZM5qgvxfbYTvsCcdj-QK8tgZyuzNIKORPfRqSl0vcHNWYKctiVocr3_RuuPTE_rBfeGgxxHg/s640/US95Panhandle+-+4.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="719" /></a><br />
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Is there proper US95 "End" and "Begin" signage at the border? You'll just have to wait and see... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-19851495637995207592019-10-14T20:34:00.000-07:002019-10-14T20:34:04.167-07:00US95: Western IdahoIt was a pretty morning as we started our drive north on US95 in western Idaho, more or less paralleling the Snake River. It was fun to drive curves and hills after so many straights in the desert.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8yBK5r5rfFU4bi8OV6e2EXEX7RY_t3tj-gjCIQ87dmVVfpxM58HQA4nyTQH2Za4-6sM4OaamEdS0WglOMCc-Sq5yxYLhmMvPMUiyps9jthADK5nl-pgMId8d0w0m_GVA3ISodQ/s1600/US95WIdaho+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8yBK5r5rfFU4bi8OV6e2EXEX7RY_t3tj-gjCIQ87dmVVfpxM58HQA4nyTQH2Za4-6sM4OaamEdS0WglOMCc-Sq5yxYLhmMvPMUiyps9jthADK5nl-pgMId8d0w0m_GVA3ISodQ/s640/US95WIdaho+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="511" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMekutuIPf8J2_941PF-84gSZadSjcaCg6DMaznKv_bUPipjTP3RsZdTT8E7tQZwXnpUP6LptLCWDncmca6J5FPeoPqirIaMKWQr0G-03P2vf2mbaGFGV5Dlz5LNwTCXIgwcQo-Q/s1600/US95WIdaho+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMekutuIPf8J2_941PF-84gSZadSjcaCg6DMaznKv_bUPipjTP3RsZdTT8E7tQZwXnpUP6LptLCWDncmca6J5FPeoPqirIaMKWQr0G-03P2vf2mbaGFGV5Dlz5LNwTCXIgwcQo-Q/s400/US95WIdaho+-+2.jpg" width="300" height="300" data-original-width="899" data-original-height="899" /></a></div>For about the first hundred miles, we drove through a series of passes, valleys and small towns. Wash, rinse, repeat.<br />
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Just as I was appreciating the abundance of flora, I saw one of my favorite signs coming up. The lack of traffic allowed me to come to an abrupt stop and take a photo.<br />
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As you probably know if you've been following this log over the years, I'm generally happiest at latitudes above 45 degrees. Color me happy!<br />
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In due course, we started a long, sustained climb. The already pleasing scenery was enhanced by spots of fall color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzinocZPQKb1lKvLmWSoEZ7AnrFf1-8O3lrUZBDS3wouvpJ39nlEtVgXNl2MsNA_qOZZ-gVq7mAqbAI8VRGeLIf7DMr-10miYAKowf0nOMOm0Wy0qLKaKvyHoaR6T29IYhoM0SyA/s1600/US95WIdaho+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzinocZPQKb1lKvLmWSoEZ7AnrFf1-8O3lrUZBDS3wouvpJ39nlEtVgXNl2MsNA_qOZZ-gVq7mAqbAI8VRGeLIf7DMr-10miYAKowf0nOMOm0Wy0qLKaKvyHoaR6T29IYhoM0SyA/s640/US95WIdaho+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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In the town of Riggins, ID, we stopped for a break, right where the Salmon River meets with US95. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkrVRpepqKEUoAHK1dtTYENJeq6LJLJ4dB_VfoD4ne2obj-6bOONWpwRHr1toc4jM1D7IHRuswJfI8FRqLiJlfWjpWuO0lOjHZBeo88CCkekg8YNwNdZqe7Cs4P58pD04joICKg/s1600/US95WIdaho+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkrVRpepqKEUoAHK1dtTYENJeq6LJLJ4dB_VfoD4ne2obj-6bOONWpwRHr1toc4jM1D7IHRuswJfI8FRqLiJlfWjpWuO0lOjHZBeo88CCkekg8YNwNdZqe7Cs4P58pD04joICKg/s640/US95WIdaho+-+4.jpg" width="576" height="432" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a><br />
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From there, it was a long, steady downhill run along the river. Sometimes we were at river level, but other times we were above it. Eventually, we broke off on our own, traversing the terrain northwest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvOn3sgpjgaeRk43R7bUJNWe6qJUC3vAnn8-lsBQYv9KSJevFYzV_DTsbDmLAKrBV6LZRsLj-ApZ1beeiFwF1aCpXscA9UvdhYvLXiv4dm2EJeimBmiT1w-HvlASGxCI-QG86Jg/s1600/US95WIdaho+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvOn3sgpjgaeRk43R7bUJNWe6qJUC3vAnn8-lsBQYv9KSJevFYzV_DTsbDmLAKrBV6LZRsLj-ApZ1beeiFwF1aCpXscA9UvdhYvLXiv4dm2EJeimBmiT1w-HvlASGxCI-QG86Jg/s640/US95WIdaho+-+5.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_hSMGOZ0CfMtFYIb2O9geDX4R_PkO3SoLO_4lxzT6lc7otkFfoDL9enXJnNqNhsIzONy_2P-4rIx83yZQSKwtycdO2J84cRlmzAfOf7Ct5IBw_KrRx68Vp2eQURZJOHJTABBng/s1600/US95WIdaho+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_hSMGOZ0CfMtFYIb2O9geDX4R_PkO3SoLO_4lxzT6lc7otkFfoDL9enXJnNqNhsIzONy_2P-4rIx83yZQSKwtycdO2J84cRlmzAfOf7Ct5IBw_KrRx68Vp2eQURZJOHJTABBng/s400/US95WIdaho+-+6.jpg" width="314" height="236" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="236" /></a></div>Approaching Lewiston, ID, we ran into another old friend, US12 which we drove two years ago. By my count, that's at least a half-dozen previous highways that we have new crossed this drive.<br />
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Lewiston is a lovely little city, nestled in the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake rivers. Definitely worth a visit whenever you have the chance.<br />
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Tomorrow morning we will continue north on US95, possibly getting to the Canadian border... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-55232527748448286802019-10-13T06:59:00.000-07:002019-10-13T06:59:16.282-07:00US95: Desert Departure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmQ38SAhVWTFmtWBj8ZumDfJ7JFItIhotu2k2XpVDhu4DaXkm2XshH706S6JfqIf4qBUANpew70YqOZ8AsZT5VY1GzrTCidbzPN_M_EJD5XqPY4QsK9EBLnG-p2Eh4KDSPaRvMQ/s1600/US95DesertDepart+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmQ38SAhVWTFmtWBj8ZumDfJ7JFItIhotu2k2XpVDhu4DaXkm2XshH706S6JfqIf4qBUANpew70YqOZ8AsZT5VY1GzrTCidbzPN_M_EJD5XqPY4QsK9EBLnG-p2Eh4KDSPaRvMQ/s400/US95DesertDepart+-+1.jpg" width="280" height="210" data-original-width="418" data-original-height="314" /></a></div>It was a crispy 19 degrees when Happy and I went for our morning walk in Winnemucca, NV. For those of you keeping track, that's an 80 degree swing in two days.<br />
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The rapid change is attributable to three primary factors: higher latitude, higher altitude and an arctic high pressure area over the northwest.<br />
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I put on a couple of extra layers to deal with it, but Happy was obviously pleased about being back in her natural temperature range. <br />
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Continuing north, it was clear we were still in the Great Basin desert, though the addition of some greenery indicated we might be approaching our desert departure. Sometimes, hope is all you have.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-r_Pk2_qScsfGLMrGJf73DzRQ3mOftlf8fUrWKUPiJKnZN4ICwEur621wDKPD8Etwsc7RZseyUKJNLbMxUvPA7O3zRMvcEA8i9vbUZ4G2nHAEHzxd81-a9czEyf0UW_1uSeN7lA/s1600/US95DesertDepart+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-r_Pk2_qScsfGLMrGJf73DzRQ3mOftlf8fUrWKUPiJKnZN4ICwEur621wDKPD8Etwsc7RZseyUKJNLbMxUvPA7O3zRMvcEA8i9vbUZ4G2nHAEHzxd81-a9czEyf0UW_1uSeN7lA/s640/US95DesertDepart+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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By the mid-point of our driving day, we had crossed into Oregon and climbed up onto the Columbia Plateau. That led us to the Snake River and its surrounding plain, where things started to green up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQPbR-hq1-3cqthRLZVFj6up441fsE-SMlasEhkmKmapZlVeddAjUjAwe-kxDy_Ot2NvrbnRe4_X3A9cCL2v5HJmX5Ej1jJThkZU-NLqe0exCarUMOijXMOZqfywUoLpxr6DYnA/s1600/US95DesertDepart+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQPbR-hq1-3cqthRLZVFj6up441fsE-SMlasEhkmKmapZlVeddAjUjAwe-kxDy_Ot2NvrbnRe4_X3A9cCL2v5HJmX5Ej1jJThkZU-NLqe0exCarUMOijXMOZqfywUoLpxr6DYnA/s640/US95DesertDepart+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Before we stopped for the day, we crossed another couple of our old US Highway friends: <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US20" target="_blank">US20</a> and <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US30" target="_blank">US30</a> which we drove back in 2012 and 2013. Those road trips seem like a lifetime ago!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqNMhXhb2cEoV8VZdktAjcssKPkdFNKaH3UD0NjqN5iNvkEZdxg-lJq1uKvg7ShpOLJDgP63IWEu8G50boO_QyYM3lP7zJ6iql103imZ5iQfILPOY32M0Xb-1YOyEOXF8gqYKBQ/s1600/US95DesertDepart+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqNMhXhb2cEoV8VZdktAjcssKPkdFNKaH3UD0NjqN5iNvkEZdxg-lJq1uKvg7ShpOLJDgP63IWEu8G50boO_QyYM3lP7zJ6iql103imZ5iQfILPOY32M0Xb-1YOyEOXF8gqYKBQ/s640/US95DesertDepart+-+4.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="292" data-original-height="219" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7ZPB0w4HBhpAw45Oonoj7RXivDn0a-u5CvMN80F0alNs5tqRjh3Up9RA91Xd82gii8sOjiEiWLwNHQqOMiv_iP77Q2zTUICWeEXZwyn07X2sSoIVs2zFMphHxzEJluYO6iJtrA/s1600/US95DesertDepart+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7ZPB0w4HBhpAw45Oonoj7RXivDn0a-u5CvMN80F0alNs5tqRjh3Up9RA91Xd82gii8sOjiEiWLwNHQqOMiv_iP77Q2zTUICWeEXZwyn07X2sSoIVs2zFMphHxzEJluYO6iJtrA/s640/US95DesertDepart+-+5.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="289" data-original-height="218" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikUKWeYv_Qm_EA9_8N42jx0RQJiLFFkpFwde3jcLi7_dVPHfPaoDJCwo3iSCO9qfjM-bOXwvm3nDl5FxNeIySxukpg3Z4ufUdaetx6mqDhIkfSUkAhdkEJEzqDO9P1cSfx1qsAg/s1600/US95HappyGrass+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikUKWeYv_Qm_EA9_8N42jx0RQJiLFFkpFwde3jcLi7_dVPHfPaoDJCwo3iSCO9qfjM-bOXwvm3nDl5FxNeIySxukpg3Z4ufUdaetx6mqDhIkfSUkAhdkEJEzqDO9P1cSfx1qsAg/s400/US95HappyGrass+-+1.jpg" width="300" height="300" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>We stopped for the day in Ontario, OR, and plan to take a day off here. I'm ready for a break from driving and the chance to watch a Seahawks game.<br />
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Happy is obviously thrilled to be back on grass for doing her business. She has been a very good sport as always about peeing on rocks and gravel, but greenery is by far her preferred canvas!<br />
