Lower 48
A journey across the American canvas with my co-pilot and beloved dog, Apollo.
- Start
- Sep 30, 2011
- End
- Oct 30, 2011
The idea
Why? Why would anyone want to sit in a car for long periods continuously and drive 8+ hours a day for about three weeks? My lovely wife says that these…
Route Map & Itinerary
This planning exercise has been very much like programming. Every night, I thought I had it nailed. Next day, when I looked at it, I would tweak the plan ever…
T -1
Thanks to my friends and family for all the positive thoughts and wishes. Here is a quote that my friend Frank shared with me that I found is quite profound:…
Day 1: CA, OR
I set off sharing a quiet moment with Jaya. By then, Jana had left for school, shouting goodbye to us as she left. Kavya left yesterday for a 3-day science…
Day 2: OR, WA, ID, MT
BTW, I spelt snowploughs the British way when I wrote yesterday. The signs here actually say snowplows :). Another comment I missed making - there was a curious billboard I…
Day 3: MT, WY
Here is the wrap on the trooper story. When he asked me for my license, registration & insurance, I gave him all that and my 48-state road trip story. He…
Day 4: MT, WY, SD
I visited a few rest areas in Montana. One particular rest area had a restroom that was pretty much that - a restroom! The only thing missing in the room…
Day 5: SD, ND
I should stop yearning for sun. I had to brave 6 hours of rain in today's trip from Rapid City, SD to Fargo, ND. There were several occasions when the…
Day 6: ND, MN, WI, IA
It was a remarkable beginning today. I didn't yearn for the sun, yet the day started with me driving east and viewing the sunrise just as we were entering Minnesota.…
Day 7: IA, NE, KS, MO
I had to spend a lot of time last night to figure out the best way to re-route myself and yet do NE & KS before reaching MO. I-29S was…
Day 8: MO, IL, IN, KY, OH
You've heard the phrase that it rains cats and dogs. Well, it did this morning when we woke up in St. Louis. I couldn't even take Apollo out for his…
Day 9: 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen RIP
My insurance company has determined that my old faithful Viggen is a total loss! I am so sad that I couldn't complete this adventure with her after having driven 96,348…
Day 10: The show must go on!
Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes, emails, phone calls over the past two days. When you are down on your luck, these words of encouragement certainly help. But…
Day 11: OH, MI, PA, NY
I usually would've left by 7 am local time. But had to do a later start as the car rental company didn't open until 9 am. By the time I…
Day 12: NY, VT, MA
It was an amazing start today. We went to Niagara Falls early in the morning - as a matter of fact, when we reached there by 7 am, there wasn't…
Day 13: MA, NH, ME, RI
Today was a fairly slow one, with minimal driving. We drove by New Hampshire and very quickly, into Maine. New Hampshire was very clear in its state motto: Live free…
Day 14: MA, CT, NY, NJ, DE
We bid farewell to Ravi & Mala, who so very reluctantly let me leave with Apollo on my journey forward. Don't worry, Diamond... in spite of all those comments from…
Day 15: DE, MD, WV, VA, TN
Nat & I relived the India vs. Sri Lanka 2011 WC finals, seeing the highlights before calling it a day. Nat was the ultimate gentleman! He remembered the bet he…
Day 16: TN, NC, SC, AL, FL
After the rough weather yesterday, today was very different. Dry, but chilly and windy at the start. In fact, when we crossed over to NC and took a break, it…
Day 17: FL, AL, MS, LA, AR
Pensacola, FL was the southeasternmost point of my journey. I have started bearing northwest towards home. The journey started with a quick re-entry back into Alabama, driving through Mobile and…
Day 18: AR, TX, OK, TX
October 22, 2011 I had originally planned to drive from Pensacola, FL to Amarillo, TX taking a direct route through rural Texas all the…
Day 19: TX, NM, CO
What a difference people can make in your day. I checked out of my motel, and the person was so cheerful, friendly as she bade me goodbye. I contrasted this…
Day 20: CO, NM, AZ, UT, NV
The penultimate day of the road trip started with us making our way to the Four Corners Monument. We reached there by 7:30 am and we realized that the monument…
Day 21: NV, CA, Home!
Home! When does it feel to be home? If you are on a 6-mile trip to drop your daughter to school, making that last turn in the street your home…
An epilogue and some stats
Few days have passed since I returned home. I didn't get a whole lot of time to reflect. I was tired - truly tired. I spent the first few days…