On the Road: My Solo Adventure Through National Parks
One summer, I went on the road for a solo adventure through some of our most iconic National Parks. Traveling from California to Minnesota and back in my trusty little Prius, I drove over 5,500 miles entirely by myself.
Some context for my inspiration…
My dad lives on the East Coast and had a milestone birthday approaching. My family wanted to celebrate together. We decided to meet in the middle at my sister’s house in Minnesota. While most people would just hop on a plane, I chose the more adventurous option! I really missed the cross country road trip adventures with my family in our old gray station wagon from when I was a kid. Some years later I’m writing this and my Prius is still with me. Only now, it has 190,000 miles on the odometer! It’s the best road trip car.
While planning, I set some goals… I wanted to visit a few out-of-state friends, see National Parks, try locally made coffee or whiskey in each state I passed through. Other than that, I wanted to leave my itinerary open for random stops and adventures. For overnights where I wasn’t staying with a friend, I booked an AirBnb (usually at or near a national park).
Just for fun…
This sign is featured prominently in the dining area at Badlands National Park. Tried their house red, it was ok. It was served cold (?). I am partial to the Golden State and most people are not going to South Dakota for wine anyways. It made me laugh though, because I wonder how many visitors at Badlands had to have asked for California wine to prompt posting this.
On the road to Minnesota
- From my California home, I stayed overnight in the Bay Area, Eugene (Oregon), Rexburg (Idaho), Jackson Hole and Casper (Wyoming). Finally four days later, I reached my destination – my sister’s house in the Minneapolis metro area.
- Key stops and sights while on the road: Seeing a pair of Golden Eagles in close range at Pinnacles National Park. When I reached Crater Lake National Park, I made a snow angel and threw a few snowballs in sunny, 80℉ weather. I drove the historic Oregon Trail route and saw wild horses running. On my second visit to Yellowstone, the geysers, grizzlies and wolves did not disappoint.
- Food and drink highlights: Bardenay Distillery in Boise, Calamity Jane Coffee in Custer (coffee was great and very much needed at that point in my drive, and the ambience felt what you think of the Wild West in the movies).
On the road back to California
- I took a different route back. When I left Minnesota, I drove south. I stayed overnight in Wichita (Kansas), Carlsbad (New Mexico), Phoenix (Arizona), and finally home!
- While on the road some of my key stops and sights: Brown vs Board of Education National Park Historical Site in Topeka (Kansas), exploring the caves and seeing the bats’ mass exodus at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico), lightning show in Phoenix.
- Food and drink highlights: Arthur Bryant’s BBQ in Kansas City (highly recommend, it looks like an old fashioned diner – food speaks for itself, they didn’t even take credit cards when I was there)
The best part about a trip like this is you can go at your own pace. If I saw something interesting (like a mustang sanctuary), I stopped to check it out. You do not always have to leave the country to have an adventure!
Some takeaways…
- Download your favorite playlist or audio book for a long cross country road trip! I wanted to listen to local radio stations. However, when I reached the Bible Belt it was no longer fun. Every single radio station was Christian rock, kids gospel, or straight up reading Bible verses…no ordinary music I could cruise along to not even country music. As a result, I ended up shutting off the radio and enjoyed some peace and quiet for a while 🙂
- The one negative experience was stopping for gas in Oklahoma near an I-35S exit. As soon as I stepped out of my car, four others there getting gas (all white) were staring at me. I went inside to pay and the store attendant asked about my California license plate and why I was such a long way from home in “God’s country?” When I walked back out to my car to fill up my car, two white male customers approached me in the parking lot. They commented that I didn’t look like I was from the area and that I should be on my way. The whole experience made me feel very uncomfortable and it’s something I’ll never forget. I have traveled to places that many Westerners would identify as dangerous; such as El Salvador or maybe even Egypt. However, I felt safer there than I did in Oklahoma…in my own country.
- While on the road, make sure you have quality transportation! I would not want to be stranded in some of the places I drove through! Your vehicle should be serviced regularly, and in good condition. I never worried about my car breaking down or having other issues. I have AAA, so my car receives regular maintenance. Even then, parks are usually remote and isolated.