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Looking at the map, we are only two or three stints from reaching the Canadian border on US95. The weather forecast looks pretty good, so let's hope we complete our trip with ease... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-15380607909799957872019-10-11T18:30:00.000-07:002019-10-11T18:30:10.357-07:00US95: Northern Great BasinTonopah, NV, was once a robust silver mining town, but today seems to basically be a travel plaza. It is so remotely located in the middle of the Great Basin desert, that many travelers make a stop for fuel and/or overnight like me. This photo speaks volumes about that reality and my day on the road. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp1Oy4-di2TXaxpYNU1wv6oGFbLjKawaqsL2rS3Xpg4Y4mCu9SIT92O6NLRy9UTNMRMx7QqCd-XiZfdFLazsmXuJM7vgT4SPP2p3WjweJD5QF54GvsYtNcpUv41RMCxoBjEOYig/s1600/US95NGBasin+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp1Oy4-di2TXaxpYNU1wv6oGFbLjKawaqsL2rS3Xpg4Y4mCu9SIT92O6NLRy9UTNMRMx7QqCd-XiZfdFLazsmXuJM7vgT4SPP2p3WjweJD5QF54GvsYtNcpUv41RMCxoBjEOYig/s640/US95NGBasin+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="511" /></a><br />
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Heading north out of Tonopah, US95 is co-signed with US6 for about 40 miles. The road is good, traffic is light and the desert is immense. Even at high speeds, the mountains seem unreachable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsizliV8lVu7IPdXlgCCAnlW8_U5R7aao6IXBTSe2vahyVGTdsi1yvcXizkaC5uaVVPA0UC_9Ddwbh9TZhB__4g6KLN-6a5qb0rxGGYYjkfyd25b6w-KGoyEoanwx5zG2uazGRQ/s1600/US95NGBasin+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsizliV8lVu7IPdXlgCCAnlW8_U5R7aao6IXBTSe2vahyVGTdsi1yvcXizkaC5uaVVPA0UC_9Ddwbh9TZhB__4g6KLN-6a5qb0rxGGYYjkfyd25b6w-KGoyEoanwx5zG2uazGRQ/s640/US95NGBasin+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Turing north away from US6, it's still 60 miles of nothing but desert and distant mountains before reaching Hawthorne, NV. I don't think I saw so much as an historical marker on the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5YFSWIueNcoa_KVMNrJrk_sS2k05q41DSeMTm8saNtbCdv_J05Bx1FoOlAD1perYtEXYlpByO2NOXYztfGF_vzjm8AKO5CSCLpsvTzWj55EaNsObdJAqnc9vgc8g9qlXIfsZwQ/s1600/US95NGBasin+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5YFSWIueNcoa_KVMNrJrk_sS2k05q41DSeMTm8saNtbCdv_J05Bx1FoOlAD1perYtEXYlpByO2NOXYztfGF_vzjm8AKO5CSCLpsvTzWj55EaNsObdJAqnc9vgc8g9qlXIfsZwQ/s640/US95NGBasin+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Approaching Hawthorne, I saw thousands of low structures in the desert, which a quick search indicated are ammunition storage bunkers for the US Army. There's a huge military installation in Hawthorne – covering some 226 square miles – that you can easily research if you are interested.<br />
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Leaving Hawthorne, I got stuck in a very long line of vehicles following a slow moving, immensely oversized vehicle. The 80 miles north to Fallon, NV, were a mind-numbing two hour stint!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw2sC2DQvbj_3awNC2canacnwLYfzqHZ8k9B7iTBdmZacrpjE4-Z8Vcxm5bx_Ch3x1qGWLED8uwiICP-B5u07jyQG8saaKMPEmJk8NCniSsGkfs7sxh-PQuI3nI9E-gDpxwHryg/s1600/US95NGBasin+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw2sC2DQvbj_3awNC2canacnwLYfzqHZ8k9B7iTBdmZacrpjE4-Z8Vcxm5bx_Ch3x1qGWLED8uwiICP-B5u07jyQG8saaKMPEmJk8NCniSsGkfs7sxh-PQuI3nI9E-gDpxwHryg/s400/US95NGBasin+-+4.jpg" width="300" height="149" data-original-width="868" data-original-height="429" /></a></div>Fallon, NV, is rightly called "The oasis of Nevada" due to it being at least partially green with a little bit of agriculture. I have stayed there before and found it hospitable.<br />
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It's also the point where US95 crosses my old friend <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US50" target="_blank">US50.</a> I took a moment to reflect on my first time crossing the Great Basin, grabbed a bite to eat and hit the road again.<br />
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Within a mile north of Fallon, you are fully back in the desert, only glad that you are making progress toward the end of it. Today was my third day-long stint, hopefully with only one more to go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlomfY0F2-sckTaRFh0wKFfyv1htAuTyPMh0dX2XPpPjJGfM82VZe_Q8-P0XJSyahws60Xdz4HVYT8FDMa-WOBSajpgVCEtWYAnhrbyglsTmvKRkn3eMX0mEj5k3pGcN7jyWAlRQ/s1600/US95NGBasin+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlomfY0F2-sckTaRFh0wKFfyv1htAuTyPMh0dX2XPpPjJGfM82VZe_Q8-P0XJSyahws60Xdz4HVYT8FDMa-WOBSajpgVCEtWYAnhrbyglsTmvKRkn3eMX0mEj5k3pGcN7jyWAlRQ/s640/US95NGBasin+-+5.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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About 35 miles north of Fallon, US95 joins I-80 for a very high speed 100 miles to Winnemucca, NV, where I have stopped for the night. If all goes well, I will cross the border into Oregon tomorrow and finally make my way out of the Northern Great Basin... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-66862484666892374992019-10-10T16:27:00.002-07:002019-10-10T16:27:50.720-07:00US95: Hi-DesertAfter a week of near-100 degree days in the desert, it was a bit of a shock to walk my dog this morning with a temp in the 40s and a biting wind chill factor. Apparently, winter arrived overnight.<br />
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As usual, it took almost an hour to clear the immensely sprawling Las Vegas area, but then we were back in the desert. A few years ago, I drove <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/2017/11/us93-great-basin-highway.html" target="_blank">US93</a> north through the eastern side of the Great Basin. US95 traverses the western edge of the basin, and seemed to offer almost exactly the same geology, scenery and lack of points of interest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZiCnB5aJpyF7FK4ndnTxNvmqYCMLyWVkGaiAIge5MlEdEDjWDjq5ChDjrkFtO-iT71JTdXLLj-mZ31ctmtByoDMuYANvVZ376QpZmSmOXteNXSlOAFl8XcNpZeslV30UhNSZXA/s1600/US95HiDesert+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZiCnB5aJpyF7FK4ndnTxNvmqYCMLyWVkGaiAIge5MlEdEDjWDjq5ChDjrkFtO-iT71JTdXLLj-mZ31ctmtByoDMuYANvVZ376QpZmSmOXteNXSlOAFl8XcNpZeslV30UhNSZXA/s640/US95HiDesert+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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After about 100 miles of driving, the road started steadily rising. Probably as a result, the greenery got even more sparse. It's hard to describe the vast barrenness, and photos don't really help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwGJ6qo20vdylt_IN2_gKhP9-oDoB3Y4SwjDhMVHpAof31Wt8RB5_F9XpOawgdp0mShGg65jcgXH28ifTw7rMLuNDRkMkhMEgzyL1mFXG81dXl1l4Ciyvjp6bcTBsYmCKlv3bvQ/s1600/US95HiDesert+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwGJ6qo20vdylt_IN2_gKhP9-oDoB3Y4SwjDhMVHpAof31Wt8RB5_F9XpOawgdp0mShGg65jcgXH28ifTw7rMLuNDRkMkhMEgzyL1mFXG81dXl1l4Ciyvjp6bcTBsYmCKlv3bvQ/s640/US95HiDesert+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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We have stopped for the day in Tonopah, NV, another town that seems to have no earthly reason to be here. At just over 6,000 feet of elevation, it is still cold and windy... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-79476671558477511612019-10-08T17:43:00.000-07:002019-10-08T17:43:43.333-07:00US95: Desert DuoDriving north on US95 through Yuma, AZ, this morning, I was struck by two things: 1) I was deep in the Sonoran Desert (possibly in the Colorado sub-region), and 2) there is a vast amount of irrigated farmland in that desert. I suspect they're getting the water from the Colorado River, or what's left of it after everyone upriver has taken their share. Continuing north, the road is a typical two-lane affair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp7axvAe0Pm1pBDEpm-SgzamlDu1JSISviI3B4rUUa8cj3gsnhXQUK0iUMGRFV6GGg8_7seiV9ClVB2LnDWZGh_YaWEU7hexYkhvM5dX4Yi3oIxB3GnEpFUuEg58Nz3Zp7s3QBg/s1600/US95DesertDuo+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp7axvAe0Pm1pBDEpm-SgzamlDu1JSISviI3B4rUUa8cj3gsnhXQUK0iUMGRFV6GGg8_7seiV9ClVB2LnDWZGh_YaWEU7hexYkhvM5dX4Yi3oIxB3GnEpFUuEg58Nz3Zp7s3QBg/s640/US95DesertDuo+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="513" /></a><br />
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On the left below is an overview map of the deserts for reference. On the right is a customs and border patrol checkpoint. I clearly didn't fit the profile, because I was waved right through.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHBpYMO_AHXo5SwHTectoQnk4Bbpm5n38DKUwKE8zRf9XkUlhmdWlo3Yt46vJfsZyAQCYlwIoe-zwgJT_gI5vvEWd7G_REoUMnxBq3QZ0LezIaQH6RETBe_S9wxQgpbTULvvxOw/s1600/US95DesertDuo+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHBpYMO_AHXo5SwHTectoQnk4Bbpm5n38DKUwKE8zRf9XkUlhmdWlo3Yt46vJfsZyAQCYlwIoe-zwgJT_gI5vvEWd7G_REoUMnxBq3QZ0LezIaQH6RETBe_S9wxQgpbTULvvxOw/s640/US95DesertDuo+-+4.jpg" width="205" height="272" data-original-width="449" data-original-height="599" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50qvDkwSYa6skRB_nsMSmgDRnN9JzB9K_4EoKzQCakOO1g0k_ZDnTJKUGce7arlV-TKBwprI0BZ5NOjTs4F8kb8XUkTC0_ga0Cx4CwKH1YEo5goXtonR5gSskO3mPL26crKe8Fg/s1600/US95DesertDuo+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50qvDkwSYa6skRB_nsMSmgDRnN9JzB9K_4EoKzQCakOO1g0k_ZDnTJKUGce7arlV-TKBwprI0BZ5NOjTs4F8kb8XUkTC0_ga0Cx4CwKH1YEo5goXtonR5gSskO3mPL26crKe8Fg/s640/US95DesertDuo+-+2.jpg" width="363" height="272" data-original-width="1218" data-original-height="914" /></a><br />
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About 100 miles north of the border, US95 joins I-10 for a brief climb over a mountain pass and a drop down to cross the Colorado River into California. The road then breaks off to the north, parallel to the river and moving through the heart of the Mojave Desert. Still a two-lane affair, the road almost constantly goes up and down small elevation changes. I don't understand all the geology, but I think it has to do with the desert once being the undulating floor of an ocean.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmFd7RMQ6v5YxRCHimkHEGY6Vm-IPZdkj2V2szykDX3K1UDjdkC80eWEre7tRY7h15UBLfmM3Jtjs6onIfxhbr-TA0jgXmH5VouNpVFRLlddiNXBKz7thrgIl5Zb-_MmuAKONWg/s1600/US95DesertDuo+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmFd7RMQ6v5YxRCHimkHEGY6Vm-IPZdkj2V2szykDX3K1UDjdkC80eWEre7tRY7h15UBLfmM3Jtjs6onIfxhbr-TA0jgXmH5VouNpVFRLlddiNXBKz7thrgIl5Zb-_MmuAKONWg/s640/US95DesertDuo+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Another 100 miles north, US95 crosses into Nevada and becomes a very high-speed divided four-lane highway into Henderson, NV, where we have stopped for a rest day tomorrow... Stay tuned!<br />
Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-82549738482132739462019-10-07T19:07:00.001-07:002019-10-07T19:07:15.164-07:00US95: A Proper Beginning At The BorderFrom where I reached the end of US60 this morning near Brenda, AZ, it was only a short drive to be in position to begin my border-to-border drive of US95 in San Luis, a few miles south of Yuma, AZ.<br />
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Approaching the border crossing with Mexico, I was very happy to find an "End" sign just steps from where the road turns into the checkpoint. I was thrilled to find a "Begin" sign within a block of where checkpoint traffic enters the US. I know my feelings may seem weird, but they're well earned!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUw3oDxyapmX81XY4zDsXRY0xCPJNhL1w5KUQBzTfuWh5oaAqzfte9CP7Eq85K1yO50w2wpsuU4srfYucz2XpdFjBWszFBGcz_Ic3YxqFLU5hk_SKJJdTeoBFK2SXolK04v83mQ/s1600/US95Begin+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUw3oDxyapmX81XY4zDsXRY0xCPJNhL1w5KUQBzTfuWh5oaAqzfte9CP7Eq85K1yO50w2wpsuU4srfYucz2XpdFjBWszFBGcz_Ic3YxqFLU5hk_SKJJdTeoBFK2SXolK04v83mQ/s400/US95Begin+-+1.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgPj1KT4Q1OYFPh5NX6i4UJpGVMBuhvUEJS8XJDltR5vdI-d_z3MbNOZ6aVxIy1Loj8nKdceyfDyY44xEEzT0GPEzor0ViFxe6ylnGsqmclPfCgo7bMA8rrSOwU6-_iPphLQHSw/s1600/US95Begin+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgPj1KT4Q1OYFPh5NX6i4UJpGVMBuhvUEJS8XJDltR5vdI-d_z3MbNOZ6aVxIy1Loj8nKdceyfDyY44xEEzT0GPEzor0ViFxe6ylnGsqmclPfCgo7bMA8rrSOwU6-_iPphLQHSw/s400/US95Begin+-+2.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a><br />
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I would have to go back and review many of my previous posts to be sure, but I think this may be the first time that I have found both "Begin" and "End" signs at the same US Highway terminus. If it isn't the first time, it's at least been a long time since there's been proper signage.<br />
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It's probably a good thing, because I have been warned that there may be neither sign where I will finish my US95 drive far to the north at the border of Idaho with Canada... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-73227240821272198282019-10-07T18:35:00.000-07:002019-10-07T18:35:04.989-07:00US60: A Proper End In The DesertWest of Wickenburg, AZ, US60 is your basic desert affair, a straight, flat, two-lane road in modest condition with not much to offer besides mountains in the distance; pleasant but nothing special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRJd62n_d6C74wMIV90f46yjH4YapAq_E8I4ezGFDWUtN2kpUrVw1OwOICR7om1_8UIDAxoyDlrFDDqyeMmWDzfjwadKvXD_GxIx5NSrSM08BPd9Hkb2Fr1TSFXVEjFy9QkCVjw/s1600/US60End+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRJd62n_d6C74wMIV90f46yjH4YapAq_E8I4ezGFDWUtN2kpUrVw1OwOICR7om1_8UIDAxoyDlrFDDqyeMmWDzfjwadKvXD_GxIx5NSrSM08BPd9Hkb2Fr1TSFXVEjFy9QkCVjw/s640/US60End+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0gulj_9e_iRXIfXFwzIBtWoN7WTlk7F1sR9UXJjfP_pX2SR6e2S29FsV6tYAJorzBBJOq1uiqzSXQQGcKeE8DUNZkSjzv3G1u8pPDmPD137KfraYv9Tf3SXDsvBRoNK-Ysk8-A/s1600/US60End+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0gulj_9e_iRXIfXFwzIBtWoN7WTlk7F1sR9UXJjfP_pX2SR6e2S29FsV6tYAJorzBBJOq1uiqzSXQQGcKeE8DUNZkSjzv3G1u8pPDmPD137KfraYv9Tf3SXDsvBRoNK-Ysk8-A/s640/US60End+-+2.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>After driving for an hour or so, I pulled off the road and was delighted to see it: A proper "End" sign, exactly where it is supposed to be, at the point where US60 becomes ramps for Interstate 10.<br />
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Happy and I took a few minutes to mark the occasion of finishing another end-to-end road trip together, me by taking photos and her by leaving p-mail. I congratulated her and she gave me the look of "Whatever, let's get back in my air conditioned dog house."<br />
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Here's my brief review of US60:<br />
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US60 is a good road trip route, but not a great one. Except for a few challenging spots (e.g. the mountains of West Virginia, the Salt River Canyon), it is an easy drive on good roadways. If offers moderate geographic diversity, from the lush forests of the east to the deserts of the west, but not as much as northern routes like US20 and US30.<br />
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US60 is what I would call a "blue collar" road: hard working and honest, but not especially pretty or interesting. Either there just aren't that many points of interest along the way, or I missed them.<br />
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As of now, I have driven all of the original, long-distance US Highways north of here: US2, US12, US20, US30, US50, US60 and US70 (US40 has been mostly subsumed into I-80). South of here, US80 and US 90 only run from the east coast to Texas and have also been greatly replaced by Interstates. I think that's my way of saying I'm probably done with "coast-to-coast" route expeditions. <br />
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Starting tomorrow, I have another "border-to-border" US95 drive ahead of me... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-13973512823984499222019-10-06T16:43:00.000-07:002019-10-06T16:43:16.918-07:00US60: Arizona Crossing(s)Today's drive on US60 was a crossing of almost all of Arizona. It also involved three more crossings of various US Highways I have previously driven on my many cross-country road trips.<br />
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First, in Springerville, we crossed <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US191" target="_blank">US191</a> which I drove border-to-border back in 2014. West of there, US60 is mostly gentle ups and downs through alpine terrain with entertaining bends and turns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo-TIUpf-f5l-vzo4LHPDiuqBI3GtOyzbpmUvAWjlb1D1Igzw7aC_XGvAdLnlgcbjdUnPocVLx8lY0WFRFCEK07iLyROcq91WDQ4HIKVCoKV2pYx_Aj0BLrmD23WkaPk24T__g/s1600/US60AZCrossings+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo-TIUpf-f5l-vzo4LHPDiuqBI3GtOyzbpmUvAWjlb1D1Igzw7aC_XGvAdLnlgcbjdUnPocVLx8lY0WFRFCEK07iLyROcq91WDQ4HIKVCoKV2pYx_Aj0BLrmD23WkaPk24T__g/s640/US60AZCrossings+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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After that, the route becomes a more challenging drive through the Salt River Canyon. It's a steep, twisty five miles down then back up, bracketed on each side by lesser but still significant dives and climbs. The scenery is stunning, despite one's tight grip on the wheel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1icIm4ujvO2ZKgT-IXPnae_GhKJZYDCBhSaLVItVRvBRVG3DiBcgk0euiJGVMA4skb1gppNVZTXZu270GJw8wVeFspi_Eap0lM7gVmEQkVWwT0bioK3BdupM3NCm7-PZ6YJQYg/s1600/US60AZCrossings+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1icIm4ujvO2ZKgT-IXPnae_GhKJZYDCBhSaLVItVRvBRVG3DiBcgk0euiJGVMA4skb1gppNVZTXZu270GJw8wVeFspi_Eap0lM7gVmEQkVWwT0bioK3BdupM3NCm7-PZ6YJQYg/s640/US60AZCrossings+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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In Globe, we crossed the end of <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US70" target="_blank">US70</a> which I drove coast-to-end on the same long road trip in 2014. West of there it's a high-speed run to Phoenix, which I was very happy to be crossing on a Sunday when traffic was light. Farther west, US60 is a rolling romp through lower and dryer dessert.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTbmYAIJ8OR87HtQQ9ZK6hjN3jn7pbmfPvZDcuxtMcEqUdXp2g5Pfy4V2PEvSRE2QD7MZWMzbFHXhIv6beh16MgOJz_8T7iFU43rH7yoPoYaKAikwEyiYaUEPhj4fEAG_g1AedQ/s1600/US60AZCrossings+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTbmYAIJ8OR87HtQQ9ZK6hjN3jn7pbmfPvZDcuxtMcEqUdXp2g5Pfy4V2PEvSRE2QD7MZWMzbFHXhIv6beh16MgOJz_8T7iFU43rH7yoPoYaKAikwEyiYaUEPhj4fEAG_g1AedQ/s640/US60AZCrossings+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Finally, we've stopped for the day in Wickenburg, which is the starting point of <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US93" target="_blank">US93</a> which I drove all the way to the Canadian border two years ago in 2017.<br />
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So, to recap, today we've crossed Arizona and three previously driven routes. I seriously think I'm running out of long-distance US Highways to drive! Tomorrow morning we will drive the last 75 miles to the end of US60 near the California border... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-47992515676510686942019-10-05T13:56:00.000-07:002019-10-06T13:57:55.470-07:00US60 Detour: Alpine RevisitedAbout 30 miles south on US191 from its junction with US60 in Springerville, AZ, is an idyllic, high mountain valley, which is home to the aptly named very small town of Alpine, AZ.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkZaWnWnDDvhKmBbFZFHqYOFNhrjFaO4CpBvlWPxetXzA_6JN3Y308ic6-KtvU8SvfC3LNK2HyprT5P240aRGU4DNbsnPX1KFBW1p2Wo1lBg7DVtzAB8MqKrEC_SRvPZQHBz6Uw/s1600/US60Alpine+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkZaWnWnDDvhKmBbFZFHqYOFNhrjFaO4CpBvlWPxetXzA_6JN3Y308ic6-KtvU8SvfC3LNK2HyprT5P240aRGU4DNbsnPX1KFBW1p2Wo1lBg7DVtzAB8MqKrEC_SRvPZQHBz6Uw/s640/US60Alpine+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VVNjhnVHum9W8zHOd_bYus8TWsVtOyp1jSrf0qDs6s49R7YAwJnfeTbtcj3vbqCNis9XB20XsNYlByyNJ8r6FeIiCC7KtWyimXoooQSKniGSUeSbomjOQS8C61JxALYofR2V5w/s1600/US60Alpine+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VVNjhnVHum9W8zHOd_bYus8TWsVtOyp1jSrf0qDs6s49R7YAwJnfeTbtcj3vbqCNis9XB20XsNYlByyNJ8r6FeIiCC7KtWyimXoooQSKniGSUeSbomjOQS8C61JxALYofR2V5w/s400/US60Alpine+-+2.jpg" width="286" height="400" data-original-width="915" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>I first "discovered" Apline five years ago during my US191 border-to-border drive. It was such a perfect place to take a break from being in the desert – and home to some really wonderful people – that I determined to take a couple of days off from this US60 road trip to revisit Alpine. Once again, it was a perfect respite.<br />
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Besides the obviously beautiful setting, cool air and lush greenery, Alpine also offers as a highlight the <a href="https://foxfireatalpineaz.com" target="_blank">Foxfire</a> restaurant, a culinary treat by world-class city standards, and a seeming impossibility in a remote small town.<br />
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I was delighted to have two dinners and a brunch at Foxfire, the latter including an adult morning beverage that didn't help my energy level for the rest of the day.<br />
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As usual during "days off" on the road, I spent some time sorting and organizing gear, also taking advantage of the local laundromat to set me up with clothes for the rest of the trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqkCpywV4RJYuDFWXES5_-DbznIDP3cpT_FV5uziV_RgnH8IWvGbmNkcjaWlmFFPwxuPqi7BinHHhd5OT6OeBlQbyow_qUCR52wNqRo74r1nOOZB7ntzkW7E7wUrrPFYlFvnm7w/s1600/US60Alpine+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqkCpywV4RJYuDFWXES5_-DbznIDP3cpT_FV5uziV_RgnH8IWvGbmNkcjaWlmFFPwxuPqi7BinHHhd5OT6OeBlQbyow_qUCR52wNqRo74r1nOOZB7ntzkW7E7wUrrPFYlFvnm7w/s640/US60Alpine+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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Happy used her skills to make the most of her days off by alternately sleeping in the sun and shade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhBjYltbqFOEDE_ev1_AfyD2SbRWzli0E6E1bu71rm5aKAIKGYydT2ATGvP3s1H2D1udzR8lMwMfbaPQWhI1H2NUGrzH-axBawA1SuWznSS7zIkFnrWMMRiVicRnnhhZrSoiFzA/s1600/US60Alpine+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhBjYltbqFOEDE_ev1_AfyD2SbRWzli0E6E1bu71rm5aKAIKGYydT2ATGvP3s1H2D1udzR8lMwMfbaPQWhI1H2NUGrzH-axBawA1SuWznSS7zIkFnrWMMRiVicRnnhhZrSoiFzA/s640/US60Alpine+-+4.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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After a delightful and refreshing two day break, we are ready to hit the road again... Stay tuned!<br />
Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-25395610775752548722019-10-03T14:44:00.000-07:002019-10-03T14:44:35.124-07:00US60: Pie On The Continental DivideToday's drive on US60 was very pretty, easy and amusing, perhaps the best so far on this road trip. Heading west out of Mountainair, NM, early this morning, the soft overcast, wide open space and mountains in the distance were easy on the eyes and soul. Morning in the desert can be fantastic!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UVZ6T1H4yAZmx4LGCxv-NSHpndVy38usQOX0_xkrMAjkMfYjJ4b1F0Lwk-cRynw4Rfo_zOVsscoTcnQg0mvCqJmsYcITQekSb_8tM0_L7h0Upl03dGUEJg26eStxYzlu_zKWjw/s1600/US60ContDivide+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UVZ6T1H4yAZmx4LGCxv-NSHpndVy38usQOX0_xkrMAjkMfYjJ4b1F0Lwk-cRynw4Rfo_zOVsscoTcnQg0mvCqJmsYcITQekSb_8tM0_L7h0Upl03dGUEJg26eStxYzlu_zKWjw/s640/US60ContDivide+-+6.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Along the way, I repeatedly saw signs for "VLA" and wondered if there could really be a town by that name. Imagine my amusement when I spied the "Very Large Array" (VLA)! We've all seen this many times in movies, I'm sure, but I had no idea where it is located. Now we know it's on US60!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnX3Yf-yo0yFi3kV6y3A9dL8afpdIAvBmFiUTN3Ds-CqfVlqt0kXxL2YYYhIKm_lZfm8XT9kiKp-XNS2A7piPkJVe_pdChNLYD9XH4tKY6QCeP2dGmZEpWGpSeOgDlKYAGe4Y5g/s1600/US60ContDivide+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnX3Yf-yo0yFi3kV6y3A9dL8afpdIAvBmFiUTN3Ds-CqfVlqt0kXxL2YYYhIKm_lZfm8XT9kiKp-XNS2A7piPkJVe_pdChNLYD9XH4tKY6QCeP2dGmZEpWGpSeOgDlKYAGe4Y5g/s640/US60ContDivide+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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A few minutes later we crossed the continental divide, for about the hundredth time on my road trips. I was going to stop and take the requisite photo, but saw a sign just ahead that grabbed my attention instead. There is a place called "Pie Town" in New Mexico, and it has four, count 'em four pie shops!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rLQ9CTtn3EAkLZtGURH4rmZCv5bQIrUi-xVfoFGrDAzJPssKD7AjsqytK6H-4dmruZrbhrZ5iiQG7n8V_LXopsy25UGYQNxI1htTEE5VQbIBRoKnzlAGfmZF00uVmswCqkof0w/s1600/US60ContDivide+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rLQ9CTtn3EAkLZtGURH4rmZCv5bQIrUi-xVfoFGrDAzJPssKD7AjsqytK6H-4dmruZrbhrZ5iiQG7n8V_LXopsy25UGYQNxI1htTEE5VQbIBRoKnzlAGfmZF00uVmswCqkof0w/s640/US60ContDivide+-+2.jpg" width="205" height="272" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="1280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-ZjJ9rle5-KnKinnpZYRztqWaB_T984LXkjaOyV403oQ3ZtdPyp3He49EcOifOKTX3XGr-xd5x4MKUTn1MztYkhO_KcYpYrOVSEgqjRAyq7RgvDd9BBgrRJA8PAgMUmlERN8Ww/s1600/US60ContDivide+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-ZjJ9rle5-KnKinnpZYRztqWaB_T984LXkjaOyV403oQ3ZtdPyp3He49EcOifOKTX3XGr-xd5x4MKUTn1MztYkhO_KcYpYrOVSEgqjRAyq7RgvDd9BBgrRJA8PAgMUmlERN8Ww/s640/US60ContDivide+-+3.jpg" width="363" height="272" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a><br />
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After a very rewarding stop for pie on the continental divide, it was back on the road for a truly beautiful drive into Arizona. These are the vistas that make the driving so worthwhile!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3il-VB_cYWqU_qoxZXaLwoM2eR6IZbXccIczpy6g9BcnO929M-Pk53LyRY3qhz43DvNH8ljXzEJmlc99lom06qC1Z4RtnQI0wJ4pDL3YjeCdzT6iThGAN5bgRUR-9M1fKcfAFOQ/s1600/US60ContDivide+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3il-VB_cYWqU_qoxZXaLwoM2eR6IZbXccIczpy6g9BcnO929M-Pk53LyRY3qhz43DvNH8ljXzEJmlc99lom06qC1Z4RtnQI0wJ4pDL3YjeCdzT6iThGAN5bgRUR-9M1fKcfAFOQ/s640/US60ContDivide+-+5.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUx01_lHpXmB9ABi5vkilT8nxqtKgYsUZR8PKl73HdaenEFVOQRMb8ZFhyFGceli4i4Bvn0GyQy8gzx3F314YAYfv7Vhnd-jkGUfOB9pn8bNeRuYggSQdSeu98ES7wffeW4bfyA/s1600/US60ContDivide+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUx01_lHpXmB9ABi5vkilT8nxqtKgYsUZR8PKl73HdaenEFVOQRMb8ZFhyFGceli4i4Bvn0GyQy8gzx3F314YAYfv7Vhnd-jkGUfOB9pn8bNeRuYggSQdSeu98ES7wffeW4bfyA/s320/US60ContDivide+-+4.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a></div>Pulling into Springerville, AZ, we intersected with another old friend, US191.<br />
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You may recall that I drove <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/US191" target="_bland">US191 border to border</a> back in 2014.<br />
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There is a very special place nearby that I have decided is worth a detour, so I'm going to suspend my US60 road trip for a couple of days.<br />
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Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-43813246019092411662019-10-02T16:51:00.000-07:002019-10-02T16:51:04.237-07:00US60: TexicoHeading southwest out of Canyon/Amarillo, TX, US60 is a high-speed transportation conduit. Trucks almost constantly wind-rattled my vehicle due to our combined closure speed of about 140 mph. Every few minutes, very long trains passed by on the tracks that parallel the road the entire way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKiESwl_PfCB1vqv56OV45gpDzGZZSKXKnqeCglx-piJ-uM7o1fdqJLjPDhCl0nOOPcEIUmmLbxPJ5CynTDNjJC8fJGsn2za7XJlXrZvzQe1ypx2FxJQLq0pOQot6KgZiZ2zw9g/s1600/US60Texico+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKiESwl_PfCB1vqv56OV45gpDzGZZSKXKnqeCglx-piJ-uM7o1fdqJLjPDhCl0nOOPcEIUmmLbxPJ5CynTDNjJC8fJGsn2za7XJlXrZvzQe1ypx2FxJQLq0pOQot6KgZiZ2zw9g/s640/US60Texico+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qBFDMWMVi7qjZtYflAgH2mrzUW0VtFiJwHaTtVCe9hteJ4713z0W3mt1wF4aEDfi0g8bO62_G1XZOK7nLnNdFO3JhTk3jTaLjCDrY8m1ko1vLBykTRvgUIpt8PoEW_o-zDEUnQ/s1600/US60Texico+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qBFDMWMVi7qjZtYflAgH2mrzUW0VtFiJwHaTtVCe9hteJ4713z0W3mt1wF4aEDfi0g8bO62_G1XZOK7nLnNdFO3JhTk3jTaLjCDrY8m1ko1vLBykTRvgUIpt8PoEW_o-zDEUnQ/s320/US60Texico+-+1.jpg" width="320" height="182" data-original-width="421" data-original-height="239" /></a></div>The border between Farwell, TX, and Clovis, NM, is the convergence of three major highways – including US70 which I drove a little over five years ago – and is a massive transportation hub. <br />
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For about ten miles, I covered ground that I've already driven, something that happens more and more often now that I've driven so many of the old US Highways from end-to-end.<br />
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Happy and I took our half-way-for-the-day break in Fort Sumner, NM. While there, we visited the "real" grave of Billy the Kid. The information sign tells about how the gravestone went missing, was found, returned, etc. It is now shackled to the ground, kept inside a locked cage.<br />
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It isn't the actual grave, and not the original gravestone (which was made of wood and washed away shortly after burial), but who lets facts get in the way of a good tourist opportunity?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskj-x539czpQs554Apxtro6LGY8QpHf8GelU82IuS1rlK09BVAkNNFK_WIXczJjAPIqA_fRWWRTd_ol9AFeXiDsdUHow_vx7XWA-m_8t3dqMKKVIi9yx1fuI8IMk6nqnI3871MA/s1600/US60Texico+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskj-x539czpQs554Apxtro6LGY8QpHf8GelU82IuS1rlK09BVAkNNFK_WIXczJjAPIqA_fRWWRTd_ol9AFeXiDsdUHow_vx7XWA-m_8t3dqMKKVIi9yx1fuI8IMk6nqnI3871MA/s400/US60Texico+-+3.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWJoH04TL5QfzErhCYVtg4UgMjJ_nKB-8keeOT6xFfCt8gfFaej-Ss33LTCd01ATNafzJf8YVUB7b6Lv3drCx9hfkKARGejgJMz16nHH5CKxS5q_0nmotbuUMmzAsDQkhMMv4sg/s1600/US60Texico+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWJoH04TL5QfzErhCYVtg4UgMjJ_nKB-8keeOT6xFfCt8gfFaej-Ss33LTCd01ATNafzJf8YVUB7b6Lv3drCx9hfkKARGejgJMz16nHH5CKxS5q_0nmotbuUMmzAsDQkhMMv4sg/s400/US60Texico+-+4.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_zggVAA9szuLRPqEf8K1ia2Sa7cAXzjNnWhA5ckmnLjDgGc1piYDhReHy72LWUGm6dYuF-fSqlgAqv-00sqitFWWfwe5PwFwRKfz4dBM0WGlK3Ycwf6hUTflvMr16zswpvV58Q/s1600/US60Texico+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_zggVAA9szuLRPqEf8K1ia2Sa7cAXzjNnWhA5ckmnLjDgGc1piYDhReHy72LWUGm6dYuF-fSqlgAqv-00sqitFWWfwe5PwFwRKfz4dBM0WGlK3Ycwf6hUTflvMr16zswpvV58Q/s400/US60Texico+-+5.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>There's a Billy the Kid museum in town, mostly filled with unrelated items, but there are a few authentic items that are worth a few minutes if you ever find yourself passing through. <br />
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I didn't spend much time in the museum, since I pretty fully explored the history and legend of Billy the Kid on my US70 transit when it passed through <a href="https://macgellan.blogspot.com/2014/05/us-hwy-70-lincoln-nm-cautionary-tale.html" target="_blank">Lincoln</a>, NM, where most of the action was based.<br />
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After lunch, the weather had fully cleared and the road was a good, high-speed, almost entirely straight run through the desert to Mountaineer, NM, where we have stopped for the night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6i9KGoVXhFBTzN5NyCu1ZHimK_6wPxg-wOWv6XNnTfCRfDnXK4ax5enMjiSv_7e5PnelsJUKSSrbU2CZl7RMQOMO18K02o9dUQt57odb3k9F3Kx25AI0I3t6jL_svAlgrRMNUYg/s1600/US60Texico+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6i9KGoVXhFBTzN5NyCu1ZHimK_6wPxg-wOWv6XNnTfCRfDnXK4ax5enMjiSv_7e5PnelsJUKSSrbU2CZl7RMQOMO18K02o9dUQt57odb3k9F3Kx25AI0I3t6jL_svAlgrRMNUYg/s640/US60Texico+-+6.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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We have already driven through so much empty, wide-open space, and there's more in our future... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-80433117132066029312019-10-01T13:59:00.000-07:002019-10-01T13:59:04.021-07:00US60: Texahoma, Again!It was already 80 degrees when I left Enid, OK, early this morning, with a strong, gusting crosswind coming from the south. Texahoma is hard to describe and, as usual, the photos don't really do it justice. There is so much wide open space out here that it boggles the mind. Some of it is green, but much of it is brown. Either way, there's not much to see and little to explore on a long drive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXB-qSV9M3fLQMsLlU2jr3urx466q_ANDZpbFL09Hi4vm4ovGKG43M7S5-Vs9MZPFVsnWgr396MeCwAknup9M7bI0fOWaOpCKYGeHXZpE2L_GwxQbHkV36I13rBjR392SNyA9QQ/s1600/Texahoma+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXB-qSV9M3fLQMsLlU2jr3urx466q_ANDZpbFL09Hi4vm4ovGKG43M7S5-Vs9MZPFVsnWgr396MeCwAknup9M7bI0fOWaOpCKYGeHXZpE2L_GwxQbHkV36I13rBjR392SNyA9QQ/s640/Texahoma+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTCV75hYI-HwziArbLqUtx7VCgiCPTwPHy8Cxouf5gqIdfTdu0NlynXYOfKtxp_aibHaEr_TiVJex-qVXFdWFXFMh_BJHetAnb1CR5qfNyKqAdDU6ABIdpXRbh4dwGZbrkOglUw/s1600/Texahoma+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTCV75hYI-HwziArbLqUtx7VCgiCPTwPHy8Cxouf5gqIdfTdu0NlynXYOfKtxp_aibHaEr_TiVJex-qVXFdWFXFMh_BJHetAnb1CR5qfNyKqAdDU6ABIdpXRbh4dwGZbrkOglUw/s640/Texahoma+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Shortly after crossing into Texas, it looked like I was heading into weather. True to the old adage – "Put your back to the wind, the high is on your right, the low is on your left" – I was preparing for rain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNQxkIPrdkzENcqTrrv5RDw9HnYzPqiLBzAt2AgQyb96JWG2NiN864TlrEcDT8v7rY5_YUWTbqtf3ZOl-ZucsKJCHbpb872Jy06HmFQ8qEkR1Xc89g5rpnQN3a4uh3sli4qmUow/s1600/Texahoma+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNQxkIPrdkzENcqTrrv5RDw9HnYzPqiLBzAt2AgQyb96JWG2NiN864TlrEcDT8v7rY5_YUWTbqtf3ZOl-ZucsKJCHbpb872Jy06HmFQ8qEkR1Xc89g5rpnQN3a4uh3sli4qmUow/s640/Texahoma+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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A few miles down the road, I saw what looked like a wall of water ahead. I pulled into a turnout just in time to be hammered by a torrential squall, the kind where you can't even see out the window. In less than a minute, the temperature dropped from 85 degrees to 65 degrees... Yikes!<br />
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After a few minutes, the rain let up to a drivable rate and I continued down the road. I passed through Amarillo because I've already stayed there more times than I care to recall. Instead, I'm spending the night little farther along my route in Canyon, TX.<br />
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I can't recall how many times I've driven across Texahoma, but I'm ready for this to be my last!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-24558465354924585212019-09-30T08:46:00.001-07:002019-09-30T08:46:53.513-07:00Happy: Rest Stop SkillsHi, I'm Happy! One of the first things to learn if you're going to be a road dog, is how to make the most of your so-called "rest" stops. I really don't understand why Boss Macgellan calls them that, because I get plenty of rest while we're driving. When we stop, it's time to roll around in the grass!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLNuP7Xoa8S7LGY4Mx9wW_RpELtgw52a3QkwrnOk6lSiF-cdWhQ1IO-WdsQXBZpA9VEnFp1p1USdMUlGoArPdk_xcLkh0Ehsw8utzvX4vyOMBQJ6MufWfRHXpGosQosPiZjaEKg/s1600/HappyBreak+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLNuP7Xoa8S7LGY4Mx9wW_RpELtgw52a3QkwrnOk6lSiF-cdWhQ1IO-WdsQXBZpA9VEnFp1p1USdMUlGoArPdk_xcLkh0Ehsw8utzvX4vyOMBQJ6MufWfRHXpGosQosPiZjaEKg/s400/HappyBreak+-+1.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK3xHJ48Tnqu1yayYqkbENiORp6KrpRBmxEVmDhmN2TIi2sVVWuX1BY1QiqjzcOZ1lSYlWyy0caKpFQ00QGYqK__RTLRemuDl8n70VgJgDoWpUs-jywfqEh3_1jLDn76wNVq0YQ/s1600/HappyBreak+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK3xHJ48Tnqu1yayYqkbENiORp6KrpRBmxEVmDhmN2TIi2sVVWuX1BY1QiqjzcOZ1lSYlWyy0caKpFQ00QGYqK__RTLRemuDl8n70VgJgDoWpUs-jywfqEh3_1jLDn76wNVq0YQ/s400/HappyBreak+-+2.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1279" /></a><br />
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All our stops are really fun, because besides rolling in the grass, I get to check up on everybody's p-mail and see who has been here leaving messages. It just occurred to me that if I'm going to be a modern dog, I should probably call it a p-instagram. Anyway, we're having another great road trip!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-72519890773019424512019-09-30T07:50:00.000-07:002019-09-30T16:09:37.058-07:00US60: Northern OklahomaYesterday was a long but uneventful day on the road. An hour west of Springfield, MO, we crossed into northern Oklahoma and began a 200+ mile run on good, not great, roads to Enid, OK. <br />
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Unless you've driven across the US, it is hard to imagine the vast expanses you encounter along the way. I could offer you dozens of photos from yesterday, but they all look pretty much the same:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzmF18tM2qzMO0HZynoHxaeR25HzNJnJkKsAWp26e34nDzUocUjVzloThEh5WZoUdszw35qXwzNM_tEljgLDbTvn1TJLX6A8DHcfo_aDJ8fuYdX71KXF4QtPXyN4qk-D58a6ZjQ/s1600/US60NoOK+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzmF18tM2qzMO0HZynoHxaeR25HzNJnJkKsAWp26e34nDzUocUjVzloThEh5WZoUdszw35qXwzNM_tEljgLDbTvn1TJLX6A8DHcfo_aDJ8fuYdX71KXF4QtPXyN4qk-D58a6ZjQ/s640/US60NoOK+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l2m64gLjPxxqiabGoXBSJlcoOKcPVF0bM1p31NE-2x5Z05iSMr3ldPTC0zlAIumCwaQYYzO3_WFx9fXYijqDIPp4gQ00qeCkEOUqdLS-LtMUaIJVHkqFWde9_leJrYA-zZo-KA/s1600/US60NoOK+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l2m64gLjPxxqiabGoXBSJlcoOKcPVF0bM1p31NE-2x5Z05iSMr3ldPTC0zlAIumCwaQYYzO3_WFx9fXYijqDIPp4gQ00qeCkEOUqdLS-LtMUaIJVHkqFWde9_leJrYA-zZo-KA/s640/US60NoOK+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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One thing that's noteworthy is the variety of small towns you pass through at fairly regular intervals. While almost all show signs of being depressed and depopulated, they do so to different degrees. Some show signs of persisting, while others seem like they've just about given up the fight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHvl0ySdqK_BCIdknLNsRjEgQo6Ac3ct1UdxqXe9eW4lzBQXVrDLYLNj9XOltsiCsYPHDERdkn9bz1ZWr5oXltDK7ZX2GIbPUqoedJQBsYvP83k92_malLessBOIIqkQfvYkXgw/s1600/US60NoOK+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHvl0ySdqK_BCIdknLNsRjEgQo6Ac3ct1UdxqXe9eW4lzBQXVrDLYLNj9XOltsiCsYPHDERdkn9bz1ZWr5oXltDK7ZX2GIbPUqoedJQBsYvP83k92_malLessBOIIqkQfvYkXgw/s640/US60NoOK+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbwXxXdMGyY7B9uKRb2dgoaEV_NaJKrP39X90Sg5wstXiT38fLjfgAdfnxHtBMO5mmqkG1r-erPgCzxvUnbo3geBbc_0Ppaqrr8az3ficlfVw2NJPYeMGLENo4ywchRIYHkYplw/s1600/US60NoOK+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbwXxXdMGyY7B9uKRb2dgoaEV_NaJKrP39X90Sg5wstXiT38fLjfgAdfnxHtBMO5mmqkG1r-erPgCzxvUnbo3geBbc_0Ppaqrr8az3ficlfVw2NJPYeMGLENo4ywchRIYHkYplw/s640/US60NoOK+-+4.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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After three straight days of driving, Happy and I were ready for our regular "day off' from the road. I was hopeful about spending it here in Enid, OK, because of several amusements on offer that seemed appealing. Sadly, they are all closed on Mondays, so I'm not sure we'll be able to enjoy much diversion.<br />
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Nevertheless, we will enjoy some relaxation, catching up with ourselves, resetting our gear and generally preparing for the next lengthy stints... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-80539709499414409692019-09-28T13:51:00.000-07:002019-09-28T13:51:24.218-07:00US60: Southern MissouriHere's a trick I've learned about cross-country driving: Heading west, start early and stop early; heading east, start late and stop late. That strategy will minimize the amount of time you're driving into the sun, which is much more fatiguing than having the sun behind you or overhead.<br />
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Accordingly, Happy and I were out of Paducah, KY, early this morning on a good two-lane road heading west. Pretty soon, we crossed the Ohio River, spent a hot minute – only about a half mile – on the very southern tip of Illinois at Fort Defiance, then crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGu36LHOaCZ1mSHJP8ChHqkrYnzLxLjsdbTD5z7CG7meAU9n_C5M01Ls3utWaxZ_Qtqg-nPPVhwvP-g6dlE_dK_uZV0vKLz-FU-y41TWu2ye17zKmAWy6VlVYiJ_JEryo8ljNZQ/s1600/US60SoMO+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGu36LHOaCZ1mSHJP8ChHqkrYnzLxLjsdbTD5z7CG7meAU9n_C5M01Ls3utWaxZ_Qtqg-nPPVhwvP-g6dlE_dK_uZV0vKLz-FU-y41TWu2ye17zKmAWy6VlVYiJ_JEryo8ljNZQ/s640/US60SoMO+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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US60 continues as a good two-lane rural road, among smaller agricultural fields and copses of trees. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro9nPuGSrqWWlQvyjhIPmMl8MYSTDdA58LbOKN4s7SsknVFoaBZOLsTWDR-35cUr8AoJviVQNQJx9VEWpCBPlwEwOwkuDpkbQW5BYRbJ8-FxTsnAS49goHUQF1A1mu9hXQ9gDjA/s1600/US60SoMO+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro9nPuGSrqWWlQvyjhIPmMl8MYSTDdA58LbOKN4s7SsknVFoaBZOLsTWDR-35cUr8AoJviVQNQJx9VEWpCBPlwEwOwkuDpkbQW5BYRbJ8-FxTsnAS49goHUQF1A1mu9hXQ9gDjA/s640/US60SoMO+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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Minutes later, US60 joins I-57 for a few miles, then continues as "Future I-57" for about 50 miles. After crossing I-55, US60 continues on its own as a major east/west corridor. For about 200 miles to Springfield, MO, it is a high-speed, divided four-lane thruway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e9m8e7H_XLO3M94N-iEdRnLc09WxoTQdeEU7kzPYIqqNkSKh7G9VOUoa9ekMBLDu6TNuPwEqQiLjhPBxQZJ7Ae-n0Ej7uxzOtnDOuRJIgwt1297XTvJMeFovgofTiFo1EY1-Ug/s1600/US60SoMO+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e9m8e7H_XLO3M94N-iEdRnLc09WxoTQdeEU7kzPYIqqNkSKh7G9VOUoa9ekMBLDu6TNuPwEqQiLjhPBxQZJ7Ae-n0Ej7uxzOtnDOuRJIgwt1297XTvJMeFovgofTiFo1EY1-Ug/s640/US60SoMO+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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We have stopped for the night in Springfield and will continue west early in the morning.Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-28450850300730202512019-09-28T13:05:00.000-07:002019-09-28T13:10:52.952-07:00US60 Extra: Diverging Diamond InterchangeLeaving Paducah, KY, this morning, drove through my first <a href="https://divergingdiamond.com" target="_blank">Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QR09loemHdGiF4ruVEKVJDcTg2eLHPexODKKpqSObHFHtkLgzchQAwp2G6GdmvXf3ozhZc_R_lbPFPLOdwkQ0HEmJ5k7PxbbHjkvy1Jwb7OOtWnvdfvJjOkXHkdBasDIUsrykg/s1600/US60DDI+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QR09loemHdGiF4ruVEKVJDcTg2eLHPexODKKpqSObHFHtkLgzchQAwp2G6GdmvXf3ozhZc_R_lbPFPLOdwkQ0HEmJ5k7PxbbHjkvy1Jwb7OOtWnvdfvJjOkXHkdBasDIUsrykg/s640/US60DDI+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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I had seen videos about them in the past and they looked quite innovative. After driving one this morning, I declare that they are genius! By shifting the arterial lanes, they vastly improve flow on and off the highway, greatly reduce backups on the ramps, and speed up traffic on the arterials.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGl9Abgw6XDPTouFM0OTNdxE-PS5dliRTrADvBY_X4E-a94x6eQLDaZeC8wm3u7juTkWkn4Mn1WW9YlGAlcst_RH3fW1JTPXhE14AaTJ6lO2lAoniDVRr_hJOpMTepD0ss8M_qA/s1600/thru-movements.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGl9Abgw6XDPTouFM0OTNdxE-PS5dliRTrADvBY_X4E-a94x6eQLDaZeC8wm3u7juTkWkn4Mn1WW9YlGAlcst_RH3fW1JTPXhE14AaTJ6lO2lAoniDVRr_hJOpMTepD0ss8M_qA/s1600/thru-movements.jpg" width="576" height="335" data-original-width="618" data-original-height="359" /></a><br />
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If the US ever seriously undertakes nationwide infrastructure improvement, I hope as many interchanges are converted to DDIs as possible!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-2626299489257954652019-09-27T15:28:00.000-07:002019-09-27T18:32:50.777-07:00US60: Southwestern KentuckyOur day-long drive across southwestern Kentucky completes our transit of what I would describe as the state's three distinct geographies: Mountains in the east, rolling hills in the middle and wide open flatlands in the southwest. It's hard to describe and even harder to photograph from a moving car.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-Dg3PmHWo2RgTl69O3zud_ApvAWqn5zHfhoviEcS0Wsuq_PFvKusp8zowEIAGkPajsfwBVZ0Koz1f93kLXKH4HUU0dcny8MbnLKOGvEKryZD7qqj8P4OpI-ONrRItiTELIQ5EQ/s1600/US60SWKY+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-Dg3PmHWo2RgTl69O3zud_ApvAWqn5zHfhoviEcS0Wsuq_PFvKusp8zowEIAGkPajsfwBVZ0Koz1f93kLXKH4HUU0dcny8MbnLKOGvEKryZD7qqj8P4OpI-ONrRItiTELIQ5EQ/s640/US60SWKY+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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As a result of the flatter terrain, farm fields out here tend to be much larger than in the rolling hills. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoTAkhFpmdqxcBiXfqWeSE1Rs1rVLivKuxonISOMx1qm8NnUkFXpLRzvMa-LSK_-T1ZgY6JomfgZZZOxnqbyJI1bSVKNHc32tIZ-yOTghjQZwGnVdVB4crtrgxbAXRQtV6Emk3g/s1600/US60SWKY+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoTAkhFpmdqxcBiXfqWeSE1Rs1rVLivKuxonISOMx1qm8NnUkFXpLRzvMa-LSK_-T1ZgY6JomfgZZZOxnqbyJI1bSVKNHc32tIZ-yOTghjQZwGnVdVB4crtrgxbAXRQtV6Emk3g/s640/US60SWKY+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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It's harvest season, so there were a few times when we got held up and had to pass some extremely large farm equipment. Besides that, it was a smooth, fast drive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-xBv5CaneJpLpkMd78XOAU45x6RPdyQKNtd8_N2PlgtlfPGSxdSpFp25AMZ8ctOsfMixmhfYvtt-szkkcP3j68koOFvOyBNaaQxHuPuprD0NRxu6SujXlob2antegb36dvZg-w/s1600/US60SWKY+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-xBv5CaneJpLpkMd78XOAU45x6RPdyQKNtd8_N2PlgtlfPGSxdSpFp25AMZ8ctOsfMixmhfYvtt-szkkcP3j68koOFvOyBNaaQxHuPuprD0NRxu6SujXlob2antegb36dvZg-w/s640/US60SWKY+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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We are spending the night in Paducah, KY, just a few miles from the Missouri border. We plan to transit most of the Show-Me State tomorrow... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-67023604021108190112019-09-27T15:02:00.001-07:002019-09-27T15:05:11.678-07:00US60 Detour: John James Audubon State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZlqiQCz6na-YzkW7kJAVYRcc1sk7xPLJRIvO1IkGzAFoeoKRJUIRdnDNYRlJWiDc6HiUExS4N6DBfCkDKxorSdYSVb50Yti_NR2cWdar803IWmmifSNiAyQy6axfZ_hVp-Pzmg/s1600/US60Audubon+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZlqiQCz6na-YzkW7kJAVYRcc1sk7xPLJRIvO1IkGzAFoeoKRJUIRdnDNYRlJWiDc6HiUExS4N6DBfCkDKxorSdYSVb50Yti_NR2cWdar803IWmmifSNiAyQy6axfZ_hVp-Pzmg/s400/US60Audubon+-+1.jpg" width="267" height="400" data-original-width="853" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>Happy and I were just looking for a quiet green space to take a walk, when we found a gem in Henderson, KY: <a href="https://parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/john-james/" target="_blank">John James Audubon State Park</a><br />
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During the Depression, local admirers of famous naturalist and bird illustrator John Audubon lobbied congress to create a park in his name.<br />
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From 1810-1819, Audubon had lived in the Henderson area, roaming the woods, finding and painting birds in their natural habitat. <br />
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As a result, a crew of some 150 young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps were dispatched to the area and worked for a number of years.<br />
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In 2005, this statue was erected in honor of their excellent and enduring work.<br />
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In the process, they built roads, campgrounds, picnic shelters, hiking trails, and cottages like the one shown below. They even hand dug the large lake in the background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ALXRbLN-YAgpc-9bORgvq4uxbouDUbrhHt1zwXISw2wmmODIgJwwAdwxGIM-na7qitU1yJHGmaRqhGE0Dc34OlGu_zc8DBbZJ75Iql4KUsph8UrPVgmfOexPArFCCDtl6Lw0NQ/s1600/US60Audubon+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ALXRbLN-YAgpc-9bORgvq4uxbouDUbrhHt1zwXISw2wmmODIgJwwAdwxGIM-na7qitU1yJHGmaRqhGE0Dc34OlGu_zc8DBbZJ75Iql4KUsph8UrPVgmfOexPArFCCDtl6Lw0NQ/s640/US60Audubon+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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The twin jewels of the facility are the Norman style museum building, in honor of Audubon's French heritage, and the Tudor style park headquarters, in honor of his wife's English background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xihCGhCgaEMFdGN9f9kiqibpJRosRAIyn0Hl5Dcg0XGwa_8KzKP6u1mj5Vqopb2-xVkkoEImrg6LrrU5lnk4Pbr-PJY-dCDh-amj9XAAylxi7YMONvfljmSyzfishFB-_nuLRw/s1600/US60Audubon+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xihCGhCgaEMFdGN9f9kiqibpJRosRAIyn0Hl5Dcg0XGwa_8KzKP6u1mj5Vqopb2-xVkkoEImrg6LrrU5lnk4Pbr-PJY-dCDh-amj9XAAylxi7YMONvfljmSyzfishFB-_nuLRw/s640/US60Audubon+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbkP3P0_QGinetLZ9I7xjg6veSRgMxpSH1X9OWo-Yl-uaUcwWBN1lyx7FITO8HXR9BqbJ7oaWZPRafSgIzAwzA2P9JWyQAZvKWdJ6W1nqBKnNlvEPK-B8yd1wojvH459GCNlPHQ/s1600/US60Audubon+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbkP3P0_QGinetLZ9I7xjg6veSRgMxpSH1X9OWo-Yl-uaUcwWBN1lyx7FITO8HXR9BqbJ7oaWZPRafSgIzAwzA2P9JWyQAZvKWdJ6W1nqBKnNlvEPK-B8yd1wojvH459GCNlPHQ/s640/US60Audubon+-+4.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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Happy and I spent far more time there than we planned for a simple mid-day walk, but we could have easily stayed longer. The park is a lovely mixed-use facility that is well worth a visit for as long as you can spare, whether an hour, day, weekend or longer.Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-59870187193901662972019-09-25T15:31:00.000-07:002019-09-25T15:31:28.909-07:00US60: Northern KentuckyAlmost all of US60 across northern Kentucky is an excellent, hi-speed, two-lane roadway. It is worth noting that most of the roads in Kentucky are very well maintained. Maybe because of that, drivers tend to exceed the posted limits and will ride your bumper until passing at the barest opportunity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg692nUS2-osbq8mjE2NJ4V6gsxZE9r-Mg8FU5S0vvH4VRBnMD841R2Ck9w5YZbRd7yZcyhj9BfPN7MMHJQv7fSI7gTEiDzv9QPmbw_VFr3D8kTRG3DPOydMtevg_KvdZbqihwMrw/s1600/US60NoKY+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg692nUS2-osbq8mjE2NJ4V6gsxZE9r-Mg8FU5S0vvH4VRBnMD841R2Ck9w5YZbRd7yZcyhj9BfPN7MMHJQv7fSI7gTEiDzv9QPmbw_VFr3D8kTRG3DPOydMtevg_KvdZbqihwMrw/s640/US60NoKY+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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It's a pretty drive, but I didn't see anything especially noteworthy in the landscape. After a hard day of mountain driving, it was a pleasant cruise. Imagine periodic drive-throughs of various sized small towns (plus a couple of easily transited cities) and what you see is what you get.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ28yx3qx04LcXLVXfEhYvYDi84tfljXXMKy31fMZRj0QujPDpLTghLCP_kCngR7qjaspkTC32OLJHIEYzt_JS5kdqq5XT-LYJVX7cNvxTnhFiuBVZrLnuLHRk3lSzrcZFDEHJQ/s1600/US60NoKY+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ28yx3qx04LcXLVXfEhYvYDi84tfljXXMKy31fMZRj0QujPDpLTghLCP_kCngR7qjaspkTC32OLJHIEYzt_JS5kdqq5XT-LYJVX7cNvxTnhFiuBVZrLnuLHRk3lSzrcZFDEHJQ/s640/US60NoKY+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="230" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
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We have stopped in Shelbyville, KY, where we will visit with friends tomorrow... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-41538880576135938522019-09-24T16:09:00.000-07:002019-09-24T16:09:39.536-07:00US60: Midland TrailWest of Lexington, VA, there are some stretches of US60 where it is a rural or mountain two-lane road, but much of it is subsumed into and co-signed with I-64 as it crosses the mountains in earnest. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjCZNGqs5ynIMmvqAD8tGb8DGMqUL41Z0TBKHqV9WUjbHMQAl7oZY0vdJf11S9B0U_DZhEMWZ8PIFIAd0AiZTeVFON0FiEtWNbOxak9T2N3wboDVoKg6t2ijmrXz8uW_Zavm7BA/s1600/US60MidlandTrail+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjCZNGqs5ynIMmvqAD8tGb8DGMqUL41Z0TBKHqV9WUjbHMQAl7oZY0vdJf11S9B0U_DZhEMWZ8PIFIAd0AiZTeVFON0FiEtWNbOxak9T2N3wboDVoKg6t2ijmrXz8uW_Zavm7BA/s400/US60MidlandTrail+-+2.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwuhxsCy9m-sfS31ZZgV_Rab8DIn0tjx1xBaUsJ2P1Yfp5UlwnqA068v0-Vus1yHjiSRycfihNauzJGjxvHrE8_fXhnyPFseDpbZAMLcdG0PBKP37ei5ZCz5GK10Eh9Zj8HsAtA/s1600/US60MidlandTrail+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwuhxsCy9m-sfS31ZZgV_Rab8DIn0tjx1xBaUsJ2P1Yfp5UlwnqA068v0-Vus1yHjiSRycfihNauzJGjxvHrE8_fXhnyPFseDpbZAMLcdG0PBKP37ei5ZCz5GK10Eh9Zj8HsAtA/s400/US60MidlandTrail+-+1.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="502" data-original-height="378" /></a><br />
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Soon after you cross into West Virginia, US60 splits off on its own and becomes a wild ride through the mountains. You're in for either a thrilling or exhausting drive, depending on your personal taste.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQfoTWqOTgnFLw9Qe0kvPZmx-HCAz7fCVVaKOO8UzGZmAqtaLmx3NByB5647CJED0IOnBEfQWpNAhPgvG9LA4OjP8Q51e_Xk01NiS7aTAS74w1wUt-VZwJVzbriipZiLTPoYvJw/s1600/US60MidlandTrail+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQfoTWqOTgnFLw9Qe0kvPZmx-HCAz7fCVVaKOO8UzGZmAqtaLmx3NByB5647CJED0IOnBEfQWpNAhPgvG9LA4OjP8Q51e_Xk01NiS7aTAS74w1wUt-VZwJVzbriipZiLTPoYvJw/s640/US60MidlandTrail+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="719" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_18qggjMxKArDFWpeKK42MkEcRR9k_YifKxvK4Ybwiw4eUFEoqMs2lcAJwmDaeeDyhl5Rld4vznaWodnfOslaXI4TTCN_ZNUHH7R84juqGU0L7d-jjlQwX5nDvUi3gD_cSYEBfA/s1600/US60MidlandTrail+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_18qggjMxKArDFWpeKK42MkEcRR9k_YifKxvK4Ybwiw4eUFEoqMs2lcAJwmDaeeDyhl5Rld4vznaWodnfOslaXI4TTCN_ZNUHH7R84juqGU0L7d-jjlQwX5nDvUi3gD_cSYEBfA/s400/US60MidlandTrail+-+4.jpg" width="171" height="400" data-original-width="547" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>For a solid couple of hours, you'll face steep uphill twists followed immediately by steep downhill twists. It's a pretty road that could be fun in a nimble vehicle. I do not recommend it for trailers<br />
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Throughout West Virginia, US60 is co-signed as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midland_Trail_(West_Virginia)" target="_blank">Midland Trail</a> which has a story that is worth reading all about in the link. Meanwhile, here's the gist:<br />
<blockquote>"The Midland Trail follows the route of the historic James River and Kanawha Turnpike, an early road linking canals in the James River in Virginia with the navigable portion of the Kanawha River in West Virginia. It crosses some of the most rugged terrain of the Mountain State. The trail is believed to have been originally carved into the mountains by buffalo and native peoples. In 1790, George Washington ordered the trail cleared. The trail came to be traveled by stage coaches and soldiers in the Civil War."</blockquote>Happy and I take many breaks on our road trips, especially when we spend a lot of time on a road like this. <br />
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Our favorite stop of the day included a pretty little walk in Hawk's Nest State Park to this overlook of the New River:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUOEMWKWruVrprHOuBJGjKFCbz-DZl-SyKic7qYluvWfxUeDLjfYw2U2nWDanHAzH4jvBLc6FZCHqfEElWd-dcVXE7goXP1DW1WjrDWS-GWsT_g0FRAzZdX9x1AjcOQ_QKZSIlw/s1600/US60MidlandTrail+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUOEMWKWruVrprHOuBJGjKFCbz-DZl-SyKic7qYluvWfxUeDLjfYw2U2nWDanHAzH4jvBLc6FZCHqfEElWd-dcVXE7goXP1DW1WjrDWS-GWsT_g0FRAzZdX9x1AjcOQ_QKZSIlw/s640/US60MidlandTrail+-+5.jpg" width="576" height="280" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="621" /></a><br />
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After that break, it was more of the same until we finally got down off the mountains to river level.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAO2sv8fy0bfGjvEQQZ5gG-AvpFyFJrdO9ePDi1WwUYOad1en5OJlHqlGjcCooFjxpjDZ8ifAQMO78dsc7CJLVJyUeb1CPRN095MoLyzBotH7_XmiKu6K-azXJg0FwysNGrcaXrA/s1600/US60MidlandTrail+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAO2sv8fy0bfGjvEQQZ5gG-AvpFyFJrdO9ePDi1WwUYOad1en5OJlHqlGjcCooFjxpjDZ8ifAQMO78dsc7CJLVJyUeb1CPRN095MoLyzBotH7_XmiKu6K-azXJg0FwysNGrcaXrA/s640/US60MidlandTrail+-+6.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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From there it was clear, smooth running down the river valley, through picturesque little towns nestled between the mountains and the river. By the time we reached Charleston, the river had become the Kanawha, and US60 became a four-lane urban service road. The road then becomes a high-speed two-lane rural road until it approaches Huntington and reverts to four-lane urban status.<br />
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We have stopped for the night just over the Kentucky border in Ashland... Stay tuned!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-80853699426672681492019-09-23T18:51:00.000-07:002019-09-23T18:51:51.243-07:00US60 Detour: Appomattox Court HouseBarely 20 miles south of US60 lies <a href="https://www.nps.gov/apco/index.htm" target="_blank">Appomattox Court House National Historical Park</a>, a detour opportunity too good to pass up on a road trip like this. There are plenty of places you can get historical information, so I will only offer you my impressions of the park as a worthy place to visit.<br />
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First and foremost, the facility – described as a "partial reconstruction" by the Park Service – is beautiful, exquisitely maintained, and thoroughly exudes the gravitas of its place in history. The area map shows the location of all the original buildings, with the existing structures in full color and the ones that are missing dimmed. By my estimation, about a third of the original buildings are present in fully restored form, more than enough to make it seem complete.<br />
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The term "Court House" is used in Virginia to denote a county seat. Thus, Appomattox Court House is the county seat of Appomattox County. There is an actual courthouse, of course, which serves as the visitor center and information area. The films and displays inside are very well presented.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66enZjKNEUmpPMovWsuBaYjTQ_MwsfyapFnlr00Sdqz2VONBtwhzjJQQxcbrYdp2efm_kzrUcdxG3p7NCyYtzAgNa7uvxV5BaTZIFajkqj9tgTJjp3sfGQAJXWCqFMmgKcJhBcg/s1600/US60Appomattox+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66enZjKNEUmpPMovWsuBaYjTQ_MwsfyapFnlr00Sdqz2VONBtwhzjJQQxcbrYdp2efm_kzrUcdxG3p7NCyYtzAgNa7uvxV5BaTZIFajkqj9tgTJjp3sfGQAJXWCqFMmgKcJhBcg/s640/US60Appomattox+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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Nearby, the Clover Hill Tavern and Tavern Guesthouse offer an excellent example of the look and feel of the property. If it wasn't for the occasional sound of traffic on the service road, you could easily believe you are there "back in the day." All of the buildings are open for investigation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf_avz6173qrmFp6bcNlODuW4ldl6y4Ge8YNwbAL7Lsz1r4mjiPi-OcwPWEmS7Se5BbhQl8XfEDsosuY4QB0tWe2ko9CV85i5ocqiHFCiWT2qvgUKUEkKJ4QYYQGcplSb3aOhqQ/s1600/US60Appomattox+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf_avz6173qrmFp6bcNlODuW4ldl6y4Ge8YNwbAL7Lsz1r4mjiPi-OcwPWEmS7Se5BbhQl8XfEDsosuY4QB0tWe2ko9CV85i5ocqiHFCiWT2qvgUKUEkKJ4QYYQGcplSb3aOhqQ/s640/US60Appomattox+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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A very special treat is an informal presentation made by a historical figure – in this case the daughter of the tavern owner – describing the area, its people and experience as if "last April" was in the year 1865. I found her talk to be authentic, heartfelt and informative in every way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jy7siRIgIMHpnBJcBQ_I08XlxtFDWrpV_aKQThn6jnDmeftNPfzvzjXOh6LYJGsgihqrQLTbXhCfdb08-gwhTOlxHX7f_doRpD_qk984Gh0L2EXpw2WVhnZpwepa_vLtIkGXBA/s1600/US60Appomattox+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jy7siRIgIMHpnBJcBQ_I08XlxtFDWrpV_aKQThn6jnDmeftNPfzvzjXOh6LYJGsgihqrQLTbXhCfdb08-gwhTOlxHX7f_doRpD_qk984Gh0L2EXpw2WVhnZpwepa_vLtIkGXBA/s640/US60Appomattox+-+2.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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The famous surrender did not actually take place in the courthouse, but in the thoroughly preserved and restored McLean House. Like all of the buildings, it is fully and authentically furnished.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qfjvi_BJZQhhwxTBuvYFpgnP1YV2dfi-9ElDzK2kNh-F4-8KKkG4tMJWKs92lBxNAm_ptpIFSyrt04Dp_M53a0HJPWgbVu_AzZS9dm8Rz_TUSC1EVjptiWOL8EBA49kc6SyfmA/s1600/US60Appomattox+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qfjvi_BJZQhhwxTBuvYFpgnP1YV2dfi-9ElDzK2kNh-F4-8KKkG4tMJWKs92lBxNAm_ptpIFSyrt04Dp_M53a0HJPWgbVu_AzZS9dm8Rz_TUSC1EVjptiWOL8EBA49kc6SyfmA/s640/US60Appomattox+-+4.jpg" width="576" height="324" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a><br />
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The iconic room where Lee and Grant agreed to surrender terms is far smaller than the famous painting would lead you to believe, but as far as I can tell it is authentic in every detail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLozU0Ey5OdHaZhGh9eI0IfYbFJrre4HF6vTuR7BP8k67XyYZ6xM9U25u9UopKhR5MGN66zjpdgAVMq9rO3f9IpL10Bq4CSaLrZzfKReu3Wvwzo814y64DtyNb3bemNLmMGW7Teg/s1600/US60Appomattox+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLozU0Ey5OdHaZhGh9eI0IfYbFJrre4HF6vTuR7BP8k67XyYZ6xM9U25u9UopKhR5MGN66zjpdgAVMq9rO3f9IpL10Bq4CSaLrZzfKReu3Wvwzo814y64DtyNb3bemNLmMGW7Teg/s640/US60Appomattox+-+5.jpg" width="576" height="289" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="642" /></a><br />
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Because of my fairly extensive previous knowledge of the history, events and significance of Appomattox, my two-hour visit was long enough to give me an ample sense of its physical reality. If you don't know much about it, you could easily and profitably spend the better part of a day there. Strongly recommend!Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-85706637240688733492019-09-23T17:52:00.001-07:002019-09-23T17:52:05.813-07:00US60: Crossing Middle Virginia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6C2DmOSYBQF2p4rUpvXVe7H2ZoESc5rGRB0NEEyJIqMl7iEsR577Iu7wxy5DxUjes8skljY2PBJeR85XnGKn-9dZGGSrgp5n7SM0-K2DftYXdNdZamUJFZ7bNWJqDqeMcoCnig/s1600/US60MidVA+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6C2DmOSYBQF2p4rUpvXVe7H2ZoESc5rGRB0NEEyJIqMl7iEsR577Iu7wxy5DxUjes8skljY2PBJeR85XnGKn-9dZGGSrgp5n7SM0-K2DftYXdNdZamUJFZ7bNWJqDqeMcoCnig/s1600/US60MidVA+-+2.jpg" data-original-width="220" data-original-height="220" /></a></div>Fair warning: Driving US60 west through Norfolk, Hampton and Newport News is a challenging exercise in road sign following. Even with all my experience, I still missed a couple of turns and had to backtrack. <br />
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I think the problem stems from all the waterways, naval facilities, railways, etc. in the area, each of which seems to require a set of quick, unexpected turns. Whatever the reason, be prepared for a challenge.<br />
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Thankfully, the road starts to open up when you hit Williamsburg, and becomes a decent little roadway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSXj7BdvrvaSP9LA1e5bvemdZUMq2pkZGBsVUYzVWtQKjdC7DsJZecs50VWGhjLwbU0MoYEanxA5d7jB98ymCUVM8uW8dapuVg8pRQ_QOihz291mOxa4lklCPE7imvTxAu2tYqQ/s1600/US60MidVA+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSXj7BdvrvaSP9LA1e5bvemdZUMq2pkZGBsVUYzVWtQKjdC7DsJZecs50VWGhjLwbU0MoYEanxA5d7jB98ymCUVM8uW8dapuVg8pRQ_QOihz291mOxa4lklCPE7imvTxAu2tYqQ/s640/US60MidVA+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="288" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="640" /></a><br />
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I have been to Williamsburg before, so I wasn't highly motivated to stop there. I was thoroughly discouraged when I saw how built up the area is, and had no trouble continuing on to Richmond.<br />
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A relatively low-drama transit of the Virginia state capital is followed by a mind-numbing number of miles along a heavily stop-lighted suburban arterial. Just about the time you're ready to loose your mind, you cross the western beltway and are quickly on a thoroughly delightful country highway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYDGhpN3S9PG_ugzIVFnqeTR_oMN9meCvff18qYDp68y9HOr2jv3j8MZlI-efpx1nFhnyEFALlzlhmtGnUYUuYsM0wWrzLq85pw5SYbDo4CFggbvNbtmSGri4Sq0Mhel4l1Fjhw/s1600/US60MidVA+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYDGhpN3S9PG_ugzIVFnqeTR_oMN9meCvff18qYDp68y9HOr2jv3j8MZlI-efpx1nFhnyEFALlzlhmtGnUYUuYsM0wWrzLq85pw5SYbDo4CFggbvNbtmSGri4Sq0Mhel4l1Fjhw/s640/US60MidVA+-+3.jpg" width="576" height="288" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="640" /></a><br />
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Continuing west, the road increasingly rolls over the gentle foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains ahead. An unexpected treat is a tidy little wayside honoring Robert E. Lee and a historic moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilp3QSUv0SITWBv0S6UH22s1eNGoiOP-msO9If4NVHBb-4FZfQJZO9lZgR9Z2yStnvNAPxyADYOo7Vzb2TG9DWgIJDzBE7KIflRn1_2CwDgoGnwFYzbnJztt1pFmogjh2XhRQgA/s1600/US60MidVA+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilp3QSUv0SITWBv0S6UH22s1eNGoiOP-msO9If4NVHBb-4FZfQJZO9lZgR9Z2yStnvNAPxyADYOo7Vzb2TG9DWgIJDzBE7KIflRn1_2CwDgoGnwFYzbnJztt1pFmogjh2XhRQgA/s400/US60MidVA+-+5.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9T0G7J4BxeoKaGkZLc8vuIMYqGBwErVpAJKQcN5WldJ5uBlgDh_qDqd9ImvBvCNTLujvWyjDaBTJxH2tgEl_tEFFAyWy5rvItvyRH-imvWO9kfQu5TAegT87PjytT3p-kwlKUgQ/s1600/US60MidVA+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9T0G7J4BxeoKaGkZLc8vuIMYqGBwErVpAJKQcN5WldJ5uBlgDh_qDqd9ImvBvCNTLujvWyjDaBTJxH2tgEl_tEFFAyWy5rvItvyRH-imvWO9kfQu5TAegT87PjytT3p-kwlKUgQ/s400/US60MidVA+-+4.jpg" width="284" height="284" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="1280" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBk6763Ss4Rf3j5vn6TSWBxy9tz9HaFhXmUgI5g6kG8hCPvJT176rqKdRSagWOwbFU7JPR1Becl8o44ikom4w__W1D1JEN6vNk_v1XjnTY_QVfytvDOsiyKMhXEUNVojZ1yxw3Q/s1600/US60MidVA+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBk6763Ss4Rf3j5vn6TSWBxy9tz9HaFhXmUgI5g6kG8hCPvJT176rqKdRSagWOwbFU7JPR1Becl8o44ikom4w__W1D1JEN6vNk_v1XjnTY_QVfytvDOsiyKMhXEUNVojZ1yxw3Q/s320/US60MidVA+-+6.jpg" width="284" height="213" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="960" /></a></div>There isn't any additional information on offer, but it's a nice place to take a breath after the urban congestion you've been through.<br />
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A few miles down the road, there is a cut-off for nearby Appomattox Court House, which I will post about next.<br />
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Eventually, US60 climbs up the Blue Ridge Mountains, crosses under my old friend the <a href="http://macgellan.blogspot.com/search/label/SkylineBlueRidge" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>, and descends into Lexington, VA, where I have stopped for the night.Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17121960.post-64488837448988220642019-09-22T10:42:00.000-07:002019-09-24T16:19:30.657-07:00US60: Another Unmarked Beginning[Note: This post has been updated with new information below]<br />
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This is where US60 begins in Virginia Beach, VA, at the intersection of Pacific Avenue with 5th St.:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR7PNMmXwdwiG5rlR6U990vCb3J4epxxNjW74tsNgRXIo34nmvR95AcigG5MyVRvMgg7lJ6Uu9G7ivAsnbgY21olCtSd97TGxSjkoLlOjREMlVuc3nFFZYh3i_tTUFb4nX92Fsg/s1600/US60Begin+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR7PNMmXwdwiG5rlR6U990vCb3J4epxxNjW74tsNgRXIo34nmvR95AcigG5MyVRvMgg7lJ6Uu9G7ivAsnbgY21olCtSd97TGxSjkoLlOjREMlVuc3nFFZYh3i_tTUFb4nX92Fsg/s640/US60Begin+-+1.jpg" width="576" height="212" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="471" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopaQ92u_wlAzXko47zAlbuPxXbHLz8ecAB-fLfjFqf9JoE6LLnrVsLWCnvvrys8jHNYX6q1WJXJX8TSPrL1rKzS8C55PvREmdCjtTG_dft9MNvhE2oLsaz158ckQzh8dx4Cushg/s1600/US60Begin+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopaQ92u_wlAzXko47zAlbuPxXbHLz8ecAB-fLfjFqf9JoE6LLnrVsLWCnvvrys8jHNYX6q1WJXJX8TSPrL1rKzS8C55PvREmdCjtTG_dft9MNvhE2oLsaz158ckQzh8dx4Cushg/s400/US60Begin+-+3.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="583" data-original-height="583" /></a></div>You wouldn't have any idea of that by looking at it, however, due to a complete lack of US60 signage at or anywhere near the intersection.<br />
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I walked for several blocks in both directions and couldn't find any indication that a major transcontinental highway started or ended here.<br />
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By now, you surely know this is a pet peeve of mine. I honestly don't understand why so few US Highways have Begin/End signage.<br />
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For our purposes, this photo and map will serve to confirm that my coast-to-end drive of US60 has officially begun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dTPMCpaCiia18oxwtu3b6_r27J_JnoBKW_D83wVln3bLiy00t0-AUZlHJTkNc1Ot8oHvzNh6ZMK1ZwP2PL4tfI7xr_9c3URQT-7yoOSj80PrZE8U0-HIQVaLgIkBkPmC_9ytvg/s1600/US60Begin+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dTPMCpaCiia18oxwtu3b6_r27J_JnoBKW_D83wVln3bLiy00t0-AUZlHJTkNc1Ot8oHvzNh6ZMK1ZwP2PL4tfI7xr_9c3URQT-7yoOSj80PrZE8U0-HIQVaLgIkBkPmC_9ytvg/s400/US60Begin+-+2.jpg" width="286" height="400" data-original-width="915" data-original-height="1280" /></a></div>The first US60 sign doesn't appear until several miles north.<br />
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You really have to be looking for it to see it, however, due to it being heavily overgrown by local flora.<br />
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I'm hopeful that signage will be substantially more apparent going forward, since following them is pretty much my only way of knowing that I'm on the right road.<br />
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US60 is just about the last of the transcontinental US Highways left for me to drive, and I'm looking forward to a tour through the heartland of America.<br />
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I don't have a plan for this road trip, with no real idea of what I'll see or where I'll stop.<br />
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Stay tuned!...<br />
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[UPDATE]<br />
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Apparently, there is at least a US60 "End" sign in Virginia Beach, across the bridge to the south from where the road supposedly starts. I could blame the internet, but I hold myself accountable instead. After all these years, you'd think that I would know: a) don't trust everything you read on the internet; b) look in both directions from where you think the road starts; c) do the homework before you rant!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ruLZasDA3Q4gsE4vLgWjmUjJRRj-qbu5h6izbBf5pfMzm-pHaiIHCC1pyYjmVBpbPy2uVCRpE_JPhXCR9oC2mPMv1K2XCdHQgaZYOFev8z_3TgpoBpv5p_7QJgaBfeyhQYHXpQ/s1600/U.S._Route_60_Virginia_Beach_Terminus_%252824906675810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ruLZasDA3Q4gsE4vLgWjmUjJRRj-qbu5h6izbBf5pfMzm-pHaiIHCC1pyYjmVBpbPy2uVCRpE_JPhXCR9oC2mPMv1K2XCdHQgaZYOFev8z_3TgpoBpv5p_7QJgaBfeyhQYHXpQ/s640/U.S._Route_60_Virginia_Beach_Terminus_%252824906675810%2529.jpg" width="576" height="576" data-original-width="1024" data-original-height="1024" /></a>Macgellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05414475206084334795noreply@blogger.com0